Lab Technician - 3rd Shift

Steuben Foods Inc.; Town of Elma (NY); On-site; USD 34,233 - 35,610; Full time

Job summary

Steuben Foods Inc. is seeking a Lab Tech Grade 1 in Elma, NY, to conduct tests and evaluations in the Quality Control Laboratory. Responsibilities include performing quantitative and qualitative tests on raw materials and maintaining compliance records. The role requires an Associate's or military degree in technical or physical sciences, and the pay range is $24.85 - $25.85 per hour. The position involves M-F, with rotational 12-hour shifts including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate's or military degree in technical or physical sciences required.
• Experience with testing quantitative and qualitative samples.
• Documenting results accurately and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Perform tests on raw materials, in-process and finished products.
• Communicate with personnel regarding out-of-specification results.
• Document and maintain accurate records and logs of test results.

Education

Associated or military degree in technical or physical sciences

Tools

pH meter and probes

Autoclave

Microwave

Water Bath

Balances and Certified Weights

Microscope

Dishwashers

Job description

Steuben Foods is a leading aseptic food and beverage manufacturer in the United States, proudly operating as a longstanding family-owned business. With roots firmly planted in Western New York, we are committed to providing our customers with superior aseptic products in a safe, clean, and efficient workplace environment. Our dedication to excellence in food safety and quality, innovation, and continued growth has propelled us to become a trusted name in the industry.

At our company, our core values include honesty, integrity, work ethic, loyalty, and accountability. We prioritize creating an environment where these values thrive, while also recognizing that our people are our most important asset. As a 700+ manufacturing company based in Western New York, we take pride in contributing to the local economy and community.

Lab Tech Grade 1

Position is responsible for performing all tests, analysis and evaluations in all of the primary plant production areas, effective communication with management and plant production personnel, documentation of compliance records and performance of job duties as outlined below in the Quality Control Laboratory.

Education Requirement

Minimum: Associated or military degree in technical or physical sciences.

Schedule

M-F, rotational 12 hour weekends and holidays. Weekly schedule is tentative and subject to changes based on production and staffing needs.

Equipment Knowledge

• pH meter and probes 17. Microwave
• Autoclave 18. CEM: Smart/Oracle/Trac
• Water Bath 19. Viscosity Dials
• Fixed Volume and Dairy Pipettes 20. Rheometer
• Balances and Certified Weights 21. H2O2 Aerometer
• Cryoscope 22. Thermometers
• Lactoscope 23. Hydrometer
• DMA500 & Abbemat 350 24. Incubators, Freezers, Refrigerator
• Microscope 25. ATPase testing equipment: Epic & Clean Trace
• Heat Block 26. Tetra conductivity and copper tester
• Flow & Fume Hood 27. Lateral Flow Devices
• Centrifuges 28. Automatic Titration System
• Environmental/Allergen/ATPase swab collections 29. Shear Mixer
• Salt Meter and probes 30. Interlock Allergen Screen
• Quebec Magnifier & Tally 31. Food Lab Jr
• Dishwashers

Job Duties

• Performs quantitative and qualitative tests on raw materials, work in process and finished products to determine composition, sensory, microbiological condition and compliance to specifications.
• Performs tests and evaluations of packaging materials and packs to determine integrity and compliance to specification.
• Documents results of testing, procedural methods, product condition and composition and process operating conditions on appropriate records and maintains such records in an accurate and orderly manner. Assures that records, logs and data are in compliance with associated regulatory and company requirements.
• Effectively communicates out of specification results of testing, evaluation or observation to appropriate company personnel to generate reaction to out of compliance conditions to prevent or minimize losses.
• Shows development of analytical and technical skills with passing grades in testing of internal/external blind sample programs.
• Begins to participate in performance and understanding of Tech 2 responsibilities.
• Participates in completion of Performance Excellence Program tasks.
• Effectively communicates assigned workload and work changes to the next shift. Reviews and initials laboratory communication log.
• Understands and performs basic instrument troubleshooting.
• Performs tasks in compliance with all company standards, including those for safety and efficiency.

Attends required OSHA and safety training classes.

Additional Duties

• Performs any other duties as assigned or required.

Job Functions

• Repeated movement from fluorescent laboratory lighting to standard production lighting.
• Reading of instrument LED screens from neutral background to schematic readings with flashing points.
• Opening, closing, and usage of laboratory chemicals.
• 6 stair ladder climb to silo platforms.
• Repeated movement from tempered laboratory to 100F processing rooms.
• Repeated movement from climate control laboratory to high humidity production floor areas.
• 3 stair climb to a platform and collection of product on a moving industrial beltline.
• Smell exposure to peracetic acid, iodine, and sanitizing chemicals.
• Walking alongside fork lift traffic.
• 12 staircase climb to walking platforms of production fillers and product blending systems.
• Collection of manufactured products (floor level) at open conveyor lines.

Pay Range

$24.85 - $25.85

Steuben Foods is committed to equal employment opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.