LAB TECHNICIAN (R&D)

Bluegrass Ingredients Inc•Springfield, KY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

At Bluegrass Ingredients, we believe exceptional products start with exceptional people. As a growing ingredient manufacturer, we are building a team of agile thinkers, problem solvers, and doers who take pride in quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We are committed to creating an environment where employees feel supported and valued. If you are looking for a company where your work matters, Bluegrass Ingredients may be the right place for you. The R&D Lab Technician may be required to work on one or more of the following areas, including but not limited to, pilot plant operation, sample preparation and dispatch, assisting Scientists in experimentation and routine tasks as needed, supporting cross-functional colleagues as directed, administrative activities as needed, third-party coordination e.g., shippers, vendors, etc., amongst other duties as directed by R&D leadership.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED
0-3 years experience
Must be neat and clean and able to comply with plant policy and regulations, including Good Manufacturing Practices, safety, work, and loss prevention procedures.
Must be punctual
Must have good manual dexterity
Must present a positive attitude toward co-workers and job

Responsibilities

Responsible for maintenance, operation and sanitation of Pilot Dryer, all Pilot Lab equipment and Pilot Lab facility.
Cleaning and sanitizing equipment: rinsing, disassembly of equipment, physical cleaning using sanitizing solutions and approved cleaning methods.
Responsible for maintaining equipment, keeping equipment clean and Pilot Plant organized. Keep some stock parts for equipment routinely needed.
Responsible for running product trials on Pilot Dryer, following make sheet instructions, recording issues, all test parameters on make sheets. This will include, but not limited to, weighing out material, adjusting solids, heating to pasteurization temperatures, homogenizing and operating high pressure pump.
Operate small roller dryer, dry blender and sieve: monitoring temperatures, cohesion, product moisture.
Maintain organized records of retained material, make sheets and dryer hours.
Use ATP swabs to check equipment sanitation as needed.
Communicate all issues, successes and parameters of pilot trials and experiments.
Support R&D development efforts creating samples as directed by Technical Director or Food Scientist.
Assist in creating and shipping samples as needed.
Set and participate in twice weekly production sample sensory evaluation.
Maintain retain sample inventory and monitor shelf-life schedule.
Conduct laboratory testing as directed by Technical Director and/or Food Scientist.
Comply with plant regulations: GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices), safety rules and work rules and loss control procedures.
Perform any and all duties as assigned by supervisor.