Quality Control Lab Tech (5pm-5:30am, 2/2/3/2 Rotating Schedule - Crew R4)

Description

SUMMARY: Responsible for performing the necessary testing of raw materials, water, sweetener, and the finished product to ensure a high level of quality.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

• Perform quality assurance tests and record data and any adjustments for such testing. These tests would include but not be limited to:
• Water Treatment - chlorine level testing/documentation, turbidity, alkalinity testing/documentation, mixing of treatment chemicals/TOA.
• Microbiological – draw samples weekly or as needed and perform microbial testing and record keeping.
• Sweetener – inspection of incoming product, oversee the unloading process, microbial testing/documentation, TOA, specific gravity (brix) calculation of volume delivered and record keeping.
• Finished Syrup – test and record syrup ph, TOA, brix and assay.
• Finished Product – Test and record data on finished product carbonation, brix, TOA, assay and ph. Make machine adjustments based on test results.
• Packaging – ensure proper closure application testing and record keeping, package code legible, package temperature at dew point.
• Inventory – maintain sufficient inventory level of testing supplies and water treatment chemicals.
• Equipment Backwash and Sanitation – Quality Control Tech could be responsible for water treatment backwashing and sanitation of the flo-mix, carbo-cooler and filter.
• Cleanup – The Quality Control Techs will be responsible for keeping the work area in the lab clean and organized. They are also responsible for housekeeping of the water treatment room.
• Continuous monitoring of product quality.
• Attend training and seminars to stay abreast on quality standards of our industry.
• Other duties may be assigned or requested.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

Requirements

COMPETENCIES: Good interpersonal and written/verbal communication skill required. Requires a high of mechanical aptitude and ability to use small hand tools necessary to modify, repair and perform setup/changeover of the product line in a timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Education and/or Experience: High School Diploma or GED preferred but not required. One (1) year general work experience required working with minimal supervision. Prior Quality Control experience a plus.
• Language Skills: Ability to read. Ability to respond to common inquires. Must be able to write clearly and record very precise data.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Use of calculator in determining percentages, a good understanding of basic algebraic calculations is necessary in calculating acidity of citrus based products.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions supplied both written and verbal. Due to fast paced environment and the critical measurements being monitored, the employee must be very alert.

Computer Skills: Good skills required for recording and tracking inventory, results of testing, reporting, and calculating batches.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None.

Other Skills and Abilities: Follow-up and attention to detail.

Other Qualifications: None.

TRAVEL REQUIRED: None.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch/kneel bend and reach.

The employee will be on feet for multiple hours, moving, bending, lifting, stacking, un-stacking, squatting, and stretching in performing the essential functions of position.

The employee is required to lift and/or move, bend and rotate at the waist a minimum of 90 degrees while handling weights from 10 to 50 pounds from floor level to a height of 60 inches.

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision. Requires working beyond normal work hours on occasion.

Climbing of ladders to top of trailer to retrieve sweetener samples, back down the ladder with samples. This is required 1 to 3 times per day.

Stand and walk all of work shift. Move quickly in an area that may be wet and slippery. Squat and bend at the waist as necessary to move in, around and under conveyor lines.

Required to use small hand tools to make adjustments to line and assist with line changeovers.

Climbing ladder on water treatment tank to complete tasks (checking chemical flow rates and replacing chlorine tablets). Tank is approximately 20 feet high and is climbed 1 time per hour, 10 times during 10-hour shift per day.

Good hand/finger coordination that allows fine adjustments to be made quickly to avoid quality issues or line shutdowns.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to inside and outside work conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Floors may be wet/damp and slippery and safety shoes/boots are required. There will be exposure to temperature extremes while assisting with the unloading of sweetener in winter months.