Quality Assurance Technician (1-3)

As a Quality Assurance Technician in Auburn, Washington, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that our products meet the highest quality standards. Your responsibilities will include performing tests on incoming materials and bulk batch blends, adhering to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), maintaining accurate records, and conducting microbial testing. You'll also assist with compliance checks and help maintain lab cleanliness, ensuring that we deliver top-quality products.

To qualify for the Quality Assurance Technician position at our Auburn location, candidates should have completed postsecondary coursework in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field, or possess two years of relevant manufacturing quality or laboratory experience. While microbiology and QC/QA experience are preferred, familiarity with GMP environments will also be beneficial in excelling in this role.

A successful Quality Assurance Technician in our Auburn facility should have a knack for detail and experience in following established procedures accurately. Essential skills include strong math and analytical abilities, excellent communication and writing skills, and familiarity with standard lab equipment. Additionally, the role may require the capacity to lift materials weighing up to 60 lbs.

In the role of Quality Assurance Technician, you'll ensure compliance with quality standards by performing thorough testing, reviewing production batch records, and adhering to regulatory requirements. You'll monitor environmental conditions as well as batch processes, conducting inspections and communicating any non-conformances with management to maintain integrity in our products.

Career progression for a Quality Assurance Technician at our Auburn location can vary but typically includes advancement through different technician levels, gaining hands-on experience in varying capacities such as incoming material testing, batch release, and microbiological examination. With continued education and experience, you may also have opportunities to move into Quality Assurance Management or specialized roles within the quality department.

In an interview, highlight specific experiences that demonstrate your familiarity with GMP. Discuss how you followed GMP guidelines during testing processes and how you ensured that all compliance aspects were met. Use examples of how you maintained accurate records and performed inspections that adhered to GMP protocols.

When responding, emphasize the importance of meticulousness in QA tasks. Describe your methods for maintaining organized documentation, such as logging test results immediately after testing and using structured formats for SOP. Consider mentioning digital tools or software you have used for better accuracy and organization.

Frame your answer to showcase your problem-solving approach. Explain that you would immediately document the non-conformance, notify your supervisor, and follow the company's procedures to investigate and rectify the issue. Emphasize the importance of transparency and communication in such situations.

Be specific about the types of tests you've conducted, whether they are microbial tests, physical inspections, or pH adjustments. Highlight your proficiency with lab techniques and any relevant experiences that illustrate your effectiveness as a QA Technician.

In your answer, discuss your direct experience with microbiological tests, the procedures you followed, and how it relates to overall product quality assurance. Mention your awareness of how microbial contamination can affect customer safety and product integrity.

Answer by outlining your methodology for conducting environmental monitoring. This could include routine checks of lab conditions, sampling for microbial presence, and analyzing environmental data to ensure compliance with quality standards. Cite any relevant experiences where you successfully identified trends or issues.

Provide an example where you took charge of a high-priority project or task. Describe the steps you took, how you organized your time and resources, and how you ensured it was completed on time while maintaining quality standards.

Mention any specific software tools you have used for quality documentation, testing, or data analysis. Common tools in quality assurance include Microsoft Office for documentation and ERP systems for compliance documentation. Show that you are adept at learning new software as needed.

Describe your strategy for effective task prioritization under pressure. Talk about assessing tasks based on their importance and deadlines. Share an example from your past where you successfully managed multiple tasks while maintaining quality and compliance.

State that attention to detail, analytical skills, effective communication, and a strong sense of accountability are crucial for a Quality Assurance Technician. Back this up with examples from your experience that demonstrate how these qualities have contributed to your success in the role.