Department

Quality / Food Safety

Reports To

QC Supervisor (or designee)

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Position Summary

Responsible for confirming finished product pallets are correctly identified and ready for warehouse release. Primary duties include verifying pallet tag/barcode accuracy, product identifiers, lot traceability, case counts, and pallet condition (intact, clean, pest-free).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

A. Finished Pallet Verification / Release Readiness (Primary)

• Verify each finished goods pallet is properly tagged and the barcode matches the product produced.
• Confirm pallet tag data is accurate: product/item number (SKU), product ID, traceability lot/date code, and correct cases per pallet.
• Verify pallet integrity and load stability; ensure pallets are not broken or unsafe.
• Inspect for cleanliness and food safety conditions (no debris/contamination; no evidence of pests or pest activity).
• Place product on hold and escalate nonconformances immediately per procedure.

B. Documentation, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

• Review QC paperwork for completeness, accuracy, and legibility; ensure corrections follow Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
• Ensure holds, deviations, rework, and nonconformance documentation are completed per procedure.
• Support investigations for coding/tagging errors and GMP concerns; assist with corrective actions.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections as directed.

C. Cross-Training & Additional Responsibilities

• Cross-train with the QC Supervisor, QC Technicians and QC Receiving Inspector to provide coverage and support business continuity.
• Perform other related quality control and food safety tasks as assigned by department managers.

Authority

• Authority to stop or hold product and escalate quality or food safety concerns when identification, coding, sanitation, pest, or pallet-condition issues are observed outside of written product specification expectations and Job expectations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; college coursework in food science, biology, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of quality control experience in food manufacturing, packaging, or a regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, basic food safety principles, traceability/lot coding systems, scanning barcodes and tag verification, and documentation practices.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in a fast-paced production environment.
• Clear communication and correct in real time.
• Organized, dependable, and able to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Sound decision-making and holds self-accountable in performing job duties to meet the expectations of the department for the good of all in the company.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Mostly standing/walking on the production floor; repetitive motion and reaching.
• Ability to lift up to 40-50 lbs occasionally (samples or cases) as required.
• Ability to work in hot/humid or temperature-variable environment as the production floor is within a building without air conditioning or heating.
• Ability to wear required PPE (hair/beard nets, gloves, hearing protection, safety shoes, etc.).
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and shift schedules as needed.
• Ability to defend decisions to hold product that does not meet expectations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may change based on business needs. The employee is expected to perform other duties as assigned by management.