Quality Assurance (QA) Laboratory Technician

Deschutes Brewery•Bend, OR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The QA Lab Technician is responsible for conducting lab operations to support brewing, packaging, and warehouse production of our damn tasty beer. As a member of the Deschutes Brewery Quality team, you will learn multiple skills from well-qualified co-owners and be able to apply that knowledge to your problem-solving teams, troubleshooting efforts, and daily work. You will be working in a fast-paced, team environment where you will be working with minimal supervision and operating under GMP and Food Safety rules. Training is provided.

Requirements

Four-year college degree in Fermentation/Food Science or related disciplines OR at least 3 years of related manufacturing and/or lab experience OR a combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to meet the position requirements.
Success working in a team environment, working with diverse personality and communication styles.
Ability to work independently and effective time management skills.
Solid written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Packaging / Brewing.
Experience in a team-based production environment.
General lab experience, preferably either with analytical and/or microbiological focus.
Computer proficiency with Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

Operate lab equipment: Beer analyzer, gas chromatograph, spectrometer, and Package Analyzer.
Conduct packaging line quality control checks, including container integrity checks, beer quality checks and packaging line audits; work with packaging operators to take corrective actions as needed.
Operate packaging inspection equipment on the packaging lines.
Operate, calibrate, and maintain portable quality control equipment.
Beer analysis to determine alcohol content, total package oxygen, International Bittering Units measurements, wort color, etc.
Perform microbiology tasks such as media preparation, sample plating, equipment sterilization, etc.
Maintain and manage sensory samples and sensory library.
Communicate and report product nonconformities.
Support production schedule timeline with timely tank releases to packaging and start up checks for each production line.
General housekeeping in all areas the Quality team is responsible for.
Support Deschutes Brewery strategic initiatives and goals.
Additional job duties will change as needed to cover Quality Team operations and all internal and external customer needs.
Other duties as assigned.