Advanced Lab Technician

Darigold Careers • Sunnyside, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

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

The role includes collecting and testing samples, recording and transferring results, managing out-of-specification notifications and retests, and promptly reporting quality or food safety concerns. The technician maintains environmental swabbing and laboratory proficiency programs, calibrates and maintains equipment, manages supplies and inventory, and follows SOPs, Good Laboratory Practices, and applicable regulatory requirements. The position also contributes to root-cause analysis, quality improvement projects, food safety culture, training, and continuous improvement across laboratory and plant operations.

Requirements

• Demonstrated good laboratory practices.
• Dairy science, food safety, food science, or laboratory techniques certifications.
• Attain and maintain WSDA-approved Appendix N Certified Industry Analyst License and Plant Sampler License.
• Understanding of FDA, USDA, CODEX, and other relevant dairy-product regulatory standards.
• Basic understanding of PMO and FSMA requirements.
• Attain and maintain HACCP, PCQI, and SQF certifications.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), database systems such as LIMS, Oracle, SafetyChain, or Smartsheets, and other relevant programs.
• Ability to type at least 40 words per minute.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to perform analytical and microbiological tests that produce results consistent with standards or duplicate testing by a recognized laboratory.
• Intermediate understanding of food microbiology, serial dilutions, plating methods, and media preparation.
• Strong communication skills to support teamwork across departments, including maintenance, utilities, and production.
• Critical-thinking and troubleshooting skills to address issues and identified non-conformances.
• High aptitude for critical work and measurement, demonstrated through education, training, and at least 2 years of laboratory experience.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to prioritize tasks to meet goals and ensure product quality.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background screen, a negative drug screen, and confirmation of eligibility to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical, chemical, and microbiological testing of ingredient, environmental, in-process, and finished-product samples.
• Carry out routine laboratory duties, including finished- and in-process-product testing, sampling, grading, product inspection, and troubleshooting.
• Collect samples and perform required 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, QA Management, and Plant Management of out-of-specification results; perform necessary checks to confirm or rule out affected product.
• Assist with the environmental swabbing program, track and report results, and conduct environmental and investigative pathogen swabbing as required.
• Accurately record, retain, and analyze data; identify trends and assist with root-cause analysis for quality events.
• Perform preventive maintenance and calibration duties, run standards, calibrate equipment, and ensure testing methods meet established standards.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including pH meters, scales, pipettors, incubators, and biosafety cabinets; maintain the laboratory and stock media, buffers, and reagents.
• Collect raw and pasteurized samples for plant inventory through milk component testing and support product standardization.
• Follow SOPs and Good Laboratory Practices, maintain documentation, and prepare reports.
• 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.
• Support the plant’s quality improvement plan and comply with safety protocols and regulatory guidelines, including FDA and ISO 17025 requirements.
• Assist with training new employees and developing LSOPs and OPLs; train and coach operations personnel on quality and food safety processes, procedures, equipment, and troubleshooting.
• Assist in identifying and troubleshooting sample or equipment issues; support fellow laboratory technicians and sanitation technicians as needed.
• Assist with training and certification for laboratory technicians.
• Lead projects as needed to strengthen facility quality programs and help maintain the facility’s food safety culture.
• Support and maintain the food safety and quality management system, including proactive reporting and resolution of issues.
• 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 (for eligible positions; specific contract varies by location).
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Pension contribution.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Premium pay for off shifts (night and swing) and vacation relief, where applicable.

What This Job Offers

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