FSQA Microbiology Technician

Ajinomoto Foods North America•Lampasas, TX

11h

About The Position

Under the direction of the FSQA Manager or Supervisor, the Microbiology Technician (Micro Tech) conducts microbiological analyses to verify sanitary operating conditions and to assure the safety and quality of the manufacturing environment and finished product. The Micro Tech also provides technical assistance on all matters related to the bacteriological analysis of products and materials, microbiological investigations and interpretation of analytical results.

Requirements

A B.S. degree in Microbiology or Food Technology, Food Science or its equivalent is required.
Sufficiently broad experience in food manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Assurance and/or food plant production operations, processes, and policies to permit execution of assigned duties is strongly desired. Limited food manufacturing experience combined with an appropriate college degree may be considered.
Good eyesight is required in order to read micro results and complete pre-operational inspection.
Complete understanding of Ajinomoto Windsor Inc., micro lab process is strongly desired.
Good English communication skills (reading, writing, and verbal) are essential to interface with the various levels of plant management, co-workers, and suppliers.
Position requires good organizational, mathematical, and recordkeeping skills.
Computer literacy, word processing, Excel and data entry skills are required.
Must be able, both mentally and physically, to do the analytical tests. Requires good eye/hand coordination.
Must be willing to work together with co-workers as part of a team; also, must be self-motivated and able to work with little or no supervision.
Must have good laboratory technique to perform serial dilutions, maceration of sample matrices, and plating technique.
Must be able to pass quarterly proficiency testing for microbial analysis for APC, Coliform, Yeast, Mold and Staphylococcus aureus/CP Staph.
Must possess good analytical, investigative and problem solving skills as well as the ability to integrate activities in the processing environment to cause and effect for bacteriological risk assessments and root cause analysis.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
The employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk and taste or smell.
The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance in a manufacturing facility; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Capable of 24-hour, 7-day a week, emergency work assignments.

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as HACCP, SQF, or through ASQ and other professional quality associations are helpful.
Good working knowledge of Root Cause Analysis (i.e. 5Y, Ishikawa). Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, PDCA, DMAIC and other quality tools strongly desired.

Responsibilities

Performs microbiological tests as required and provides the technological knowledge and skills necessary to the implementation and maintenance of bacteriological testing and quality assurance programs.
Collects environmental, ingredient and finished product samples for bacteriological testing as needed.
Maintains a current and comprehensive knowledge of microbiological testing and analysis procedures.
Conducts or assists with raw material/ingredient hazard analysis and risk assessments that may require microbial analysis, Certificates of Analysis and/or export certification.
May inspect equipment and facilities for cleaning deficiencies and other food safety issues.
Will participate on the positive swab investigative team as the leader, investigator or swab tech. Will maintain all records required for investigations.
Assists in the training or instruction of laboratory personnel, and monitors assigned bacteriological tests.
Responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of all bacteriological equipment, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) and maintaining laboratory in a clean, sanitary and unadulterated state at all times.
Prepares and maintains necessary records and reports and keeps leadership advised on all technical matters within the facility pertaining to microbiological procedures, bacteriological analyses reports, etc.
Responsible for updating and maintaining the laboratory manual with all current policies and procedures, including the environmental site program. Maintains familiarity with all related Corporate FSQA policies and procedures.
Responsible for communicating with outside analytical laboratories.
Responsible for ordering and maintaining laboratory supplies and establishing necessary budget for annual supplies.
Follows all facility safety rules and regulations, FSQA programs, and regulatory requirements.
Performs work within company standards and efficiencies.
Performs all other work as assigned.