QA Lab Tech - Ross Plant

Tree Top•Selah, WA

3d•$22 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Perform quality tests and analysis on products produced by utilizing lab equipment and customer specifications, and by communicating with co-workers and supervisors. To ensure that lab duties are accomplished, support implementation of continuous improvement activities, and provide training support for production, supply usage, and quality specifications; input data into system, and Maintain accurate, detailed and complete documentation to ensure finished product integrity.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read and write English and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and speak effectively with co-workers, managers, supervisors, and operators.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentages.
Ability to lead, coach, and direct crew to meet process and production objectives.
Communicate effectively to accomplish on-the-job training programs.
Lead by example.
Follow the basic principles of leadership: Focus on the situation, issue, or behavior, not the person; Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of others; Maintain constructive relationships with employees, peers, and managers; Take initiative to make things better.
Regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.
Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell product.
Must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Frequently works near moving mechanical parts.
Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
Occasionally works in high, precarious places and in outside weather conditions.
Occasionally exposed to extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually high.
Must successfully complete a background check and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Input data into system.
Maintain accurate, detailed and complete documentation to ensure finished product integrity.
Support implementation of continuous improvement activities.
Provide training support for production, supply usage, and quality specifications.
Applications and usage of the Crunch Meter.
Calibrate thermometers and other equipment as required, and log the information.
Check granulation, moisture, temperature, sieve, and Sulfite additives to ensure specifications are met.
Monitor metal detectors, magnets, scales, and temperature of product to assure proper operation.
Save one sample per pallet per shift, for vacuum oven testing.
Save "retain" samples.
Ensure that bags are sealed correctly.
Verify that label item numbers, case numbers, and case weights are correct.
Fill out hold tickets and foreign material reports as needed.
Perform analytical analysis: Preservative testing, Water Activity, Vacuum Oven.
Record usage (pallet number and cases per item).
Adjust inventory off in system.
Recognize quality issues.
Notify Supervisor of non-conforming issues.
Notify Maintenance of quality issues.
Verify correct size of cut.
Blend inventory to meet specification.
Place product on hold for foreign material or non-conforming product.
Investigate cause with Supervisor(s) and Maintenance (Food Safety Team).
Grade for product attributes.
Notify Supervisor and Team Lead of products' adherence to specifications.
Paperwork must be clean and neat (no white-out or write-over permitted).
Grade Sheet.
Metal Detector and Magnet Reports.
Pallet Tickets and Hold Tickets.
Foreign Material Reports.
Vacuum Oven Report.
Calibration Logbook.
Log all of the day's activities and problems.
Monitor all supplies and notify QA Manager to order as needed (Chemicals, bags, pens, etc.).
File all paperwork daily.
Properly disposition product appropriately on the HOLD logbook.
Know all critical control points in all processes; i.e.: metal detection, pasteurization.

Responsibilities

Communicate quality assurance information with production employees and Supervisors.
Notify shift Supervisor and QA Manager of foreign material and process problems in a timely manner and participate in root cause and corrective action.
Communicate with mechanics, Team Leads and co-workers when necessary.
Communicate with Research and Development on special projects and report findings.
Inform Q.A. Manager of any problems, deviations, and corrective actions.
Review product specification sheet prior to each run and at the start of each shift.
Calibrate equipment as required, and log the information.
Check and print the specification sheets for the day.
Perform Sulfite and granulation tests to meet specifications.
Analyze composite sample for specification attributes.
Record all results to grade sheet.
Check product for defects (taste test).
Inform Supervisor and Team Lead of status.
Monitor scales, metal detector, and magnets.
Fill out hold tickets as needed.
Check each pallet label to verify that item numbers, case numbers, and case weights are correct.
Save three samples of product (or more if needed) per line, per shift, for vacuum oven testing.
Collect samples for micro analysis.
Input data into computer.
Operate computer to perform data entry, which includes Microsoft Office, Movex, Intelex, etc.
Maintain GMPs by cleaning lab equipment after use, maintaining a clean work area, wiping counters, and ensuring cleaning procedures are followed.
Adhere to GMP standards throughout the entire plant and adhere to chemical safety hygiene plant.
Ensure Food Safety by Following Food Safety Plan, maintaining personal cleanliness, washing hands frequently, wearing hairnet and sanitary gloves, following proper chemical storage protocol, avoiding cross-contamination, following color code policy, and being familiar with all HACCP, PFD's and Food Safety Plans.
Oversee the lab operation on your shift.
Make sure to have a complete and clear understanding of all Lock-Out Tag-Out procedures and use them at all times.
Train other Quality Assurance Technicians on the use of instruments, equipment, and chemicals, teach techniques and procedures, report problems to QA Manager/Supervisor, and provide instruction and follow-up in data entry.