QC Technician

The Quality Control (QC) Department at Voyage Foods ensures that all bean-free products and flavor compounds adhere to stringent quality and safety standards. This department oversees the quality testing of raw materials, in-process materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished products. Additionally, it manages batch control, in-house sensory evaluation, laboratory best practices, and compliance with food safety regulations. The QC team works closely with the HQ R&D team to refine sensory quality programs and testing protocols.

2.1 Raw Material and Incoming Goods Quality Control

* Inspection and testing of raw materials, including ingredients used in FG manufacturing and flavor compounds.

* Ensuring raw materials meet defined specifications for moisture content, fat composition, microbial safety, and physical properties.

* Managing supplier quality verification programs to uphold consistency in raw materials.

* Documentation and traceability of incoming goods for compliance and risk mitigation.

2.2 Process and In-Process Quality Monitoring

* Monitoring critical control points during key manufacturing steps (e.g., roasting, mixing, grinding, conching, tempering, compounding).

* Establishing statistical process control (SPC) to detect and mitigate quality deviations.

* Conducting real-time physical and chemical testing to ensure batch consistency.

* Overseeing calibration and maintenance of production equipment used in quality assessment.

2.3 Batch Control and Positive Release Program

* Implementing batch control systems to ensure every lot meets predefined quality standards.

* Managing batch records, including material usage, process conditions, testing results, and deviations.

* Leading the in-house sensory evaluation panel as part of the positive release program.

* Establishing corrective and preventive action plans for non-conforming products.

2.4 Sensory Quality and Evaluation

* Developing and maintaining in-house sensory panels trained to assess texture, taste, mouthfeel, and aroma.

* Coordinating with R&D to refine sensory lexicons and reference samples.

* Conducting regular sensory analysis on raw materials, in-process materials, and finished goods.

* Leading consumer acceptability testing and trend analysis to align with market expectations.

2.5 Laboratory and Analytical Quality Control

* Establishing and maintaining Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) for quality control testing.

* Performing chemical analysis, including fat content, moisture levels, pH, and viscosity.

* Conducting microbial testing to ensure products meet food safety regulations.

* Managing laboratory documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and test results.

* Introducing and validating new analytical methods in collaboration with R&D and regulatory teams.

2.6 Compliance, Documentation, and Regulatory Adherence

* Ensuring compliance with food safety standards (e.g., FDA, GFSI, SQF) and internal quality policies.

* Maintaining complete documentation of test results, batch records, deviations, and corrective actions.

* Conducting internal audits and participating in external food safety inspections.

* Training staff on quality control procedures and regulatory requirements.

2.7 Continuous Improvement and Cross-Functional Collaboration

* Engaging in root cause analysis with the Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) team.

* Participating in cross-functional teams to address quality concerns and optimize production efficiency.

* Leading projects focused on reducing waste, improving consistency, and refining processes.

* Collaborating with HQ R&D to develop and test new formulations, ensuring scale-up consistency.

3. **Integration with Flavor Compounding Operations**

* Ensuring raw materials used in flavor development comply with purity and concentration specifications.

* Conducting sensory evaluations and chemical analysis of flavor batches for consistency.

* Monitoring blending, extraction, and distillation processes to maintain product stability.

* Managing traceability of flavor components and final compounded products.

4. **Role in Food Safety and Quality Investigations**

* Investigating customer complaints and quality deviations.

* Assisting in CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) processes to resolve recurring quality issues.

* Coordinating with sanitation teams to ensure hygiene and allergen control protocols are met.

* Supporting the traceability program to quickly respond to potential product recalls.

5. **Communication with HQ and R&D**

* Providing HQ R&D team with real-time feedback on product quality, batch performance, and sensory evaluations.

* Collaborating on sensory validation studies and analytical method development.

* Assisting in product development scale-ups by ensuring production feasibility aligns with R&D formulations.

6. **Quality Control Laboratory Development**

* Implementing best practices for maintaining a world-class quality control lab.

* Acquiring and maintaining laboratory equipment necessary for robust quality testing.

* Training personnel on lab procedures, safety protocols, and data documentation.

* Establishing data management systems to track quality trends and performance.

Compensation

United States-based roles only: The wage for this role is between $24 to $28 per hour, plus immediate participation in our benefits program (health, dental, 401k, and many others), utilization of our generous paid time off, and, where applicable, participation in our incentive programs. All employees are owners of Voyage Foods and receive an equity grant as part of their total package. At Voyage Foods, we approach each individual's compensation with a promise of fair market value and internal equity commensurate with experience and specific skill set.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• STD/LTD, Life and AD&D policies
• FSA, HRA, and Mental Health Program Benefits
• 401K Program
• Commuter Benefits
• 20 Paid Days Off 
• Paid Family Leave Program

Voyage Foods is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Voyage Foods is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Voyage Foods will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check.