FSQ Lab Technician - Blue Buffalo
About The Position
The FSQ Lab Technician supports the manufacturing team at General Mills’ Blue Buffalo pet food production site in Joplin. The role manages and performs product inspections, analytical testing, and documentation while assisting the QA supervisor in meeting regulatory, food safety, and compliance standards. It conducts HACCP- and SQF-related monitoring and verification, participates in continuous improvement initiatives, and helps train new employees. The position is currently hiring for day shift, working 12-hour shifts from 6:45 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on a rotating schedule. The plant operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and employees must be willing to work overtime, weekends, nights, and holidays as needed. The work may involve hot, cold, noisy, wet, or dusty conditions; heights; high-speed machinery; and food allergens.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Ability to work rotating 12-hour shifts.
- Ability to understand and effectively communicate with coworkers, supervisors, and others in the workplace regarding work matters; business is generally conducted in English.
- Basic computer skills and ability to use digital tools and systems to complete daily work tasks.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, push, pull, and twist for extended periods.
- Willingness to work in hot, cold, noisy, wet, or dusty conditions.
- Ability to climb and/or work at heights using stairs, ladders, personnel lifts, or platforms.
- Ability to follow human and food safety, quality, and grooming standards.
- Ability to wear required protective clothing and equipment, such as safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard/bump caps, hair/beard nets, gloves, and face masks when required.
- Ability to work around high-speed machinery and food allergens.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, nights, and holidays as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of food industry quality and sanitation standards and requirements.
- SQF and FGSI knowledge.
- Working knowledge of AA, NIR, and Leco systems.
- Experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
Responsibilities
- Manage and execute product inspections, analytical testing, and documentation.
- Assist and support the QA supervisor in meeting regulatory, food safety, and compliance standards.
- Conduct HACCP- and SQF-related monitoring and verification activities, including control checks, audits, temperature checks, CCP verification, pest control observations, pre-shipment reviews, microbiological swabbing, and other processing procedural checks or inspections.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to increase platform performance.
- Assist in training new employees.
Benefits
- Starting pay of $20.00 per hour, with internal pay advancement up to $23.50 per hour.
- $1.00 per hour additional for hours worked between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Up to 120 hours (10 days) of vacation annually.
- 11 paid company holidays.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Medical, dental, and life insurance.
- Career growth and cross-training opportunities.
- Employee events and opportunities to engage through plant committees, including events for employees and their families.
- Partnership with the local humane society for events and volunteer work.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
