1st Shift QA Technician, Senior - Woodrow

We are a leading manufacturer of premium, ready-to-eat link sausages and hot dogs. The company was founded in 2004 by four brothers, Chris, Joe, Mark, and Pete Salm. They partnered their individual talents together to create our organization, using the “partnership” concept as the cornerstone for our success. Since then, we have expanded and have two production plants with over 1,000 partners in Denmark, WI. In 2023, Johnsonville purchased Salm Partners to help grow not only its own ready-to-eat sausage business, but the ready-to-eat sausage category as a whole. The combination of the country’s most trusted retail sausage brand (Johnsonville) with the industry leading manufacturer (Salm Partners) has created a world class organization. We are committed to growth as a company and to our partners! Apply today and discover your opportunity to grow with us.

Position Overview

Ensures compliance with USDA-FSIS regulations, company programs and policies, and SQF requirements. Monitors product quality attributes; applies and maintains quality specifications; reviews & analyzes quality and process data; evaluates trends; documents performance measures; and recommends process changes. Conducts pre-operational and operational inspections and performs other activities required to maintain and document regulatory compliance. Assists with root cause analysis and quality improvement efforts. Assists with quality and food safety-related training of QA Technicians and production partners. Acts as Food Safety Representative.

This position is located at 590 Woodrow Street, Denmark, WI

Hours are Monday - Friday; Saturdays as needed 6am - 2pm

Responsibilities

- Perform all QA Technician duties in support of Operations and food safety.

- Interpret and communicate customer requirements to production and supporting teams.

- Monitor and review QA Hold Log.

- Conduct final review of HACCP, Prerequisite Program, SSOP and Pre-Op documents.

- Audit processes to ensure that customer requirements and product specifications are met; review nonconformance issues, conduct root-cause analysis, determine appropriate corrective actions and preventive measures, and assess effectiveness of preventive measures over time.

- Assist with statistical analysis of quality attributes and process measurements; develop data and trend analyses; evaluate trends and communicate findings to management.

- Participate in internal quality audits.

- Serve as a QA resource in the new project development process and subsequent new product rollout to production as needed.

- Monitor & document compliance with USDA-FSIS Regulations including food safety regulations on cooking and chilling, sanitation regulations, and labeling regulations.

- Participate in process-validation activities.

- Assist with activities related to label approvals and export projects.

- Aid in the revision of product specifications, product audits, inspection keys, QA & Food Safety forms & procedures, etc.

- Oversee calibration of technical equipment.

- Compile, write, and deliver training material to QA personnel on quality control standards, procedures and activities as needed.

- Participates in organoleptics to evaluate product for extended shelf life, formulation changes, etc.

- Support the SQF certification process and ongoing compliance.

- Maintain the Salm Wiki Sanitation program.

- Set up and read out data loggers.

- Perform foreign material investigation and reporting.

- Maintain In House Shelf Life Samples.

- Perform all other duties as assigned

Experience

A minimum of 3 years previous Quality Assurance experience in a USDA-FSIS-regulated food manufacturing environment is preferred, preferably with ready-to-eat processed meats.

Knowledge of Quality Systems, including Global Food Safety Initiative standards (e.g. SQF) and experience applying root-cause problem solving and other quality methodologies is very desirable. Previous experience with the USDA-FSIS label approval process is desirable. Basic understanding of meat processing and basic knowledge of USDA-FSIS regulations as they pertain to fully cooked meat & poultry sausage product is desirable. Previous experience with process improvement activities and documentation is also preferred.

Skills

Communication Skills
Must possess strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team. Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as operating and technical instructions, and procedure manuals. Must be able to interpret data, summarize it and present it in a meaningful, easy-to-understand fashion.

Computer Skills
Must possess strong computer proficiencies with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Previous experience with databases, Statistical Process Control software and Enterprise Resource Planning software (e.g. MAS 500) is strongly preferred. Hands-on experience with electronic data collection on the plant floor is highly desirable.

Mathematical Skills
Must have solid math skills, with the ability to calculate formulas and percentages, perform metric conversions and common statistical analyses, and interpret data.

Other Requirements

Reasoning Ability
Must have the ability to apply common sense in decision making and carrying out instructions furnished in written, verbal, and/or diagram form. Must have strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills. Previous training in, and application of, root cause analysis methodology is strongly preferred.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the partner is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The partner is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Must occasionally lift boxes of product weighing up to 30 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, far vision, depth perception and color vision. Must have a sense of taste and smell in order to complete sensory evaluations of product.

Work Environment
The work environment described here is representative of conditions a partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the office work environment is low, and while the production work environment is normally loud. A wide temperature range exists in different production areas, ranging from 35°F to 100°F. The production work environment is wet and slippery most times, and each partner is required to provide appropriate footwear to ensure firm footing in all conditions. Partners are required to wear frocks, hearing protection and hairnets at all times in the production areas. Gloves, goggles, face shields, rain suits, and rubber boots will be required at different times in the course of the work being performed.

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must have a strong attention to detail and be able to work with a high degree of accuracy. Must have flexibility to work weekends and other shifts as needed, potentially for 1-2 weeks at a time. Must be dependable, punctual, self-motivated, and capable of making sound decisions. Must also have completed HACCP Certification or be willing to become HACCP Certified.

Benefits and Compensation

Full-time Partners at Salm have access to a wide range of benefits designed to support their well-being and future. This includes a 401(k) with a company match, health, dental, and vision coverage, as well as an optional Health Savings Account (HSA). Salm also provides company-paid short-term disability and life insurance policies. Full-time Partners enjoy paid time off (PTO) and the opportunity to grow within a values-driven and team-focused environment. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and position.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Salm Partners is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.