Lab Technician

Dairy Farmers of America; Cass City (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the dairy sector is seeking a dedicated laboratory technician to support quality program activities. This role involves performing essential laboratory analyses, maintaining compliance with safety and quality standards, and ensuring the accuracy of documentation. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to quality assurance and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Join a team that values integrity and excellence, and contribute to maintaining the highest standards in dairy production. If you are passionate about quality and safety in the food industry, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Previous quality assurance or laboratory experience preferred.
• Ability to learn and apply GMP and Laboratory Best Practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory analyses and manage lab areas and equipment.
• Complete lab analytical testing records and monitor compliance.

Skills

Laboratory Testing

Quality Assurance

Record Keeping

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Attention to Detail

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP System

Job description

Support Cass City's quality program activities perform laboratory analyses with documentation and manage laboratory areas and equipment.

• Maintain laboratory and associated areas in an orderly and clean manner in accordance to 5S methodology, which is to create a clean orderly environment where there is a place for everything and everything is in its place


• Perform sampling of raw milk, in-process, or finished products for analyses


• Perform chemical, physical, and microbiological testing of in-process and finished products


• Complete lab analytical testing records and monitor records for compliance / trending


• Report non-compliant laboratory analytical testing results to the QA Manager (Plant Manager)


• Maintain laboratory records in a timely, accurate, and legible manner following laboratory best practices


• Calibrate and maintain laboratory instrumentation per vendor recommendations and/or laboratory best practices


• Perform preventive maintenance, function verification, and quality control tasks


• Wash lab utensils and glassware


• Receive, stock, and inventory lab supplies and reagents


• Prepare and stock reagents and media


• Prepare labeling of testing analysis samples to testing laboratories


• Perform inventory control management


• Maintain and verify accuracy of documents


• Maintain safe working conditions for employees and compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues


• Dedicate effort to safety as we expect every employee to leave work in the same condition as they arrived


• Participate in weekly safety observation program


• Participate in monthly GMP inspection program


• Exhibit the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America through honesty, discretion, and sound judgement


• Follow all Dairy Farmers of America GMP's and work in a manner consistent with all corporate and regulatory quality and sanitation requirements


• Adhere to all DFA Quality, Safety, and GMP policies and procedures and report any nonconformity


• Attend required training, including but not limited to, Safety, GMP, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Safe Quality Foods (SQF)


• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required.


• Other duties may be assigned as required.


• Become familiar with the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices and Pasteurized Milk Ordinance requirements for plant and laboratory operation


• Follow all DFA GMP's in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality and sanitation requirements


• Aseptically complete weekly environmental surveillance sampling for salmonella and listeria per Corporate QA & C program. Submit samples to Merieux Labs for analysis. Manage documentation for program. Communicate weekly with Quality Manager


• Complete weekly food contact sampling via quick-swabs and ATP. Communicate weekly with Quality Manager


• Complete monthly air monitoring sampling and manage documentation for program. Communicate monthly with Quality Manager


• Organize and perform data entry of PEM program COA's, Finished goods - powder results of COA's micro results and other records as requested on SAP system


• Support Quality Plan Requirements and HACCP Program; assist in the monitoring of CQP's in facility. Report to QA Manager


• Demonstrate sound judgment in safeguarding customer, company, and vendor and employee information


• Be responsible for the attainment of plant goals and objectives


• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with customers, vendors, employees and peers

• High School Diploma or equivalent


• Previous quality assurance or laboratory experience preferred; including food, medical or pharmaceutical manufacturing


• Able to learn and apply Good Manufacturing Practices, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance program, and Laboratory Best Practices to daily job performance


• Ability to complete the required training assigned


• Working knowledge of personal computer and Microsoft Office software


• Good record keeping skills manage task completion to a defined timeline; demonstrate ability to complete analyses and documentation with accuracy


• Must be able to use plant equipment, laboratory apparatus, and office automation equipment


• Must be able to firmly adhere to the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America

An Equal Opportunity Employer