QA Technician I

Select Milk•Coopersville, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Continental Dairy Facilities is Select Milk Producer’s state-of-the-art powder milk and butter facility in Coopersville, Michigan. The QA Technician I performs analytical and microbiological evaluations of raw, pasteurized, and finished products, while adhering to applicable USDA, FDA, AOAC, GFSI, GMP, safety, and company requirements. This is a night-shift position scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. on a 2-2-3 schedule. Employees must be willing to work weekends and holidays that fall within their schedule. The stated pay range is $26.00–$32.00, with a $1.25 night-shift premium. The role operates and assists with laboratory testing equipment, performs quality checks and analyses, documents and communicates results, maintains laboratory supplies and cleanliness, and supports training, equipment calibration, environmental monitoring, and investigations of incidents and out-of-specification products. The position reports to the Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Supervisor and is non-exempt.

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science, Microbiology, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field, or comparable experience in dairy laboratory testing in five of the last ten years.
Must be able to acquire a Certified Sampler license from the state regulatory agency.
Must be able to obtain licensure as a Certified Industry Analyst in accordance with the current Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and state regulatory agency requirements.
Work safely and efficiently and follow safety procedures, including using safety equipment.
Be able to troubleshoot small problems and recognize when issues require input from higher levels of authority.
Be willing to ask for assistance when a process is unclear.

Responsibilities

Perform analytical and microbiological evaluations of raw, pasteurized, and final products.
Operate laboratory testing equipment safely, efficiently, and sanitarily, including spectrometers, FTIR analyzers, moisture analyzers, pH meters, burets, beta and aflatoxin analyzers, chlorine analyzers, and pipettors.
Perform daily quality audits and checks on the plant floor as assigned.
Accurately complete required worksheets and logs in electronic or paper form.
Maintain test results confidentially and communicate results to appropriate individuals in a timely and professional manner.
Maintain a clean, orderly work area and keep laboratories stocked with necessary supplies.
Complete quality-related tasks, including certificates of analysis.
Prepare solutions and media required for laboratory testing.
Notify the FSQA Supervisor, FS Coordinator, FSQA Manager, and appropriate production supervisors about unusual results or product defects.
Perform necessary analytical and microbiological re-checks.
Assist with training new Quality Assurance personnel.
Assist with laboratory equipment calibration, troubleshooting, and functionality.
Perform inhibitory tests; total-solids and moisture analyses; inventory sample analysis; powder tests for scorched particles and moisture; Whey Protein Nitrogen Index tests; and bacteria tests, including Aerobic Plate Count, Coli, and Yeast & Mold.
Obtain required series samples, composite samples for third-party testing, and properly identify outgoing samples for third-party testing.
Immediately report equipment damage, irregular activity, or unsafe conditions to supervision.
Follow safety, work, and Good Manufacturing Practices rules.
Assist with the plant environmental monitoring program.
Assist with investigations of plant incidents and out-of-specification products.
Perform other duties assigned by management.