ITQ Technologist (Food Production Technician)

Merck & Co.; Golden Valley (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in Minnesota is seeking an ITQ Technologist for the Cereal platform on the 2nd shift (2 PM–10 PM, Monday–Friday with occasional weekends). The role focuses on setting up, sanitation, and running equipment for trials while delivering strong ITQ platform support.

Candidates should have at least 1 year of sanitation experience, a high school diploma or GED, and the ability to lift up to 55 lbs. The job requires teamwork, problem-solving, and a readiness to learn across operations to

Qualifications

• Sanitation experience in a manufacturing or food environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
• Basic computer literacy and aptitude for learning new software.
• Commitment to food safety and human safety requirements.
• Ability to adapt to changing schedules and priorities.
• Willingness to learn across operations to support future development.

Responsibilities

• Safely operates equipment and conducts sanitation for trials.
• Provides strong customer service support to ITQ platforms, focusing on the Cereal platform.
• Leads risk assessments and supports food safety leadership.
• Maintains multi-system skills; can train others and coach teammates.
• Supports equipment setup and complex system operations and inspections.

Skills

Sanitation experience

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Communication

Learning agility

Basic computer skills

Adaptability

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Tools

Office Suite

Job description

Position Title: ITQ Technologist - Cereal 2nd Shift

Max Pay Rate: *** /hr

Schedule: 2PM - 10PM Monday - Friday; occasional weekends

This position is scheduled five days per week, 8 hours per day from the hours of 2PM - 10PM.

Actual days of the work week, start times and end times may change based on business needs. This position is considered a flex position in that the employee would provide support to not just the cereal platform but can learn various operations for different business to build breadth of capabilities for future development.

• With advance notification, the candidate will be required to flex to a different shift or have different hours based on evolving business needs.
• This candidate may be required to work up to 4 hours of overtime before or after their assigned shift and/or occasionally support 8-12 hours on the weekend.

Position Overview

The Operations Technologist role involves autonomously setting up, completing sanitation and running equipment for trials. He or she exhibits strong customer service for various ITQ platforms. In this role, you will be providing support to various platforms with a focus on the Cereal platform.

Key Accountabilities

• Safely operates equipment, understands food safety requirements and ability to perform risk assessments
• Human and Food Safety Leadership: Can lead teams through projects / efforts to find and resolve safety risks.
• Maintains skills on multiple unit operations/systems; mastery is present on some systems. Can run systems with efficiency / Can teach on some systems. Knowledge and capability drive incremental value to customers. Can train others.
• Leads equipment sanitation activities with capability to inspect following sanitation. Leader in more complex system setup.
• Maintenance/Electrical/Controls with a technical focus

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 1 year of sanitation experience
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Ability to lift consistently & repeatedly, manipulate & transport ingredients or equipment, up to 55 lbs.
• Comfortable in processing (pilot plant or plant) environment
• Confidence in autonomously operating equipment
• Ability to assess and solve technical/mechanical problems
• Basic computer/technology skills (Office Suite, other computer programs)
• Strong understanding of food safety and human safety
• Experience of working in teams to deliver results
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills
• Ability to coach, train & develop others
• Translate technical expertise to business impact
• Strong communication skills with peers and with customers
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment
• Ability to communicate effectively and contribute to a team environment
• Interpersonal ability to build relationships at all levels within the organization to advance your work
• Ability to diagnose and resolve conflicts with others
• Desire to learn new concepts quickly and apply in productive ways
• Maturity to navigate and lead through stressful situations
• Strong self-starter and holds a high regard for quality of work, seeks out opportunity to add value
• Ability to influence others
• Leadership within a team and ownership within your work
• Effectively manage multiple competing priorities
• High efficiency in ways of working

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous work experience in a similar field
• Foodservice & Laboratory experience
• Passionate around the creation of food, Client industry, and consumer trends (both food and packaging)

Job Sumary

Position Title: ITQ Technolog...

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