Quality Control Technician - Food Safety

Dietz & Watson

Baltimore, MD

Pay: $19-$22/hr

**Quality Control Technician**

Are you passionate about food safety and committed to maintaining the highest quality standards? Join **Dietz & Watson** as a **Quality Control Technician** and play a critical role in ensuring the safety, quality, and integrity of products enjoyed by customers every day.

At Dietz & Watson, **Quality Above All Else** is more than a slogan. It is our commitment to food safety, product excellence, and continuous improvement. As a Quality Control Technician, you will serve as a key member of our food safety team, helping ensure compliance with company standards, USDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and HACCP requirements throughout the production process.

**Position Summary**

The Quality Control Technician is responsible for monitoring product quality and food safety throughout the production process. This role performs routine testing, inspections, and documentation to help ensure compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

**Essential Duties & Responsibilities**

• Monitor product temperatures throughout production.
• Collect and analyze environmental and product swabs, including Listeria, APC, ATP, allergen, cure, and sanitizer testing.
• Verify metal detector functionality, product weights, sizing specifications, batch accuracy, and Critical Control Points (CCPs).
• Perform visual inspections of products at various stages of production.
• Evaluate products to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications.
• Inspect packaging for accurate dates, codes, seals, labels, and overall package integrity.
• Conduct basic laboratory testing, including pH, salt, and Brix analysis.
• Monitor employee adherence to GMP and food safety practices.
• Verify compliance with HACCP programs and procedures.
• Accurately document findings on food safety records, production logs, food tags, and quality reports.
• Escalate food safety or quality concerns to appropriate personnel as needed.

**Additional Responsibilities**

• Communicate findings, trends, and recommendations clearly and professionally to supervisors and team members.
• Maintain accurate electronic and written documentation using Microsoft Office and other company systems.
• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality and food safety.
• Collaborate effectively with production, sanitation, maintenance, and management teams.

**Compensation & Benefits**

**Hourly Pay:** $18.50 - $21.50 per hour (including shift differential)

**Shift:** Mon through Friday 2pm to approx. 10:30 pm (OT and Sat as needed)

In addition to competitive pay, we offer:

• Weekly pay via direct deposit
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Employee product discounts
• Complimentary sliced lunch meats provided daily
• MTA transportation discounts

Minimum Requirements

**Required Qualifications**

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to follow established procedures, processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including different shifts and weekends as needed.

**Preferred Qualifications**

• 1-2 years of Quality Control or Quality Assurance experience.
• Experience in food manufacturing or food production environments.
• Knowledge of HACCP, SQF, GMPs, and USDA FSIS regulations.
• HACCP, SQF, or ServSafe certifications.
• Previous experience working in a USDA-inspected facility.
• Experience using quality control software or quality management systems.

**Working Conditions**

• Work is performed in temperature-controlled food production environments -refrigerated production areas (approximately 33°F), depending on the assigned work area.
• Position requires working in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Regular exposure to industrial equipment, conveyor systems, and production machinery.
• This position is considered safety-sensitive and requires strict adherence to all safety policies and procedures.

**Physical Requirements**

• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods, up to 8-12 hours per shift.
• Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions, including bending, reaching, twisting, grasping, and lifting throughout the shift.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to safely work around heavy machinery and conveyor systems.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and platforms a