QA Lab Tech III Visalia - Shift Flex
About The Position
The QA Lab Technician III is primarily responsible for advanced testing of juices and oils using HPLC, GC, and microbiological methods, and must also be skilled in the analytical procedures performed by QA Technician I and II. The role may cover any of the three shifts as needed and reports to the Quality Assurance Supervisor. The technician performs laboratory and production-process testing, maintains and troubleshoots laboratory equipment, records results, and supports food-safety and quality-control programs at the Visalia plant. The position spends approximately 80% of its time in a routine laboratory environment using juice-testing equipment or a computer, and approximately 20% in the plant obtaining samples, observing production practices, and communicating with supervisors and managers. Flexible and changing priorities and working under pressure are required. Overtime and weekends may be required.
Requirements
- Three to five years of experience in a food-processing environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Biology.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and large ERP applications.
- Ability to work successfully in a team environment.
- Ability to operate a centrifuge, HPLC, GC, automatic refractometer, and automatic titration equipment.
- Ability to perform microbiological testing.
- Ability to meet flexible and changing priorities and work under pressure.
Responsibilities
- Understand and document critical control points (CCPs) in the work area, and report food-safety or quality problems to the immediate supervisor.
- Test fresh-fruit samples every hour or as directed by management.
- Calibrate laboratory equipment at the beginning of each shift.
- Perform routine analytical tests to determine citric acid, Brix, ratio, fine pulp, coarse pulp, oil, defects, flavor, and color.
- Qualify production equipment and tankers for use through observation and bioluminescence swabs.
- Use HPLC to analyze limonin, preservatives, and naringin; troubleshoot equipment issues, create methodologies, perform quality-control tests, and conduct routine maintenance.
- Use GC to analyze essential oils and identify components such as p-cymene, octonol, and nanonol; create methodologies, perform quality-control tests, and conduct routine maintenance.
- Perform routine analyses of raw and finished essential-oil products, including aldehyde, ethanol, and optical rotation.
- Perform routine microbiological analyses and collect aseptic samples for microbiological testing.
- Enter data accurately and promptly into CitrOS/Sage, manipulate data, and enter test results into a computer.
- Pull samples from tanks and silos as directed.
- Audit the process during production runs and perform required pre-operational audits, including Hygiena swabs.
- Follow safety rules, wear required personal protective equipment, and follow personal hygiene and food-safety practices.
- Immediately report non-standard conditions to the Quality Assurance Supervisor.
- Act professionally toward customers, vendors, and other plant visitors; maintain reliable attendance, punctuality, and a positive attitude.
- Review documentation for CCP #1 (Pasteurization) and perform a secondary check for compliance with critical limits.
- Review documentation for CCP #2 (Filtration).
- Review documentation for CCP #3 (Tanker Inspection) and perform a secondary check for compliance with JPA guidelines.
- Review documentation for CCP #4 (Packaging).
- Perform other duties as assigned and required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
