QC Technician

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there's more to being in business than just making a profit. That's the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it's never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It's about how you can grab everything that's within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It's about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we'll all be a little better off. It's that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN'S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

The Quality Control Technician Role: The Quality Control Technician role reports into a Quality Services Process Systems Technician or a Lead QA Lab Technician. As a site based Quality Services resource, this position also requires working closely with Operations, Maintenance, R&D, Production and Processing.
Every associate at Mars has the responsibility for the achievement of quality and food safety.

Key Responsibilities:

 Working knowledge of food safety.

 Perform activities of Quality Services as detailed in Quality Assurance Manual. Assure checks are documented clearly and cross referenced and traceable.

 Communicate results of routine QA tests to production personnel.

 Notify supervisory personnel and QS Supervisor of product quality or plant conditions which may have a negative impact on product, and work together to correct the situation.

 In the case of finished product, perform follow-up testing until situation is corrected and product disposition is resolved in a quality conscious manner.

 Maintain and report hold/reject product, and assure its proper disposition.

 Collect routine ingredient and finished product samples as required (detailed in QA Manual).

 Generate Quality Control reports as delegated by QS Supervisors.

 Assist with line trials to improve product, process, and packaging quality.

 Ability to work independently as well as within a team setting.

 Knowledge of Food Safety (HACCP), Quality Systems, and Good Manufacturing Practices.

 Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
 Technicians must honestly, neatly and completely document their observations so informed decisions regarding quality can be made

Other Responsibilities:

 May have to perform special non-routine tasks associated with corporate requests, projects and tests

 Support plant management in a like manner regarding non-routine assignments such as supply inventory and 'hold' re-evaluations

 Keep laboratory equipment clean and in proper working order unless repairs are beyond their capacity

 Collects composites, ERs, and Swab samples for Salmonella testing at Mars/outside labs (daily).

 Collects ERs and Swabs for Enterobacteriaceae testing at Mars/outside labs (weekly).

 Collects airborne mold samples for testing at Mars/outside labs (weekly).

 Other similar duties as assigned by supervisors

Physical/Environmental Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
 Must be able to stand on feet for long periods of time.
 Standing on a concrete floor
 Wearing proper personal protective equipment (hair net, bump cap, ear plugs, safety shoes, and uniform)
 Bending, stooping, twist, turn, standing for extended time periods, reaching, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 50 lbs
 Must be able to adapt to temperature and environmental extremes such as hot to cold, dust dirt and chemicals
 Able to work with minimal supervision
 Forklift assignments require OSHA certification and getting on and off frequently
 Able to work with minimal supervision
 Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
 Ability to move light to moderately heavy objects.
 Ability to visually receive and differentiate colors.
 Ability to understand written and printed material.
 Ability to understand verbal information.
 Ability to actively exchange ideas/thoughts with others.
 Ability to detect, recognize and judge differences or changes in sound.
 Ability to monitor machines or equipment to make sure they are operating properly; note changes in what machines measure or monitor.
 Ability to work varying shifts under stressful conditions such as heat, cold, high and or confined spaces and have mobility with ability to climb ladders and stairs and do repetitive bending and twisting.
 Ability to handle tools or equipment.
 Ability to work under tight schedules in high pressure situations.
 While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold; extreme heat; and risk of electrical shock.
 The associate is frequently exposed to vibration.
 The associate is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
 Be 18 years of age or older
 Have a High school diploma, GED or equivalent education
 Demonstrated competency in computer and pc software including MS Office and email
 Must be willing and able to work and accept varying shifts and schedules
 Ability to understand and effectively communicate in the English language
 Good basic math, reading and writing skills
 Good communication skills
 Ability to learn to operate quality control testing equipment
 Basic knowledge of personal computers
 Ability to work in a self directed manner with minimal supervision and a positive attitude
 High Level of mechanical aptitude and knowledge, with good skills in troubleshooting and problem solving
 Basic knowledge of Safety, Quality and Material Management Systems and procedures.
 Basic knowledge of food safety, GMP, GHOP, HACCP, SPC
 Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
Company-paid relocation is not available for this position.

Who Should Apply . . .
We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following behaviors:
 Team player
 Action oriented
 Problem solving abilities
 Strong communication skills
 Continuous self development

As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars Petcare North America offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health and dental care coverage, a retirement plan, a very competitive vacation plan and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits. If you're looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are called 'associates' and treated as such, then we want to hear from you. We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

Nearest Major Market: Reno
Nearest Secondary Market: Tahoe
Job Segment: Technician, Electrical, Outside Sales, Quality Assurance, Testing, Technology, Engineering, Sales