Lab Technician

Tate & Lyle•San Diego, CA

About The Position

The Lab Technician supports site goals related to safety, environmental protection, quality, production volume, cost, GMP, training, and personnel. The role follows cGMP and GLP requirements, maintains CDL ISO procedures, responds to related non-conformities, and helps monitor production processes using SOPs and sample results so that fermentation adjustments can be made. The technician maintains supplies for daily media preparation and 12L flask inoculation, participates in inspections and safety walk-throughs, assists with process improvements and training, and may support lab-ware work and maintenance of CDL equipment and computer systems. The position involves frequent communication with union operators, lead personnel, supervisors, and engineers about experimental instructions, observations, and results. It requires self-management, punctuality, reliable attendance, teamwork, effective communication, and the ability to take on new assignments at short notice. The technician must perform duties amid continuous physical activity and consistently adhere to safety standards and GMP policy, including the use of required personal protective equipment. The technician must be able to work in a 24/7 operation across different shifts, including day, swing, and graveyard shifts, and cover weekends and holidays. Overtime may be required on very short notice. The work may take place in severe outdoor conditions such as wet, loud, or humid environments.

Requirements

Basic math and English reading skills appropriate to the position.
Intermediate computer skills, including email, Word, and Excel.
Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, operating procedures for a bright-field microscope, pH meters, viscometers, centrifuges, YSI sugar analyzers, scales, and refractometers.
Knowledge of Gram staining and identification of contaminants, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Knowledge of contamination prevention and the distinction between confirmed and unconfirmed contamination.
Knowledge of frozen culture preparation and validation, CDL autoclave operation, aseptic techniques, and 12L flask inoculation.
Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Ability to perform under continuous physical activity and in severe outdoor conditions, including wet, loud, or humid environments.
Ability to work across a 24/7 operation on different shifts and provide weekend and holiday coverage.
Ability to work overtime with very short notice and take on new assignments at short notice.
Punctuality, good attendance, self-management, and consistent adherence to safety standards and GMP policy.
Ability to wear required PPE, including hard hat, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection, steel-toed footwear, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeve shirt; additional GMP PPE may be required.

Nice To Haves

Science college courses, preferably in Microbiology and Chemistry.

Responsibilities

Assist SBP in meeting site goals for safety, environmental protection, quality, volume, cost, GMP, training, and personnel.
Follow cGMP and GLP requirements and company Cardinal Rules and Principles.
Prepare for and assist with CDL standardization and safety inspections as needed.
Cover lab-ware tasks when the lab-ware technician is absent, such as during vacation or days off.
Maintain sufficient chemical and material inventories for daily media make-up and 12L flask inoculation.
Maintain CDL ISO procedures and respond to CDL-related non-conformities.
Participate in routine area inspections and safety walk-throughs.
Help identify and implement new processes and procedures.
Coordinate maintenance of CDL equipment and computer systems as needed.
Assist with training and enforce adherence to CDL/SBP standard operating procedures.
Implement and support the EH&S management system and Quality & EH&S Policy.
Use SOPs and sample results to monitor and analyze production processes, report results, and support changes to fermentation.
Communicate experimental instructions, observations, results, safety issues, and procedural issues with relevant personnel.
Follow company, state, and federal safety and environmental protection guidelines and use required PPE.