Quality Control Lead Technician

Cascade Coffee • Everett, WA

4d • $24 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

What does it take to create 1.7 BILLION cups of coffee a year? Ask Cascade Coffee ! We are excited to announce that we are hiring a collaborative Quality Control Lead Technician! For more than 45 years Cascade Coffee has been the premier specialty coffee contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Specializing in roasting, grinding, flavoring, and packaging coffee, catering to the world’s finest coffee brands worldwide. Cascade works behind the scenes to provide innovation, world-class coffee roasting, and a wide variety of packaging options to highlight their loyal customer’s brands. Founded in 1977, the company operates from a 150,000 square foot manufacturing and roasting facility, more than 2 million pounds of green coffee storage facility, 50 million pounds annually of coffee roasting capacity as well as multiple roasting lines, flavor mixing systems and 14 automated packaging lines. The Quality Control (QC) Lead Technician is an integral part of the quality control team and will function as an internal and external auditor for the facility based on company requirements. The lead technician interfaces directly with the QC Supervisor on all quality control and compliance issues and assesses compliance with quality standards and initiatives. This requires working closely with the production department.

Requirements

• Experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), SQF Level 2 standards, Food Safety and Quality programs.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience in using Microsoft products (e.g., Office 365, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work with lab equipment, such as moisture meters, brewers, grinders, Agtron, Malvern, and Mocon instruments.
• Self-motivation, ability to work independently and within a team environment, strong follow-up, organization, prioritization, and attention to detail are required.
• Ability to work under pressure (in a highly fast-paced environment), meet deadlines (overtime work required), and make effective decisions.
• HACCP certified.
• Minimum 2 years of practical industry experience is required.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer Cascade policies and procedures and carry out personnel objectives and programs within the Quality Assurance department.
• Coordinates with Quality and Production Supervisors on various quality issues
• Conducts daily plant inspections for any GMP/Product Protection violations.
• Assists production in filling out all necessary QC paperwork.
• Performs sensory evaluation on raw materials and finished product.
• Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues utilizing quality tools (cause and effect, process mapping, statistical methods, etc.) to document corrective actions effectively.
• Regular reporting of measures that communicate process outputs relative to Quality metrics and customer requirements/specifications.
• Develop and document standards in compliance with good manufacturing practices, government entities, and production plans (e.g., USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, Organic, Kosher, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory mandates.
• Audit production processes and the food Safety and Quality Management system.
• Record, document, and evaluate consistency with the customer.
• Responsible for collecting all required samples for customers and external laboratory testing.
• Coordinate testing of in-process materials according to a regular/randomized schedule to aid quality control efforts.
• Monitor defined checks/tests to ensure product conformance before releasing the product out of site control.
• Monitor coffee operations quality checks, including Roasting, Grinding, and Flavoring procedures.
• Perform laboratory testing according to customer specifications, including, but not limited to, moisture testing, caffeine testing, and whole bean breakage testing.
• Upholds and provides safe, high-quality, consistent products, and superior services that anticipate, meet or exceed the requirements of our customers.
• Collect foreign material collections and record findings in appropriate software.
• Supports Cascade Coffee’s Food Safety Culture by adhering to all company policies and procedures and by following proper protocol when a Food Safety risk is identified.
• Attend all shift huddles (pre- and post- shift).
• Responsible for enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices and other quality-related policies to ensure product quality standards are met.
• Train, supervise and delegate tasks to QC Technician employees.
• Conducts new employee safety and facility tours.
• Maintains a hands-on approach to management and is present and available to employees.
• Oversee the activities of Technicians and all other non-management personnel and oversee temporary workers as assigned.
• Maintains a direct approach to management and is present as well as available to employees.
• Motivates employees and directs their day-to-day activities.
• Counsel employees on job performance issues as necessary and inspire employees to attain the goals developed for each job function.
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• Healthcare benefits | Multiple coverage levels of medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401k Roth or Pre-Tax options | $1 for $1 match and once eligible to enroll, ZERO vesting period
• Long Term Disability and life insurance | Company provides coverage for all
• Voluntary Life, Disability, Accident & Critical Illness | Various insurance programs are offered to support your needs
• Employee Assistance Program | To support you and your family’s overall wellbeing to achieve your best and most productive self
• Sick and Vacation plans | Cascade understands the vital importance of a quality work/life balance
• Pet insurance | Multiple coverage levels for whatever best suits your furry (or not so furry) friend
• Cascade Cares | Exciting engagement programs each month
• Leadership Training | We invest in and dedicate time to training some of the best leaders in the industry

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree