Advanced Lab Technician

Darigold • Sunnyside, WA

3d

About The Position

Darigold is seeking an Advanced Laboratory Technician for its Sunnyside team. Reporting to the lab supervisor, this role supports daily laboratory operations and ensures quality- and food-safety-related work is completed efficiently and accurately. The technician performs analytical, chemical, and microbiological testing of ingredients, environmental samples, in-process samples, and finished products, and supports the facility’s food safety plan through critical control point and preventive control verification.

The role also supports the facility’s food safety and quality management systems, including environmental swabbing, product sampling and release, documentation, equipment calibration, laboratory proficiency testing, inventory, and quality improvement initiatives. The technician helps train employees and operations staff, contributes to laboratory procedures and troubleshooting, and supports a proactive food safety culture and continuous improvement. The position pays $28.15 per hour.

Requirements

• Follow and demonstrate Good Laboratory Practices.
• Attain and maintain WSDA-approved Appendix N Certified Industry Analyst and Plant Sampler licenses.
• Attain and maintain HACCP, PCQI, and SQF certifications.
• Understand FDA, USDA, CODEX, and other relevant dairy-product regulatory standards, with a basic understanding of PMO and FSMA requirements.
• Have strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office products, database systems such as LIMS, Oracle, SafetyChain, or Smartsheets, and other relevant programs.
• Type at least 40 words per minute.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment and in a fast-paced setting.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Perform analytical and microbiological tests that produce results consistent with standards or duplicate testing by a recognized laboratory.
• Have an intermediate understanding of food microbiology, serial dilutions, plating methods, and media preparation.
• Communicate effectively across departments, including maintenance, utilities, and production.
• Use critical thinking and troubleshooting skills to address workplace issues and identified non-conformances.
• Demonstrate a high aptitude for critical work and measurement through education, training, and at least 2 years of laboratory experience.
• Be a self-starter and work independently.
• Prioritize tasks to meet goals and ensure product quality.

Nice To Haves

• Certifications in dairy science, food safety, food science, or laboratory techniques.
• Familiarity with advanced laboratory equipment such as FT-IR machines, chromatographs, and PCR machines.
• Proficiency with statistical software and data analysis tools for interpreting complex data sets.
• Experience training, mentoring, and coaching staff in different departments.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical, chemical, and microbiological testing of ingredients, environmental samples, in-process samples, and finished products.
• Perform routine laboratory duties, including sampling, grading, product inspection, and troubleshooting.
• Collect samples and conduct testing; document results, manage out-of-specification notifications and retests, and transfer data into systems for product releases.
• Collect and analyze in-process samples for plant operations.
• Immediately notify the supervisor of products that do not meet specifications; communicate out-of-specification results to QA and plant management and conduct necessary confirmation testing.
• Maintain the environmental swabbing program, track and report results, and conduct environmental and investigative pathogen swabbing as required.
• Accurately record, retain, and analyze testing data; identify trends, help with root cause analysis, and prepare reports.
• Perform preventive maintenance and calibration duties, run standards, and ensure methods meet established standards.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including pH meters, scales, pipettors, incubators, and biosafety cabinets; maintain the laboratory and stock culture media, buffers, and reagents.
• Collect raw and pasteurized samples for plant inventory through milk component testing and support product standardization.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures and Good Laboratory Practices.
• Maintain inventory of laboratory supplies and plant consumables and keep the laboratory clean and operational.
• Report food safety risks and quality issues immediately and hold at-risk products for review.
• Participate in and support the plant’s quality improvement plan.
• Follow safety protocols and comply with regulatory guidelines, including FDA and ISO 17025 requirements.
• Assist in training new employees, developing LSOPs and OPLs, coaching operations staff on quality and food safety procedures, and training and certifying laboratory technicians.
• Help identify and troubleshoot sample and equipment issues; support laboratory and sanitation technicians as needed.
• Lead projects as needed to strengthen facility quality programs and support the facility’s food safety culture and continuous improvement.
• Support and maintain the food safety and quality management systems, including proactive reporting and issue prevention.
• Verify facility preventive controls, critical control points, and prerequisite programs for regulatory compliance.
• Perform and maintain annual laboratory proficiency testing and verification of laboratory tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned by plant management.

Benefits

• Health and wellness benefits
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• Premium pay for off shifts (night or swing) and vacation relief, where applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed