Food Safety and Quality Lab Technician - 2nd Shift - Cedar Rapids Plant

General Mills; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Total Rewards package

Job summary

General Mills, Inc. is seeking a Quality Assurance/Quality Control support role on the 2nd shift (3pm–11pm) to assist production, packaging and processing operations. The position requires handling laboratory testing, data entry, and participation in startup, changeover and shutdown activities.

Responsibilities include leading investigations for food safety incidents, conducting GMP audits, and supporting HACCP compliance. Must be able to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Qualifications

• Must have strong analytical and data-handling capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Business generally conducted in English; good communication with teams is essential.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for food safety and quality events and coordinate next steps.
• Perform analytical testing and operate lab equipment (HPLC, titrimeter, colorimeter).
• Conduct GMP and process audits in production and storage areas.
• Enter data into Quality System databases and report monthly summaries.
• Train staff on Quality topics and support HACCP compliance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

English communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate's/Bachelor's Degree

Tools

HPLC

Titrimeter

Colorimeter

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what's next.

POSITION OVERVIEW

General Mills, Inc. manufactures some of the most beloved foods in the world, including Cheerios and Lucky Charms, Nature Valley granola bars, and Totino's pizza rolls. Blue Buffalo became part of General Mills in 2018, so even your pets love us too. We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together.

This opening is for 2nd shift, 3pm-11pm. Flexibility in working hours may be required depending on business needs. Ability and willingness to work overtime, any shift, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Plant operation is 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Shift hours (8-hour shifts)

• 1st shift: 7 am to 3 pm
• 2nd shift: 3 pm to 11 pm
• 3rd shift: 11 pm to 7 am

As a part of our manufacturing group, you will be responsible for supporting production, packaging and processing operations, sanitation and participation in startup, changeover, and shutdown of operating equipment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Be the first point of contact for food safety and quality events, including completing initial investigation, providing direction to the respective teams on next steps, reaching out to support as needed depending on severity of the event, and holding product as necessary
• Analytical & physical lab testing: HPLC, titrimeter, colorimeter, density, viscosity, etc.
• Conducting GMP and Process Audits in the production and storage areas of the plant
• Perform data entry into the various Quality System databases
• Responsible for reporting monthly summaries of Quality system functions
• Present training in Quality subjects to new and existing employees
• Support HACCP program to assure compliance with company policies
• Must be able to work overtime and weekends
• Support Analytical Quality Assurance program
• Support routine maintenance and troubleshooting of lab equipment
• Assist in training new employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma +2 years of relevant work experience OR an associate's/bachelor's degree.
• A proven ability to manage multiple projects while performing everyday tasks is essential
• Must possess the ability to understand and effectively communicate with co-workers, supervisors and others in the workplace regarding work matters (our business is generally conducted in English).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Must be able to perform physical tasks for extended periods of time including standing, walking, climbing, bending, pushing, pulling and twisting over surfaces
• Ability to climb and/or work at heights while utilizing stairs, ladders, personnel lifts, or platforms
• Ability to wear protective clothing and equipment such as safety shoes, face masks, safety glasses, hearing protection, a hard hat, a hair/beard net and gloves when required
• Willing and able to adhere to all grooming requirements necessary for a food manufacturing environment
• Ability to work in hot, cold, noisy, dusty, wet environmental working conditions
• Willing to work around industrial high-speed moving machinery
• Ability to work with allergens that might be present in a food environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of experience in a manufacturing/production environment
• Previous lab or food safety/quality department experience

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

SALARY RANGE

$48,700 - $67,100 Annual

Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retire