Hybrid Quality Assurance Field Technician at Organic Valley

Location – This is an onsite role that works at the McMinnville Creamery in McMinnville, OR. The shift schedule is Monday-Friday daytime hours.
Employee Type – Hourly
Bonus Eligibility – No
Safety Sensitive – Yes

If a company is going to make a difference in today’s world, it’s going to have to think differently. At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals and the earth.  We’re a mission-driven cooperative, owned by family farmers, and we’ve been leaders in organic agriculture from the very beginning.  Once pioneers of organic agriculture, we’re now an established leader.  Organic is all we do.  We are driven by our mission to promote regional farm diversity and economic stability by the means of organic agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic products.

Summary of Role
The Quality Assurance (Field) Technician is responsible for facility related quality assurance tasks at the Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative.  These tasks require interaction with a wide variety of members from Organic Valley Production, QA, Warehouse, Transportation, and Accounting Departments located at Cashton campus, McMinnville, and La Farge locations.  This is a safety sensitive role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Sampling and/or testing of ingredient, in-in process, or finished dairy products
• Maintenance and calibration of plant and laboratory equipment
• Monitoring and reporting of out of specification products
• Obtain and Maintain nessesary certifications for compliance with Food Safety, Regulatory and/or Testing programs
• Compliance and enforcement of the principles of GMP, HACCP and GFSI (BRC) standards.
• Follow and comply with applicable good manufacturing, safety, and quality assurance policies and practices.
• Perform facility audits.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor (track and document) all nessesary documentation, verification of documented tasks.
• Perform and report environmental swabbing.
• Monitor sanitation and chemical usage.
• Aid in Regulatory inspections
• Enter data and assist with compilation of quality assurance reports and technical documents as needed.
• Follow up and troubleshooting through phone, email and written communication when issues arise.
• Perform general clerical duties as assigned.
• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly lab sanitation duties.
• Assist with product archives, testing and studies.
• Participate in product shelf-life studies as needed.
• Other duties assigned by the QA Lab Supervisor or QA Field Manager

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum 2 years of experience with CROPP Cooperative, lab experience (dairy), or QA/QC practices with Production QA experience
• High School diploma plus post-secondary training in a lab setting.
• Associate or Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural or Laboratory Science field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to demonstrate strong math skills, such as dilutions and unit conversions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to obtain State Licenses and Food Safety Certifications
• Ability to multi-task several responsibilities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player.
• Willingness and ability to grow with a dynamic company.
• Must be willing to work evening, weekends, and holiday hours as needed.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.
• Self directed and willing to work on routine tasks.
• Ability to occasionally lift/carry up to 40 pounds.
• Provide R&D with support regarding testing of products.
• Monitoring, purchasing, and maintenance of QA Supply inventories and associated GL accounts.
• Train other QA (Field) Technicians on products, programs or procedures as assigned.
• Identify areas of needed improvement and work towards alignment across department.
• Support Product Specification generation and updates as needed
• Handles confidential information with discretion.
• Cross-train across locations to support department initiatives and CROPP Business resiliency
  

Base hourly wage range: $23.18 - $31.36 per hour
This hourly wage range is exclusive of fringe benefits. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary bonuses. If you are hired at CROPP, your final base hourly wage compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and/or experience. Additionally, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that entry-level candidates to this role should expect to be at the lower end of the hourly wage range and hiring at the maximum of the hourly wage range is not typical.

Benefits
We believe when our people are strong, our mission is strong. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive and holistic Total Rewards package meant to strengthen employees’ and their family's total wellbeing. Here are some of the great benefits offered: 

• Comprehensive Health Insurance - Choice of plans for you and your family, including some that can be paired with an HSA (which CROPP contributes to on your behalf)
• Supplemental insurances: we offer accidental insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Time Off – 136 hours in the 1st year of employment prorated by start date. Plus 9 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday to use at will. 
• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave – For all gendered partners in childbirth or adoption.
• Vision & Dental Insurance – Free annual eye exam, discounts on glasses/contacts, flexible dental network, adult ortho.
• 401k – We match 100% up to the first 3% of an employee’s contribution, and then 50% for 3.1%-5.0% of employee contributions.
• Free services at five local Neighborhood Family Clinics.
• Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per year to support continuing higher education.
• Life Insurance - $50,000 policy funded by CROPP for each employee. Supplemental voluntary coverage available for employees, spouses, and children.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D Insurance - $50,000 of life insurance coverage of $50,000 of AD&D coverage funded by CROPP for each employee.
• Employee Assistance Program - Free and Confidential for employees, spouses, and dependents.
• Free biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure) and health coaching.
• Financial advisors and seminars
• Annual $360 Lifestyle Spending Account