Quality and Food Safety Technician

This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption. Click here to learn more.

Job Description

Summary:

The Quality and Food Safety Technician will support the quality programs at the O’Fallon manufacturing facility. This includes ensuring finished products are logged in, tested, and cleared. This role will also support the food safety program by conducting internal audits and preforming environmental monitoring. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring product samples are composited, tested, and cleared prior to shipment to support the positive release program. Create COA’s in accordance with quality assurance testing program.

• Responsible for ensuring raw materials are in specification, logged in, tested as appropriate, and cleared for use.

• Maintain the O’Fallon Quality Assurance Laboratory including calibration and routine maintenance of laboratory instrumentation.

• Order and maintain inventory of laboratory supplies.

• Review quality and production records to ensure compliance to programs and documentation requirements. This includes records for cleaning and sanitation, CCPs and IFS shop orders.

• Support the environmental monitoring program by performing swabbing activities, collecting samples, and ensuring proper testing is performed.

• Develop, maintain, and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions as required. 

• Conduct food safety audits to ensure Good Manufacturing Practices and AFB’s Food Safety Program are being followed.

• Support the AFB Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure all practices are executed in accordance with these standards.

• Participate in root cause investigations and CAPA for food safety and quality issues that arise in O’Fallon.

• Participate in problem solving initiatives in accordance with EBOS principles to resolve customer complaints.

• Work closely with Operations and Customer Service to ensure that customer orders are shipped on time and without any quality concerns.

Supervisory Responsibilities:                      

This position will not have direct reports.

Qualifications:

• Required:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from four-year college or university in Food Safety, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology and no experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Desired:

  • Knowledge of Current Good Manufacturing Practices

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to maintain accurate records relating to jobs as they are planned performed and completed.  Skill to use electronic means for recording data.

• Good interpersonal communication skills to interact effectively with peers, co-workers, scientists, researchers, supervisors, customers and vendors as required.

• Ability to follow instructions and respond to management direction.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical materials.

• Proficient skill level in MS Office Applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Knowledge of safety practices applicable to laboratory and manufacturing environments and ability to follow designated safety procedures.

• Expert organizational skills and attention to detail.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb flights of stairs and ladders. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is usually well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office/production setting with adequate ventilation. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to dust, airborne particles, loud noises and vibrations. The noise level in the production environment is usually loud; ear protection is required.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.