Quality Control Lab Tech

National Beverage•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Quality Control Technician is responsible for quality programs and functions, including maintaining HACCP and food safety records, conducting plant audits and mock recalls, and training plant personnel on relevant procedures. The role tests ingredients, suppliers, packaging, concentrates, and beverage products to validate microbiological quality and provide data supporting high-quality production. Testing covers ingredients and products in process, in development, and in finished form. The technician also works with the R&D team on new product launches. The position supports production quality and regulatory compliance by conducting tests and evaluations, documenting results, troubleshooting batches and production-line issues, and taking corrective action. It also includes preparing and sanitizing batch tanks, managing pest-control checks and records, and helping supervisors address quality issues, analyze trends, and improve quality and production efficiency. The role requires a flexible full-time schedule that may include weekends and holidays, and travel to various locations in the organization's service area using personal transportation.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred, or equivalent experience.
Two to three years of hands-on work experience in the carbonated soft drink industry preferred.
Experience with quality-control testing procedures and internal and external sanitation of beverage equipment, with an understanding of blending, product attributes, recordkeeping, and yields.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft business applications and reporting software; proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word is required.
Exceptional interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common information, reports, and other documents; respond to common inquiries or complaints; and present information effectively to management.
Ability to follow OSHA-required training.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must pass a favorable background examination and drug examination.
Ability and willingness to work a flexible full-time schedule that may include weekends and holidays.
Must provide own transportation to various locations in organizational service areas as required by duties.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
Two to three years of hands-on work experience in the carbonated soft drink industry.

Responsibilities

Maintain HACCP and food safety records, conduct plant audits and mock recalls, and train plant personnel on related issues and procedures.
Test ingredients, suppliers, packaging, concentrates, and beverage products to validate microbiological quality and support high-quality production.
Test current and new concentrate ingredients in process and finished concentrates, as well as beverages in development and finished products.
Work with the R&D team on new product launches.
Know the applications of external and internal cleaning agents and sanitizers.
Document and follow procedures in the frequency guide and applicable standards.
Complete batch reports, calculate batch-size variations, and document required product attributes, standards, and other formula-specific data.
Measure materials and follow proper mixing procedures.
Evaluate and troubleshoot batches and make corrections.
Perform testing and evaluations, and document results according to procedures.
Troubleshoot production-line issues and take corrective action.
Prepare batch tanks for batching, rinsing, sanitation, odor checks, and tasting.
Carry out the internal pest-control program, including locating, checking, and cleaning stations and maintaining required documentation.
Assist supervisors with quality-control issues, track quality trends, and recommend and implement plans to improve quality and production efficiency.
Support compliance with federal and state legislation by establishing and enforcing quality standards and testing materials and products.
Collect, analyze, and summarize process-quality information and trends.