Quality Technician I

Leprino Foods Company•Town of Barton, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Technician I monitors product quality from incoming raw materials through finished products at Leprino Foods’ Waverly, NY facility. The role conducts product and process testing, records and uploads results to the company database, and communicates findings to production, warehouse, and management personnel. The technician follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), safely handles hazardous chemicals, and maintains accurate records. This is a relief/floater position at a 24/7 facility. Shifts vary according to company needs, with department hours of 4 a.m.–4 p.m. or 4 p.m.–4 a.m. Weekend and holiday availability, as well as required overtime, is necessary to support operations.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be able to work Sunday through Saturday, off-shifts, weekends, holidays, and required overtime to support a 24-hour, 7-day operation.
Demonstrated ability to complete work assignments with a high degree of accuracy.
Ability to read, write, and perform basic mathematical calculations.
Basic understanding of chemicals.
Ability to interpret data and make necessary decisions.
Ability to work independently without direct supervision.

Nice To Haves

One year of prior manufacturing experience.
Ability to obtain state certification if operating in the Milk Screening Lab.
Specific vision may be required, including close and distance vision, color and depth perception, and the ability to read computer screens for extended periods.
Good time management skills.

Responsibilities

Test product performance, including bulk grading and measuring melt, ribbon dimensions, and temperature; present performance test results to management during product showings.
Notify appropriate management personnel of out-of-specification conditions and place affected product on hold.
Collect, document, pack, and ship samples as required, maintaining accurate records.
Conduct product testing, including pH, titratable acidity, moisture, fat by Babcock test, total solids, sediment, granulation, ash, visual color, flavor, scorch particles, and other measures.
Operate a Cryoscope and pH meter to test incoming tanker milk samples.
Conduct periodic process checks and record keeping to ensure products are free of extraneous material, including monitoring GMPs and performing proper metal detector checks.
Perform all work safely and follow SOP and GMP guidelines.
Operate laboratory equipment, including a muffle oven, vacuum oven, pH meter, Ro-tap shaker, analytical balance, microscope, atmospheric oven, CEM Smart-5, FOSS IR, and hot plate.
Test in-process cheese production, drip samples, cream, liquid whey, and whey powder; conduct chemical analysis of finished cheese, milk, and cream.
Participate in the plant aseptic swabbing program.
Perform routine testing and control programs to monitor equipment procedures and verify accuracy; alert appropriate personnel to discrepancies.
Maintain accurate, concise, and detailed records of results and data; report out-of-specification conditions to Production and Quality Execution management.
Participate in split-sample programs to help ensure consistency among technicians and with Regional, Corporate, and State certification testing.
Follow safety procedures when handling flammable, caustic, and corrosive chemicals.
Coordinate with Production and Warehouse personnel to obtain samples and communicate results.