Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician
Department: Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Reports To: Manager FSQA
Site: US Waffle - Hazelwood
FLSA Status: Full Time; Non-Exempt
Updated: August 5, 2025

SUMMARY
Cérélia's newly established Frozen Breakfast Business Unit is driving an ambitious growth strategy, backed by two manufacturing facilities: US Waffle in Liberty, SC, and in Hazelwood, MO. To effectively support the rapid scaling of operations at our state-of-the-art Hazelwood facility, Cérélia is seeking a dynamic and skilled Quality Assurance Technician to join our team in Hazelwood, MO.

The Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for upholding product quality and food safety within assigned production areas by adhering to regulatory, company, and customer requirements. The position ensures all products meet established specifications, supports root cause investigations and corrective actions for deviations, and partners with cross-functional teams to sustain compliance and drive continuous improvement in safety, food safety, and quality initiatives.

Key Mandates
Ensure compliance with all regulatory, customer, and company standards

• Drive a culture of food safety and quality across the facility
• Promote continuous improvement practices and initiatives
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation for traceability and verification
• Escalate and help resolve issues impacting product safety, legality, or quality

Key Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Food Safety and Compliance:

• Conduct internal audits and equipment calibrations to verify food safety and product quality
• Investigate deviations, consumer complaints, and assist with root cause analysis
• Follow and enforce programs and policies that support SQF, regulatory, company, and customer standards
• Support the implementation, maintenance, and improvement of the SQF system
• Review production records and documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance
• Collaborate with other departments to implement corrective and preventive actions

QA/QC Duties:

• Perform timely qualitative and quantitative testing on raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods
• Accurately document test results and maintain records for traceability
• Troubleshoot testing instruments and support evaluation of test methods
• Assist with validation of production lines and equipment
• Escalate food safety and quality issues and assist with root cause and corrective action (RCA) efforts

Health & Safety:

• Perform all tasks safely, efficiently, and accurately to support optimal plant performance
• Adhere to environmental, health, and safety (EHS) policies and serve as an active member of safety initiatives

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 2 years of quality assurance experience (food manufacturing preferred)
• High School diploma or Equivalent required.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Quality Assurance, Food Science, Chemistry, or related field preferred
• Knowledge of food safety, microbiology, and sanitation concepts
• Familiarity with regulatory certifications (Kosher, Organic, RSPO, Non-GMO, Gluten Free) preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Communication and Analytical Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to apply mathematical reasoning to practical situations
• Highly organized with excellent troubleshooting and prioritization skills
• Able to think critically in a fast-paced environment

Other Skills and Physical Demands:

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Capable of standing, walking, bending, twisting, and lifting for extended periods
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds
• Interacts professionally with honesty, integrity, and respect

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position works in a manufacturing setting, with some outdoor exposure during the workday. The employee is exposed to airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

• Exposure to flour, oil, heat, cold and normal production chemicals, and hazards.
• Hair nets, ear plugs/muffs, gloves, boots, aprons and/or safety glasses/goggles may be required.
• Ability to frequently handle material from floor-to-waist, waist-to-shoulder, shoulder-to-overhead and pushing/pulling/carrying.
• Ability to constantly stand/walk; bend/flex/extend/twist neck and back; frequently grip/reach/lift/pull with L/R hands.
• Ability to tolerate humid, wet working environments with temperatures up to 100 degrees F.

OTHER DUTIES

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This is a Full Time, permanent position
• Non-Exempt position 40 hours per week, and it may require working additional hours depending on business need requirements.

TRAVEL

• None