DoD Skillbridge - Quality Assurance Technician - Active Military ONLY

Associated Milk Producers Inc; Sanborn, Debary (IA, FL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative cooperative is seeking an intern to join their quality assurance team. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in food safety and quality control within a leading dairy manufacturer. Interns will engage in essential lab activities, including testing and compliance, while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. Join a dynamic environment where your contributions will help uphold the high standards of product quality and safety. This internship is a stepping stone towards a potential full-time position, allowing you to develop valuable skills in the food industry.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of food safety and quality standards.
• Experience with laboratory testing and compliance procedures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct tests on finished products and incoming ingredients.
• Support operator training and maintain lab compliance.

Skills

Food Safety

Quality Assurance

Laboratory Techniques

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or related field

Relevant coursework in Quality Control

Tools

pH Meters

Laboratory Scales

Quality Monitoring Schemes (QMS)

Job description

Description

AMPI owns seven Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese, processed cheese, and butter is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese, butter, and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail, and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and the Co-op Crafted promise, emphasizing over 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled buttermakers and cheesemakers.

Internship Opportunity

This internship provides a learning program designed around training for a potential full-time role similar to the one described below. DoD SkillBridge participants are not eligible for compensation from AMPI, as they continue to receive military pay and benefits.

Essential Responsibilities

This list is not exhaustive and may include other duties as determined by management:

1. Report employee safety, food safety, and food quality issues to supervisory personnel.
2. This position has heightened responsibilities for food safety and quality.
3. Conduct required tests on finished products following SOPs and customer specifications.
4. Perform tests on incoming ingredients according to the Quality Monitoring Scheme (QMS).
5. Handle daily/weekly plating, reading, calibration, sample collection, and other lab activities.
6. Assist in investigations related to improvement projects, such as holds and consumer complaints, identifying root causes and corrective actions, and monitoring effectiveness.
7. Support operator training to ensure process checks are accurate and timely as per QMS.
8. Report out-of-specification results to supervisors.
9. Calibrate lab equipment like pH meters and scales according to SOPs.
10. Perform routine sample analyses using lab techniques and instrumentation, following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
11. Organize and maintain laboratory records and files, ensuring compliance with procedures and instructions.
12. Ensure proper documentation and storage of laboratory and quality records.
13. Support activities to maintain high standards of product quality, service, housekeeping, and hygiene in the laboratory and analytical areas.
14. Assist in maintaining laboratory compliance with SQF and AMPI requirements, including calibration and equipment testing.
15. Adhere to company policies on GMP, quality, and food safety, escalating issues as necessary.
16. Support GMP implementation and safety procedures throughout the plant.
17. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to complaints and holds.
18. Perform other duties as assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights under federal employment laws. For more information, review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.