QA Lab Technician

Dairy Farmers of America; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakhurst Dairy seeks a Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician to perform routine product analysis, including bacteriological, chemical, and physical testing of raw and finished goods. You will conduct microscopy on incoming milk, sample products, verify cleaning and sanitation, and ensure compliance with GMPs and internal quality standards across the facility.

The role requires hands-on experience with lab equipment, aseptic technique, and strong documentation.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of bacterial plating methods.
• Experience with compound light microscopy.
• Demonstration of aseptic laboratory techniques.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in individual and team environments.
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with GMPs and writing SOPs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Ensure all customer specific policies, procedures, and specifications are followed.
• Properly test incoming and outgoing product for suitability and compliance with appropriate standards.
• Perform bacteriological, chemical, and physical tests on raw and finished goods to meet quality compliance goals.
• Conduct product sampling at various points through the supply chain.
• Perform microscopy on incoming raw milk.
• Perform packaging evaluations to ensure conformity to standards.
• Inspect the plant periodically and regularly for compliance with Oakhurst Dairy and the US Public Health regulations.
• Evaluate product temperatures throughout the manufacturing process.
• Verify cleaning completeness through visual inspection and swabbing activities.
• Inspect cleaning equipment for functionality and proper operation.
• Perform post-cleaning allergen verification and validation.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections in coordination with Production personnel.
• Review documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain the Pathogen Environmental Monitoring program and participate in sampling activities.
• Troubleshoot quality issues with Production and Quality personnel.
• Recommend changes or improvements to the laboratory procedures, plant inspections, process control or cleaning and sanitizing programs.
• Enforce quality standards, GMPs and SOPs.
• Maintain and enforce the HACCP and SQF programs.
• Attend and participate in the quality meetings.
• Obtain IMS certification through the State Department of Agriculture.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized work area throughout the facility and laboratory.
• Keep the Quality Assurance Manager informed of all quality results and issues.
• Performing all other duties deemed appropriate, necessary, required, or directed by the Quality Assurance Manager.

Skills

Bacterial plating

Microscopy

Aseptic techniques

Microsoft Office

Project management

Organizational skills

Oral and written communication

SOPs/GMPs experience

Education

Associate degree in Dairy or Food Science

Bachelor's degree in Dairy or Food Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician position at Oakhurst Dairy provides an opportunity to contribute to the production of the highest quality dairy products in New England. A major aspect of this position will be to perform routine product analysis including bacteriological, chemical, and physical testing of raw and finished goods, microscopy on incoming raw milk, organoleptic analysis of finished products and operation of specialized lab equipment. This position will perform frequent audits of the manufacturing facility and will drive continuous improvement to meet internal quality standards. In addition, the Lab Technician is responsible for sanitation verification through visual inspection and swabbing activities, inspection of cleaning equipment for functionality and proper operation, post-cleaning allergen sampling and analysis and pre-operational inspections of food contact equipment. Collaboration with Production, Shipping and Maintenance staff will be integral.

Duties Include

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Ensure all customer specific policies, procedures, and specifications are followed.
• Properly test incoming and outgoing product for suitability and compliance with appropriate standards.
• Perform bacteriological, chemical, and physical tests on raw and finished goods to meet quality compliance goals.
• Conduct product sampling at various points through the supply chain.
• Perform microscopy on incoming raw milk.
• Perform packaging evaluations to ensure conformity to standards.
• Inspect the plant periodically and regularly for compliance with Oakhurst Dairy and the US Public Health regulations.
• Evaluate product temperatures throughout the manufacturing process.
• Verify cleaning completeness through visual inspection and swabbing activities.
• Inspect cleaning equipment for functionality and proper operation.
• Perform post-cleaning allergen verification and validation.
• Conduct pre-operational inspections in coordination with Production personnel.
• Review documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain the Pathogen Environmental Monitoring program and participate in sampling activities.
• Troubleshoot quality issues with Production and Quality personnel.
• Recommend changes or improvements to the laboratory procedures, plant inspections, process control or cleaning and sanitizing programs.
• Enforce quality standards, GMPs and SOPs.
• Maintain and enforce the HACCP and SQF programs.
• Attend and participate in the quality meetings.
• Obtain IMS certification through the State Department of Agriculture.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized work area throughout the facility and laboratory.
• Keep the Quality Assurance Manager informed of all quality results and issues.
• Performing all other duties deemed appropriate, necessary, required, or directed by the Quality Assurance Manager.

Job Requirements

• Knowledge of bacterial plating methods.
• Experience with compound light microscopy.
• Demonstration of aseptic laboratory techniques.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in individual and team environments.
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with GMPs and writing SOPs is a plus.

Education Requirements And Experience

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a 2-year degree in Dairy or Food Science, Biological Science or a related field. A 4-year degree or 3-5 years in a QA/QC environment is preferred but not required.

EEO/AA/Female/Minority/Disabled/Veteran

Starting at $26 / hour