Lab Technician - 2nd Shift

Russell Stover•Abilene, KS

17d•Onsite

About The Position

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy! A day in the life… As a Lab Tech you will be working directly with your Quality Assurance team members to ensure that only the finest product is shipped to our consumers. You will be conducting quality inspections, resolving quality issues, investigating root causes, directing and training team members, and following proper procedure for all documentation. You will also learn the job function of all quality team members so that you may relieve them during breaks or while on vacation or sick leave. Inventory management, audit prep, and general leadership are some of the other key functions. What you will be doing…. Understanding of weights and measurements including metric conversions. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. Verify that process specifications, from raw material to packaged goods, are maintained at acceptable levels. Maintain a high level of awareness regarding sanitation standards and conditions. Collaborates with employees and management from all areas of the plant to ensure compliance with RSC guidelines, rules, and procedures. Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards. Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives. Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities. Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role. Follow batching instructions and product formulas with accuracy and precision. Measure, weigh, and dispense raw materials and ingredients according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). Document all batch activities, including lot numbers, weights, and times, on appropriate forms or in digital systems. Perform pre-op checks, equipment calibration, and verification activities before batching begins. Coordinate with QA and Production teams to ensure timely delivery of batches to production lines. Take product samples as required and deliver them to the quality lab for testing. Identify and report deviations or out-of-spec materials immediately to QA or Supervisory staff. Maintain cleanliness of batching equipment and work area in compliance with GMP and sanitation guidelines. Handle and store raw materials and ingredients properly to avoid contamination or spoilage. Support inventory rotation (FIFO) and assist with material reconciliation. Adhere to all plant safety policies, food safety regulations, and company procedures. This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned. A TYPICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS ROLE IS 10 HR SHIFTS MONDAY - THURSDAY. START AND END TIMES WILL VARY WITH THE EARLIEST START BEING 3:45PM AND THE LATEST END TIME BEING 2:15AM. DURING PEAK SEASON, OVERTIME MAY BE REQUIRED.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation
Basic math skills
Computer skills, including MS Office
Able to multi-task, prioritize and be detail oriented
Experience with organizing batch set ups
Self-motivated and teamwork orientated
Able to prioritize daily schedules
Able to read formulas, order raw materials, do monthly inventory
Must be able to differentiate between colors and changes in colors

Nice To Haves

Experience in food service or food manufacturing
Experience with Lab Testing Procedures annual document review and assessment
Able to communicate well and is a team player

Responsibilities

Conduct quality inspections
Resolve quality issues
Investigate root causes
Direct and train team members
Follow proper procedure for all documentation
Learn the job function of all quality team members so that you may relieve them during breaks or while on vacation or sick leave
Inventory management
Audit prep
General leadership
Understanding of weights and measurements including metric conversions
Verify that process specifications, from raw material to packaged goods, are maintained at acceptable levels
Maintain a high level of awareness regarding sanitation standards and conditions
Collaborates with employees and management from all areas of the plant to ensure compliance with RSC guidelines, rules, and procedures
Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards
Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives
Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities
Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role
Follow batching instructions and product formulas with accuracy and precision
Measure, weigh, and dispense raw materials and ingredients according to standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Document all batch activities, including lot numbers, weights, and times, on appropriate forms or in digital systems
Perform pre-op checks, equipment calibration, and verification activities before batching begins
Coordinate with QA and Production teams to ensure timely delivery of batches to production lines
Take product samples as required and deliver them to the quality lab for testing
Identify and report deviations or out-of-spec materials immediately to QA or Supervisory staff
Maintain cleanliness of batching equipment and work area in compliance with GMP and sanitation guidelines
Handle and store raw materials and ingredients properly to avoid contamination or spoilage
Support inventory rotation (FIFO) and assist with material reconciliation
Adhere to all plant safety policies, food safety regulations, and company procedures