Laboratory Technician II

Foremost Farms; Greenville (MI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Generous Paid Time Off

10 Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Life and Disability Insurance

Daily Pay Option

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Referral Program

Career Growth Opportunities

Job summary

Foremost Farms is seeking a Laboratory Technician to accurately sample and test raw materials, in-process, and finished products in accordance with customer and company standards. The role focuses on analytical and microbiological requirements, ensuring GMP/GLP compliance and proper documentation.

You will handle reagent preparation, culture media, and control samples, while maintaining data integrity in R12 and related databases on a production floor setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma.
• 2–3 years of job-related experience.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Able to follow instructions and procedures with a high degree of accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Performs sampling and testing practices to ensure consistency and accuracy of results.
• Prioritizes and prepares lab samples for testing and shipment to other labs and customers.
• Prepares necessary reagents, microbial culture media, and controls according to standard formulas.
• Conducts sampling in the production environment including environmental pathogen sponges, ATP swabs, and clean equipment.

Skills

Laboratory sampling

Analytical testing

Documentation accuracy

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree or lab certification

Familiarity with lab environment

Electronic/computerized lab equipment knowledge

Tools

Lab equipment handling

Database entry (R12)

Job description

Position Overview

The Laboratory Technician is responsible for the accurate sampling and testing of raw materials, in-process, and finished products for analytical and microbiological requirements that align with customer and company standards.

Key Accountabilities

Performs sampling and testing practices that align with our business strategy and documented laboratory procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy of results.

• Prioritizes and prepares lab samples for testing and shipment to other labs and customers.
• Prepares necessary reagents, microbial culture media, and controls according to standard formulas.
• Conducts sampling in the production environment including but not limited to environmental pathogen sponges, ATP swabs, clean equipment and operational swabs.
• Performs analytical tests and completes required documentation for samples, incoming, and finished products.
• Accurately enters test results into R12 and other utilized databases.
• Participates in Proficiency Testing program and achieves satisfactory results for analytical and microbiological samples.
• Cleans and sterilizes laboratory equipment and waste.

Achieves a culture of excellence by adhering to safety guidelines, working with integrity, and communicating effectively with the team.

• Cleans and maintains lab equipment, including recalibration of equipment.
• Assists Laboratory/Quality Control Supervisor in troubleshooting efforts with equipment.
• Follows established guidelines and criteria when performing retests.
• Complies with all company safety policies, Good Manufacturing Practices(GMPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)s, and state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Interprets lab results and escalates out of spec or suspect results to leadership staff.
• Participates in laboratory investigations when needed.
• Facilitates training of new laboratory technicians.

This role is responsible for monitoring and/or verifying of control points and maintaining the related required documentation. For example, Critical Control Points(CCP), Preventive Controls(PC), Critical Quality Points(CQP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points(HACCP), and Safe Quality Food(SQF) plans. This is not an all inclusive list.

Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma.
2. 2-3 years of job-related experience.
3. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
4. Able to follow instructions and procedures with a high degree of accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Associate degree or lab certification preferred.
2. Familiarity with a lab environment.
3. Understanding of electronic and computerized laboratory equipment.

Key competencies

• Facilitate trusting relationships through effective communication, follow through on commitments, resolving conflicts and recognizing the good work of others.
• Regularly challenge the status quo by identifying opportunities for improvement, challenging the current state, and understanding that change and growth are ongoing.
• Demonstrate growth-oriented qualities by asking questions, being curious open-minded, agile, learning from failures and inspiring the same in others.
• Demonstrate self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses and seeking feedback to improve.
• Communicate to share relevant information proactively and brings others along

Physical Setting

Job Setting: Plant Laboratory and Production Floor

Benefits:

At Foremost Farms, we believe that you and your family matter most. That’s why we’re proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and competitive benefits packages in the area — designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Flexible coverage with options to meet the needs of you and your family
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – 100% company match on up to 8% of your contributions
• Generous Paid Time Off – Start with 200 hours of PTO (pro-rated for first year)
• 10 Paid Holidays – Enjoy time to rest and recharge
• Paid Parental Leave –6 weeks fully paid
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – when you elect the high-deductible health plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Save for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life and Disability Insurance – Financial protection for you and your loved ones
• Daily Pay Option – Access your earnings when you need them
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support for life’s challenges
• Referral Program – Earn rewards for bringing great people to our team
• Career Growth Opportunities – Advance your skills and your career with us

Don’t meet every single requirement?At Foremost Farms we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.