Seasonal Lab Technician
ofi is a global leader offering naturally good food & beverage ingredients and solutions. At the forefront of consumer trends, we provide manufacturers and retailers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is part of that delight. From plant to palate, we take care of the ingredients. We are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. We add value through our unique manufacturing footprint and natural, delicious and nutritious products. Our fresh ideas help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices to create naturally healthy and delicious food & beverage products. Whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Quality Supervisor and working under the direction of the Senior Lab Technician, the Lab Technician will be responsible for monitoring, improving and reporting on the overall microbiological/environmental performance of the plant. This position provides technical feedback to QA Manager and QA supervisor and support to management and sanitation, consistently promotes teamwork, demonstrates strong leadership, and continuously improves processes that affect micro performance.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to work independently, read and interpret safety, operating, quality, production, maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ideal candidate must be willing to walk and stand up to 8 hours per day, frequently push, pull, and lift up-to 15 pounds. Must be dependable, a team player and have good communication skills and wear PPE specific to position.
Position Responsibilities
- Comply with all Quality and Food Safety Management standards and/or systems to ensure continual improvement and effectiveness of the Food Safety Management System with the ability to satisfy our customers and provide products that are in accordance to their intended use and safe for human consumption.
- Comply with and enforce Safe Quality Food (SQF) & Food Safety Management Standards.
- Ensure that plant has passed “swab” test each day prior to releasing it for operation.
- Perform Pre-Operational Sanitation Verifications, Daily Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Daily Food Safety Audit, and Environmental Swabbing.
- Ensure that production batch records meet company quality expectations relating to process and content prior to releasing product for shipment to warehouse.
- Organize and maintain records, such as scoresheets, data collection entries, spreadsheets, specifications, outside company contacts, and any other department related documents and reports as necessary.
- Collect quality records and scoresheets for all incoming products and release products on time.
- Review and verify quality, manufacturing and sanitation records according to procedures and policies.
- Use SAP(Parity) to release product, hold product and maintain any other statuses as appropriate for the products in the system, including special system releases.
- Assist in development and revision of food safety and quality system documents including: Product Specification and Quality Assurance Manuals.
- Assist in preparing Product Samples.
- Assist in any other Food Safety and Quality projects assigned by direct supervisor.
- Plating/Reading of Petrifilm.
- Must undergo GMP and HACCP training and maintain a conscious awareness of personnel, equipment and quality food safety measures at all times.
- Notify management of micro non-conforming product and place product on hold.
- Document certificates of assurance (CoA), electronically record data, investigate customer complaints or supplier issues.
- Advise sanitation lead and crew as needed with cleaning procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalency preferred
- 6 months to one year experience in a food manufacturing environment
- 6 months to one year laboratory and/or quality experience
- Knowledge of quality standards and sanitation procedures
- Basic mathematical skills required.
- Basic computer skills
- Reading comprehension
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Ability to follow instructions verbally and in writing
- Notice when problems occur and adjust
- Communicate orally and in writing
- Ability to read and interpret safety, operating and maintenance instructions
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, and fumes or airborne particles, occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; moderate cold; moderate heat. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.
