Lassonde Pappas & Co. (formerly Old Orchard Brands) is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we’ve been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you’re passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee’s total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Quality Assurance, the Quality Assurance Lead Technician is responsible for administrative, investigative, and reporting tasks surrounding the following contract manufacturing quality programs: complaint management, corrective action and preventative measures, corporate sampling, document reviews, hold logs, and other quality-related responsibilities. This role is based out of our Sparta, Michigan location.

Primary Responsibilities include:

Oversee the QA Holds process alongside department managers, maintaining open lines of communication. Ensure all hold products are organized and reported product counts are accurate.
Partner with Production and Accounting to complete and process CAPA reports and maintain the CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventative Action) log.
Monitor and improve the quality assurance process along the production line.
Oversee SQF program; maintain and update product specification binder with new products or formula changes. Complete and file PDRs and HACCP logs, ensuring consistency. Partner with SQF auditors during inspections to answer questions or concerns.
Train technicians on the floor, making sure that the product is within specifications while verifying and ensuring that proper packaging and coding are being used. Review the HACCP records, pasteurization charts, and records for finished products.
Conduct swab collection throughout the facility and perform corrective action as needed following the environmental program procedure
Maintain contract manufacturer’s information in TraceGains and other related registries.
Assist with communication with contract manufacturing facilities.
Assist with general activities of the quality department as required, including the maintenance of various files and information systems including customer specifications, general correspondence and product manuals, and label/product QC hold database.
Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Required Qualifications

At least two (2) years of professional experience within a manufacturing setting.
Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Experience with SQF
Experience in the food/beverage industry
Previous quality or auditing experience
Must be detail-oriented and have the ability to multi-task
Proven organizational skills
Use and understand Microsoft Office
Must have excellent time management skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office/laboratory setting; driving a motor vehicle and occasionally working in the field.

FREQUENT: sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to include extended periods of keyboard and mouse use, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at the waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials.

OCCASIONAL: squatting, kneeling, reaching above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20 – 35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

VISION: Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction.

HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.