Quality Control Technician (Onsite, Columbus, OH)

Reports to:Director of Quality Management

Department:Quality & Food Safety

Location:Columbus Ohio

FLSA Classification:Hourly Non-Exempt

Compensation:$24.50 - $29.00/hour

Paleovalley and Wild Pastures were born from a simple but radical idea: real food can heal people animals and the planet. When Paleovalley co-founders Autumn and Chas Smith saw how industrialized food was affecting human health and the health of the land they refused to play along. Autumns own journey of healing through nutrient-dense foods lit a fire that became Paleovalley. From there the mission grew roots sprouted wings and eventually expanded into Wild Pastures to bring regeneratively raised meats directly to families nationwide.

Today Paleovalley crafts deeply nourishing snacks and supplements made with organic ingredients and honorable sourcing. Wild Pastures connects small American farmers practicing regenerative agriculture with customers who believe better food is worth fighting for. Every product every partnership and every decision is guided by a commitment to real ingredients regenerative practices and the belief that health is built from the soil up.

Were a team of grounded doers curious thinkers bold builders and warm humans who like to laugh while doing meaningful work. Were growing quickly fueled by purpose and a shared desire to repair the food system one thoughtful choice at a time. If you feel energized by impact drawn to mission and ready to join a company rewriting the future of food wed love to meet you!

The Quality Control Technician serves as the primary onsite Quality & Food Safety representative at their assigned Paleovalley and Wild Pastures warehouse. This hands-on technical role helps ensure products are received stored handled and shipped in accordance with company quality standards product specifications food safety requirements and applicable FDA and USDA requirements.

Working independently onsite and in close partnership with the broader Quality & Food Safety team the Quality Control Technician performs and evaluates Quality inspections and verification activities addresses routine Quality issues within established procedures and authority initiates Quality holds when needed maintains accurate Quality records and escalates elevated-risk or complex FSQA concerns to their supervisor. The role also identifies trends recurring issues and opportunities to strengthen onsite Quality processes and controls.

• Serve as the primary onsite Quality & Food Safety resource for the assigned warehouse independently applying established standards and technical knowledge to identify address document and escalate Quality and compliance concerns.
• Perform routine Quality and Food Safety inspections of incoming stored returned and outbound Paleovalley and Wild Pastures products and shipments including transportation conditions packaging labels and lot information shelf life temperatures and other established criteria.
• Collect product samples as needed in accordance with established procedures and coordinate shipment to approved laboratories for testing.
• Control nonconforming or potentially compromised product by initiating Quality & Food Safety holds or quarantine maintaining required documentation and product controls and coordinating with the supervisor on disposition and release decisions.
• Conduct warehouse Quality & Food Safety verification activities monitoring GMPs sanitation pest control storage and segregation temperature controls product rotation allergen/cross-contact controls and other conditions that may affect product safety quality or compliance; maintain applicable pest-control accounts and records.
• Maintain accurate Quality and Food Safety records and data in Acumatica and other approved systems including inspections holds nonconformances temperatures product conditions and supporting documentation; identify trends or recurring concerns requiring follow-up.
• Document product-quality concerns and support supervisor-led investigations including customer returns damaged or compromised product freight damage and other nonconformances by gathering relevant records observations photographs and supporting information.
• Support traceability mock recalls recalls corrective actions and audit preparation by locating and verifying affected product and records and gathering required documentation under the direction of the supervisor.
• Observe adherence to established Quality & Food Safety requirements throughout warehouse operations and promptly escalate identified gaps or concerns for appropriate follow-up guidance or training.
• Identify trends and recommend improvements to onsite Quality and Food Safety processes controls procedures and documentation; support implementation of approved changes with the Quality & Food Safety team.
• Independently manage routine onsite Quality activities and issues using technical judgment within defined authority escalating elevated-risk complex novel or regulatory-sensitive FSQA matters to the supervisor.

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree technical training or coursework in Food Science Food Safety Quality Assurance Manufacturing or a related field preferred.
• 3 years of progressively responsible experience in food quality control quality assurance food safety food manufacturing distribution Quality or a related regulated environment; equivalent combinations of relevant education training and experience will be considered.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety quality sanitation GMPs and applicable Quality requirements within a regulated food manufacturing warehousing or distribution environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently apply specifications SOPs work instructions and Quality standards to evaluate routine Quality conditions take appropriate action within established authority and recognize when escalation is required.
• Strong inspection analytical and problem-solving skills with experience identifying and documenting product defects temperature deviations nonconformances product holds traceability activities and other Quality concerns.
• Ability to recognize trends or recurring issues and recommend practical improvements to Quality processes controls procedures or documentation.
• Sound technical judgment attention to detail and strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to work independently as the primary onsite Quality representative manage changing priorities and collaborate effectively with Warehouse Operations and the broader Quality & Food Safety team.

• Previous Quality Control Quality Assurance or Food Safety experience within a food beverage dietary supplement meat or other regulated consumer-products environment.
• Experience working with FDA- and/or USDA-regulated products or performing receiving shipping warehouse or finished-product Quality inspections.
• HACCP GMP SQF PCQI ServSafe or other relevant food safety or Quality training/certification.
• Experience with product holds nonconformance documentation traceability/recall activities continuous improvement or Quality systems such as Acumatica.

• This position works onsite in a warehouse and distribution environment and requires regular movement throughout receiving storage and shipping areas.
• Regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently bend reach crouch handle products and operate handheld devices or computers.
• Must be able to safely lift carry push or move products weighing up to 40 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Regular exposure to varying warehouse temperatures including the potential for extended periods in refrigerated and freezer environments and work around forklifts pallet jacks loading docks trucks and other warehouse equipment.
• Required to follow applicable warehouse safety food safety sanitation PPE and personal-hygiene requirements.
• This position is currently scheduled during standard daytime warehouse operations with occasional flexibility to start earlier or work later based on receiving shipping Quality or other business needs.

• Medical dental and vision coverage with 100% employer-paid dental/vision and a small monthly medical premium for employees; dependents may be added at employee cost
• Generous Paid time off to support balance and rest
• Paid sick time for when you need it
• Six (6) company-paid holidays each year & two (2) floating holidays
• Paid parental leave after 6 months of service for eligible employees
• 100% company-paid Short-Term Disability Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Referral bonuses up to $1500 when you refer great people who join our team
• 401(k) or Roth Plans with up to a 4% company match after one year of service
• $300 Paleovalley Monthly product stipend for full-time employees

Paleovalley and Wild Pastures are proud to be equal opportunity employers. We make employment decisions based on qualifications merit and business needs and we do not discriminate based on any status protected by applicable federal state or local law. Were also committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. If you need assistance or an accommodation at any point please reach out to .

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. At this time Paleovalley and Wild Pastures are unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas including but not limited to H-1B TN or OPT. Any offer of employment is contingent upon completion of Form I-9 and verification of work authorization. We participate in E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the U.S.

To support an efficient and consistent application review process we may use technology-assisted tools to help organize and review applications; however these tools do not make hiring decisions. All final hiring decisions are made by our team.

This role is open until filled.

Required Experience:

IC