Job Description

Job Location: Burlington IA - Burlington, IA 52601
Salary Range: $21.50 Hourly

Join the TEAM at Western Smokehouse Partners!
We’re more than just a leader in the better-for-you meat snack industry-we’re a team driven by quality, innovation and a passion for great meat sticks and jerky. With seven facilities across four states, we’re setting the standard in excellence for our co-manufacturing and private label customers. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for highly motivated individuals who want to be part of an industry-leading company that values contribution, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Western Smokehouse Partners is looking for a Quality Assurance Assistant.
The Quality Assurance Assistant supports the QA team in maintaining product excellence and food safety by assisting with audits, quality checks, and documentation. This role contributes to enforcing policies and procedures across production areas to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and company quality objectives, especially within the Ready-To-Eat (RTE) segment.
Essential Duties
- Assist the FSQA Manager with Pre-Operational (Pre-Op) checks and related procedures.
- Monitor production activities to verify compliance with quality and food safety standards, including checking ingredients, water activity, pH, rack tags, labels, boxes, caddies, and machine documentation.
- Contribute to achieving quality assurance goals by supporting data collection, analysis, and strategic planning efforts.
- Prepare and complete action plans for quality and production improvements.
- Support implementation of production, productivity, quality, and customer service standards.
- Identify, investigate, and help resolve quality issues within the production process.
- Assist in conducting internal audits to verify the effectiveness of food safety and quality systems.
- Aid in developing quality assurance plans, including hazard analyses and identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs).
- Help establish critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, and verification processes.
- Validate quality processes by measuring production outputs, documenting evidence, and updating QA procedures.
- Participate in quality documentation preparation and reporting, including tracking failed processes, stability studies, recalls, corrective actions, and re-validations.
- Maintain oversight of the facility’s pest control program and related equipment.
- Maintain and store quality and food safety documentation accurately.
- Verify label information to ensure quality compliance for production runs.
- Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and FDA regulations.

Required Qualifications
- Food safety or Ready-To-Eat (RTE) production experience preferred.
- Quality Assurance, FSQR, or QC experience preferred.
- HACCP training preferred; formal training required for internal audits and company training administration.
- Basic math skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.
- General computer skills and familiarity with calculators.
- Ability and willingness to learn computer traceability and inventory systems.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Ability to stand, walk, and bend frequently during shifts.
- Work is performed in a manufacturing environment, including production areas with varying temperature and noise levels.
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
Benefits Offered:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Compliance and Safety
This position must comply with all company policies, GMPs, FDA regulations, OSHA standards, and Illinois Department of Labor rules. Employees are expected to report any safety, quality, or compliance concerns to supervisors immediately.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Western Smokehouse Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We are committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local labor laws.