Quality Control Technician I

Description

Step Up to the Plate as Our Quality Control Technician I

Location: Woodridge IL – Frozen Plant
Department: Quality
Reports To: Quality Manager
Shift: 2pm - 11:30pm
Pay: $20.00-$24.00/Hr

At Home Run Inn, great pizza doesn't just happen.

It takes quality ingredients, safe processes, attention to detail, and a team that cares about getting things right. Behind every pizza we make is a crew of people who take pride in doing things the right way—and our Quality team plays a huge role in making sure every pizza meets our standards.

That's where you come in.

We're looking for a dependable and detail-oriented Quality Control Technician I to join our Frozen Plant. You'll play an important hands-on role in protecting the quality and safety of our products by inspecting ingredients, monitoring production processes, verifying food safety controls, and helping ensure we're meeting internal, customer, and regulatory standards.

If you're someone who notices the details, knows when something isn't right, isn't afraid to speak up, and takes pride in protecting the quality of a product people love, we'd love to have you on the team.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll be one of the people behind the scenes making sure every pizza that leaves our plant meets the Home Run Inn standard.

Keep Quality on Track

• Perform quality inspections and verification activities on ingredients, in-process products, and finished products.
• Monitor and verify Critical Parameters (CPs), Critical Control Points (CCPs), cGMPs, and sanitation activities.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections, environmental monitoring, allergen verification, and hold/release activities.
• Verify that products and processes meet internal quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Identify, document, and escalate quality or food safety concerns.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and communicate findings to the appropriate Quality team members.

Protect Food Safety

• Monitor compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and established food safety protocols.
• Follow HACCP, FDA, USDA, sanitation, allergen, and other applicable food safety requirements.
• Verify equipment calibration in accordance with company quality procedures to ensure accurate and reliable results.
• Support sanitation verification, environmental monitoring, and allergen control activities.
• Follow company safety programs and reinforce safe work practices while performing daily responsibilities.
• Help maintain a culture where food safety, workplace safety, and quality are everyone's responsibility.

Solve Problems & Make Things Better

• Maintain accurate QC records, including test results, deviations, and corrective actions.
• Identify, document, and communicate quality or food safety non-conformances.
• Participate in root cause analysis for non-conformances and support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Use good time management and decision-making skills to assist key personnel in resolving quality concerns in real time.
• Work closely with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Warehouse teams to address quality and food safety concerns.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and help ensure established quality standards are consistently followed.

Be an Important Part of the Team

As a Level I technician, you'll work alongside the Quality team to help maintain the high standards our customers expect.

• Follow established quality procedures, food safety programs, and company policies.
• Communicate quality concerns and observations to QC Leads, Supervisors, and management.
• Work collaboratively with team members across the plant to support production and food safety goals.
• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and demonstrate accountability in daily work.
• Support a positive team environment built on communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You're Probably a Great Fit If You...

• Notice the little things and don't let details slip through the cracks.
• Aren't afraid to speak up when something doesn't look right.
• Enjoy identifying problems and helping find solutions.
• Can stay focused and make good decisions when something needs attention quickly.
• Take pride in accurate documentation and doing things the right way.
• Enjoy working with different teams and understand that quality is a team effort.
• Can balance speed and accuracy in a fast-paced production environment.
• Are dependable, organized, and comfortable managing your daily responsibilities.
• Like being hands-on and seeing the direct impact of your work.
• Understand that protecting food safety means protecting our people, our customers, and our pizza.

What You'll Bring

• 2+ years of experience in food manufacturing or quality control preferred.
• Experience working in USDA and FDA-regulated facilities.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, cGMPs, and FDA/USDA food safety regulations.
• Ability to analyze and interpret information.
• Good time management and decision-making skills, including the ability to assist key personnel in resolving incidents in real time.
• Strong attention to detail and accurate documentation skills.
• Basic experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to speak, read, and understand English.
• Ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds for extended periods.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding food manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including off shifts and weekends.
• Comfortable working in temperature-controlled environments, including cold and warm areas.

Even Better If You Have...

• HACCP, SQF, or GFSI certification.
• Experience working directly with FDA or USDA inspectors.
• Experience in frozen food or pizza manufacturing.
• Familiarity with environmental monitoring, allergen programs, sanitation verification, and quality inspections.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

What to Expect in the Work Environment

Quality doesn't stop when production gets busy. This role requires someone who is comfortable working hands-on in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

• Work in loud production areas where hearing protection and other personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.
• Potential exposure to chemicals and biological materials.
• Frequent exposure to major FDA-designated food allergens, including milk and wheat.
• Work in temperature-controlled environments, including cold and warm areas, for extended periods.
• Work in a fast-paced, physically demanding manufacturing environment.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including off shifts and weekends.

Why Home Run Inn?

We're more than a pizza company—we're a Chicago original with deep family roots and an exciting future ahead.

For four generations, we've built our business around people who take pride in what they do. From the first pizza made in our South Side tavern to the millions of pizzas we produce today, we've always believed that doing things the right way matters.

When you join our team, you'll find:

• A family-owned company with nearly 100 years of Chicago history.
• A team that takes pride in making a product people love.
• Opportunities to grow your skills and build your career.
• Leaders who value safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Best & Brightest and Most Loved Workplace distinct recognition.
• Time to recharge with Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Personal Time, and Paid Holidays.
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance options + supplementary insurances.
• Paid Parental Leave to support your growing family.
• Company 401k retirement savings plan, including company matching opportunities.
• Free household access to 24/7 on-demand virtual healthcare.
• Discounts on safety shoes, travel, entertainment, and more.
• And, of course, plenty of pizza!

Our Values

Family – We show up for one another and succeed together.

Pride – We set high standards because our teammates and guests deserve our best.

Grit – We keep learning, improving, and finding better ways to do things.

Courage – We own our mistakes, speak honestly, and grow from every experience.

Purpose – To give people more Home Runs in their day.

Ready to Join the Team?

The best Quality Control Technicians don't just inspect pizza—they help protect the people who make it and the people who eat it.

If you're ready to put your quality and food safety skills to work, solve real problems, and play an important role in making millions of Home Run Inn pizzas, step up to the plate.

Apply today and become part of the Home Run Inn family!

Home Run Inn is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome.

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