Quality Control Lab Technician

Kate Farms • Goleta, CA

9d • $22 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

ABOUT KATE FARMS Kate Farms is a company with heart. Our company was founded on the belief that good nutrition leads to good health, and good health opens the door to endless possibilities. That’s why our mission is to make nutrition the cornerstone of healthcare so people can live their best lives. We are a medical food company that makes complete nutrition formulas for people who have a medical need for liquid nutrition. Kate Farms works to be the place where a diverse mix of talented individuals want to come, stay, and do their best work. Ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is at the core of Kate Farms’ values. We are an equal-opportunity employer and fully focused on equality; we believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different. We invite you to do the best work of your life with us at Kate Farms. POSITION OVERVIEW The QC Lab Technician will operate within the Quality Control arm of the Quality and Regulatory Affairs Department. In this role, the QC Lab Technician will conduct physical laboratory tests in support of research and development and commercial product testing programs using various scientific equipment and bench chemistry techniques. The QC Lab Technician will be expected to learn and understand the requirements for Corporate Food Safety and Quality, ensuring all QC objectives are met. The ideal candidate must be adaptable to a dynamic work environment, willing to learn, and willing to collaborate with all functional groups. Quality Control is an integral part of the Quality and Regulatory Affairs team, which ensures a full slate of safe, wholesome, and clinically effective food products in their development and finished phases meet set standards of quality, uniformity, and performance. To further our advancement in plant-based nourishment, Kate Farms has established the Innovation and Quality Center in Goleta, where a Pilot Plant, along with a state-of-the-art laboratory, is situated to support evaluation of R&D-scale production, Product Development, Quality Control, and full-scale analytical and functional testing. The QC Lab Technician will be immersed in game-changing food technology and support advanced testing activities.

Requirements

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be comfortable in a chemistry laboratory environment where hazardous materials (biological and chemical) are present and require direct handling and exposure.
• Possess basic competency in mathematical skills.
• Must pass a skills evaluation for basic math proficiency and attention to detail during the interview.
• Must have operating knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Has the ability to operate laboratory equipment and follow written procedures and protocols.
• Can work with a sense of urgency in response to changing priorities.
• Is self-motivated and able to think independently and to work with minimal supervision.
• Has excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills for working across departments and teams.
• Has good written and oral communication skills in the English language.
• Has a strong commitment to company mission and values.
• Can work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectfully shares and accepts feedback willingly from all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Perform required routine and non-routine finished product tests in support of hold and release of commercial products according to SOPs.
• Operate and maintain laboratory instruments (pH, viscosity and density meters, solid analyzer, balances, etc.) and support miscellaneous testing needs with these instruments.
• Accurately record test results in LIMS, report any out-of-specification results, and assist with investigations.
• Use Excel spreadsheets and basic formulas to perform calculations.
• Support third-party laboratory test submissions, including electronic submittals, sample shipping, tracking, notifications, receiving reports, and data entry.
• Manage lab supplies and product inventory for the QC team and ensure adequate supply for various test needs.
• Help with organizing and maintaining the retention sample library.
• Maintain current knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices and required regulatory compliance.
• Handle and dispose of hazardous materials according to local, state, and federal regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• For full-time salaried or hourly workers, our total rewards package also include the option to enroll in a company-matched 401k plan, as well as participate in Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents.
• Employees will also receive a generous PTO benefit with a starting accrual of 15 days per year (prorated upon hire and increased by tenure), two weeks of paid “Refresh” leave, 80 hours of paid sick leave annually, and 11 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Kate Farms offers a range of other benefits offered with an emphasis on employee well-being such as paid disability leave, paid parental / pregnancy leave, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), tuition reimbursement, an Employee Assistance Program, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees