Laboratory Technician

Horizon Organic Dairy, LL•Salt Lake City, UT

4d•$33•Onsite

About The Position

Tests and inspects products at various stages of production process, maintain quality and food safety of products by performing the following duties. This position is directly reported to the Quality Supervisor.

Requirements

Basic computer skills and knowledge of word processing and spread sheet programs.
Knowledgeable or ability to learn laboratory equipment commonly used in the food industry (examples, but not limited to pH meters, FT1, food scan, allergen testing, packaging, pipetting/ liquid handling, viscometers, etc.)
Understanding of calibration programs of food testing equipment.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical analysis. Ability to apply concepts such as fraction, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and regulations. Ability to write routine reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from other work groups in a professional manner.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree from a four-year college or university in Food Science or related area; two or more years related Quality experience. One year of relevant professional-level work experience may be substituted for one year of required education.
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related area Highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Helps maintain compliance to Food Safety, FSSC, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), FSMA, Regulations, Safety, and site procedures and policies.
Conducts start-up inspections, regular inspections, and inspections after interventions.
Complete turn packets for each turn on the fillers.
Equipment inspections and swabbing.
Verification of calibrations, lot code, peroxide spray, weight check, etc.
Verify run rules are being followed.
Verify GMP adherence in the plant
Ensure chemicals are fully stocked and operable e.g. foot sanitizer solution
Food safety violations are reported and corrected
Maintains Good Laboratory Practices (GLP’s) and Good Documentation Practices (GDP’s)
Selects products for testing at specified stages in the production process such as incoming ingredients, bulk, or finished product; and tests for a variety of qualities assuring compliance to specifications.
Chemical testing
Physical testing
Microbiological testing
Organoleptic testing
Tests raw milk, cream, or rework.
Reviews certificates of inspection/quality for compliance
Sampling for release testing
Additional sampling for investigations
Records and evaluates test data, alerting Quality Assurance Manager/ Supervisor to any deviations from specifications.
Enter analysis results into databases and analyze recorded information to determine if there are any trends.
Place finished product on “HOLD” status when results fall outside of acceptable range, investigate potential causes, and propose solutions. Assist in disposition of hold products through resampling or providing sorting instructions to production.
Prepares necessary reagents needed for laboratory functions.
Maintain the laboratory in a clean, safe, and orderly manner daily.
Master sanitation checklist, etc.
Maintains lab equipment and supplies including calibrations and checks as assigned. Assist with troubleshooting.
pH, Epic, scale, thermometer, etc.
Maintain, test, and organize retains for production.
Perform required environmental tests to ensure hygiene standards are met.
Behave in a professional and courteous manner treating everyone in the workplace with dignity and respect.
Actively seek out and engage other plant employees to gain additional knowledge about the plant operations.
Actively seek out and engage plant operators assigned to your shift and team to help improve their skills.
Establish a reputation for being open and responsive to quality related questions and plant needs.
Work as a team and make suggestions regarding continuous improvement ideas for the site.
Ability to work as team and autonomously.
Maintains records and documentation integrity.
Other duties as assigned.