ALEJANDRO ESQUIVEL
Merced,CA
Summary
Detail-oriented Quality Control Technician with 5+ years of experience in agricultural and almond processing environments. Skilled in inspecting raw and finished commodities for defects, contamination, and grade compliance including broken/double kernels, discoloration, mold, insect damage, and foreign material. Experienced in sampling, product grading, label compliance, sample retention, documentation, traceability, and quality audits. Strong knowledge of GMPs, HACCP and OSHA standards. Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM) swabbing, Triphosphate(ATP)swabbing, and allergen swabbing. Committed to food safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality assurance.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Quality Control Technician
Hughson Nut Company
Livingston, CA
07.2024 - 03.2026
- Performed quality inspections of almonds during retail packaging to ensure compliance with customer specifications for size, color, and defect tolerances.
- Inspected for defects including broken/double kernels, chips, splits, mold, rancidity, insect damage, and foreign material.
- Conducted hourly line checks verifying weight, seal integrity, label accuracy, and metal detector performance.
- Collected, graded, and documented samples in paper logs and digital databases for traceability.
- Maintained GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and PEM compliance, including environmental, ATP, and allergen swabbing.
- Adjusted machine settings based on product specifications and quality checks.
- Assisted with machine operations.
- Filed shift paper work for line.
Quality Control Technician
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
Turlock, CA
02.2023 - 02.2024
- Inspected and graded almonds, peaches, and tomatoes to ensure USDA and customer quality standards.
- Identified defects including mold, insect damage, bruising, decay, and broken/double kernels.
- Conducted production line audits and ensured removal of nonconforming product.
- Collected samples, calculated defect percentages, and maintained traceability records.
- Communicated findings with supervisors to support product release and corrective actions.
- Trained new technicians on inspection procedures, GMPs, documentation, and safety protocols.
Quality Inspector
Yagi Farms
Livingston, CA
11.2019 - 03.2022
- Inspected specialty produce for firmness, size, bruising, and decay to ensure quality standards before packaging.
- Performed quality compliance sampling and recorded inspection results to support product integrity.
- Maintained strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, GMP, HACCP and OSHA standards to uphold regulatory compliance.
- Communicated defects and quality issues with machine operators and supervisors.
- Conducted wet-sample testing in laboratory to assess product quality.
Education
General Education Coursework -
Merced College
High School Diploma -
Merced High School
Skills
- Quality Control
- Machine operator
- Product Inspection
- Product Packaging Testing
- Sampling & Testing
- GMP
- Sample retention
- Hold and release of product
- HACCP
- Line Audits
- Metal Detection
- ATP & Allergen Swabbing
- PEM Program Swabbing
- Traceability
- Documentation
- OSHA Compliance
- Team Training
- Equipment adjustment
- Set Up of Packaging Coders
Timeline
Quality Control Technician
Hughson Nut Company
07.2024 - 03.2026
Quality Control Technician
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
02.2023 - 02.2024
Quality Inspector
Yagi Farms
11.2019 - 03.2022
General Education Coursework -
Merced College
High School Diploma -
Merced High School