Quality Assurance Technician (Food Industry)

Location: Franklin Park, IL (On-site)

Schedule: Full-Time, 8-hour shifts (Monday–Friday)

Compensation: Starting at $18.00 per hour, with performance-based raises after annual reviews.

Position Overview

Olympia Food Industries – a family-owned producer of Greek and Mediterranean foods – is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to uphold our high food safety and quality standards. In this role, you will ensure compliance with all company, customer, and regulatory requirements (including GMP, USDA, SQF, and IFANCA) by monitoring production processes, verifying product quality, and meticulously documenting results. This is a fast-moving, hands-on position in a food manufacturing environment, requiring quick thinking, initiative, and strict adherence to protocols at all times. You will be a key player in preventing quality issues and ensuring that every product meets our specifications before it leaves the facility.

This position is best suited for individuals who are attentive to detail, adaptable, and dedicated. The work is rewarding but highly accountable – if you take pride in doing things right and can maintain focus in a dynamic environment, you will excel here.

Key Responsibilities

• Pre-Operational Checks: Perform daily pre-operational (“Pre-Op”) checks of production rooms, equipment, tools, and packaging areas, verifying cleaning effectiveness (via visual inspections and ATP swabs) and directing any needed re-cleaning. In addition, participate in a rotating weekly early-morning Pre-Op sanitation inspection to ensure the facility is spotless before operations begin.
• Quality Testing: Calibrate and test equipment and products to verify quality. This includes daily thermometer and sanitizer solution calibration, in-house sampling of products, and routine tests such as R.I. (refractive index), pH, fat content, as well as performing metal detector checks to ensure food safety.
• Process Monitoring: Monitor production lines and storage areas (dry, refrigerated, and frozen) for proper temperatures, labels, and hygiene. Ensure that all products and ingredients meet required specifications and that food safety standards are maintained throughout the shift.
• Compliance Enforcement: Enforce strict compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans, SQF procedures, and Olympia’s internal quality protocols (such as color-coded utensil systems). You’ll make sure USDA, SQF, and OSHA regulatory guidelines are followed on the floor at all times.
• Documentation & Reporting: Accurately complete all required quality records and paperwork each day (e.g. sanitation checklists, test result forms, HACCP forms, hold tags). If any issues or deviations are found, document them and report immediately to the Quality Assurance Supervisor for prompt resolution.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Production, Maintenance, and Sanitation teams to address any quality or safety concerns. This includes communicating equipment issues to maintenance, ensuring cleaning tasks are re-done when needed, and even training production staff on proper food safety and quality procedures periodically to prevent recurring issues.
• Continuous Improvement: Assist with special quality programs and tasks that keep Olympia at the forefront of food safety. For example, help with export certification processes and maintain product data in our Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) system as needed. You will also proactively suggest or implement improvements when you identify areas where we can do better.
• Safety & Cleanliness: Always maintain a clean and safe work area. Actively observe for any unsafe conditions or practices and correct them or escalate to a supervisor. Ensure that after any production changeovers, all equipment and utensils are clean/sanitized and the area is cleared of any contaminants before restarting production, to prevent cross-contamination.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education & Experience: High School Diploma or GED (required). Basic knowledge of food safety practices or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) is highly preferred. Prior experience in food manufacturing or quality assurance is a plus, but not required – we provide training.
• Detail Orientation: Meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to following instructions, checklists, and standard operating procedures. You must be able to strictly adhere to established protocols every time – this is critical for meeting USDA, SQF, OSHA and IFANCA regulatory requirements and ensuring product safety.
• Adaptability & Initiative: Ability to think on your feet and adapt quickly in a fast-paced production environment. The day can change quickly – one moment you may re-prioritize to address a temperature issue or a test result – so you need to stay organized, flexible, and proactive. We value team members who take initiative to solve problems properly.
• Work Ethic & Reliability: A strong work ethic, honesty, and dependability are absolute must-haves. This is a high-accountability role – you’re one of the last lines of defense for food safety, so we need someone who takes ownership of their duties and consistently delivers quality work. Punctuality and reliability in attendance are also crucial (especially on days when you're scheduled for the early Pre-Op rotation).
• Communication Skills: Clear communication in English, both spoken and written, is required for this role. You’ll be writing reports and must communicate with line operators and management about issues. (Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus, as many of our staff speak Spanish, but not required.)
• Computer Skills: Basic computer proficiency is needed. You should be comfortable using email and Microsoft Office (Excel/Word) to record data and report information. Experience with digital quality management systems or data entry is a bonus.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to work in a cold environment (production rooms are kept around 40°F) and to remain on your feet throughout an 8-hour shift. Must be able to climb ladders (10–14 ft) and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs unassisted as part of the job. The role involves frequent standing, bending, reaching, and moving around the facility, including in refrigerated and frozen storage areas. (Proper cold-room gear is provided for your comfort.)
• Flexibility in Schedule: Willingness to work early or irregular hours on occasion. While the standard schedule is day shifts, Pre-Op rotations at 4:00 AM and occasional overtime (with notice) are part of this position. We need team members who can reliably accommodate these requirements when it’s their turn.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Food Manufacturing Facility: Work takes place in our SQF Level 2 certified food production plant with a USDA inspector on-site. The environment is cold and clean – processing rooms are ~40°F, and other areas range from freezer storage at -10°F up to normal room temperature. (We provide insulated freezer coats and other gear to keep you comfortable.)
• Physical & Safety Conditions: This is a hands-on, physical job in a production setting. You’ll be standing or walking for most of the shift, climbing stairs or ladders, and occasionally lifting/moving items up to 50 lbs. You will be working around moving mechanical equipment (conveyors, mixers, etc.), so situational awareness and following safety procedures are critical at all times. We prioritize a safety-first culture – all employees are expected to follow lockout/tagout and other safety protocols diligently.
• Strict Hygiene Standards: Because we work with food, we maintain strict hygiene and sanitation rules. Personal Protective Equipment (hairnets, gloves, aprons, ear protection, etc.) is provided and must be worn as required. All jewelry (aside from glasses, wedding bands, & double clasp stainless steel medical bands) and personal electronic devices are not allowed on the production floor (per industry regulations) to prevent contamination. You will be trained on our gowning and hygiene procedures on day one.
• Team Culture & Accountability: Our facility runs on teamwork and high accountability. Everyone is expected to be punctual, focused, and cooperative. We support each other and have supervisors and experienced QA staff to guide you, but we also count on you to carry out your duties independently and responsibly. The pace can be very fast during production runs, and priorities may shift, but our team works together to get the job done right. Maintaining our certifications (USDA, SQF, Halal) is a team effort – and each QA Technician plays a crucial part in that success.

Training and Benefits

• Thorough Training: No prior QA experience? No problem. Olympia provides comprehensive in-house trainingon all necessary procedures, equipment, and quality programs. You will learn about USDA food safety regulations, SQF protocols, HACCP plans, and IFANCA Halal requirements specific to our products. We ensure you feel confident performing inspections, tests, and documentation before you’re expected to do them on your own.
• All PPE Provided: Your safety and comfort are important to us. We supply all required Personal Protective Equipment and tools you’ll need. This includes specialized refrigeration/freezer coats for cold areas, gloves, aprons, hard hats, two-way radios for communication, flashlights, black lights for sanitation inspections, and more – so you can focus on the job knowing you have the right gear.
• High Standards Facility: You’ll be working in a state-of-the-art facility that meets rigorous industry standards – we are an SQF Level 2 site with an excellent record. We take pride in maintaining a clean, organized workplace.
• Growth Opportunities: We believe in rewarding hard work and continual improvement. You will receive annual performance reviews, during which we set goals and evaluate your progress. Merit-based raises and promotions are offered to those who excel and help us achieve our quality objectives. As Olympia grows, there may be opportunities to take on more responsibility or advance within the Quality Assurance department for high performers.
• Team & Culture: Olympia Food Industries is a family-owned company that fosters a supportive, team-oriented culture where everyone’s contributions matter. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about food safety and willing to help you learn. We celebrate successes and uphold one another to high standards, knowing that our collective efforts keep our products safe and delicious for customers.

If you are a proactive, quality-conscious individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply! This role offers the chance to make a real impact on the safety and quality of the foods we produce. Join Olympia Food Industries and help us continue our tradition of excellence in every gyro, pita, and product we create. We look forward to learning more about you and how you can contribute to our team’s success!