Peel Technician - Visalia - Shift 3 (71162)

Ventura Coastal, LLC; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Ventura Coastal, LLC in Visalia, CA is seeking a Peel Technician to test citrus peel after extraction and support QA operations. The role may fill in for the Fresh Fruit Lab Technician during the shift, reporting to the Quality Assurance Supervisor. Shift is 3rd with a differential and potential overtime.

Responsibilities include moisture analysis, data entry, and maintaining GMP and food safety practices across production. Prior lab experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• 1 year experience in a food processing environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and ERP software.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment such as CEM Moisture machine.
• High school graduate; post high school graduate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Test citrus peel after extraction and assist Fresh Fruit Lab Technician.
• Analyze peel samples for moisture content and other parameters (pH, acidity, etc.).
• Input data into Portal/CitrOS/Sage with accuracy and speed.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Laboratory skills

Education

High School Diploma

Post-secondary education preferred

Tools

CEM Moisture machine

ERP systems

Sage/Portal data entry

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Visalia Plant - Visalia, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $20.40 - $20.40Hourly, Job Category: QA - Quality Control, Location: 12310 Avenue 368| Visalia | CA | 93281

Hourly Rate: $20.40 (Overtime and weekends may be required)

Shift: 3rd Shift 10 pm - 6:30 am | Shift Differential $0.80 hour

Job Summary

The Peel Technician is the primary person responsible for the testing of citrus peel after the extraction of the fruit. The Peel Technician may fill in for the Fresh Fruit Lab Technician throughout the shift. The QA Peel Technician reports to the Quality Assurance Supervisor. The Peel Technician may work any shift.

Primary Responsibilities

• Food Safety is the responsibility of all Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees. All Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees must be aware of CCPs in their area and how to document them appropriately. All staff must report food safety and quality problems to their immediate supervisor in charge during their shift.
• Clean the fruit processor/blender each day.
• Sample all outgoing peel trucks under the peel bin.
• Analyze peel samples for moisture content using the CEM moisture machine.
• Blend peel samples until homogeneous and analyze in a timely manner.
• Input data into Portal/CitrOS/Sage with accuracy and speed.
• Communicate wet peel loads to production team to ensure corrective action.
• Perform pre-operational audit and qualify production equipment and tankers for use by observation and bioluminescence swabs.
• Perform analytical testing of incoming fresh fruit through in-process testing to ensure the integrity of the final product. Samples must be extracted and analyzed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Perform analytical testing for brix, acidity, pH, coarse pulp, defects, and oil.
• Analyze oil content using Berkel machine.
• Perform oil efficiency testing in for feed, separator and crème tanks.
• Pull aseptic samples from tanks and silos as directed.
• Pull aseptic micro samples and perform product testing for pulp production lots.
• Perform chemical concentration level testing on PAA and water chlorine.
• Perform plantwide GMP audit during production run.
• Participate in plantwide food safety culture audit.
• Follow all safety rules and practices to include the wearing of all essential personal protective equipment.
• Follow all personal hygiene and food safety practices.
• Report non-standard conditions to the Lead or QA Supervisor immediately.
• Act professionally toward co-workers, customers, vendors or other visitors to the plant.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance, consistent punctuality, and a positive attitude.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and large ERP applications.
• Ability to work successfully in a team-involvement environment is a must.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment such as: CEM Moisture machine.
• One (1) year experience in a food processing environment.
• High school graduate; post high school graduate preferred.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to meet flexible and changing priorities and the ability to work under pressure is a must.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, reach and move about a laboratory and production facilities in normal ambient temperatures.
• Some lifting of up to 30 lbs. may be required. 50% walking, climbing stairs and ladders in a plant environment; 50% normal office environment at a desk or working at a computer terminal.
• 30% Sampling fruit peels from trucks/lifting fruit bins of 30lbs into extractor.
• 5% Cleaning of the blender/extractor.
• 30% Routine Laboratory analysis.
• 20% Computer data entry.
• 15% Walking, auditing facility.