QA Lab Technician

Shamrock Foods; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to ensure the safety and quality of dairy and non-dairy products. This role involves using laboratory equipment to conduct tests, interpret results, and maintain compliance with safety regulations. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess a strong educational background in relevant sciences, and have the ability to communicate effectively with various teams. Join a company that values its associates and offers substantial benefits, including health insurance and growth opportunities, all while making a significant impact on food safety and quality standards.

Benefits

Health Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Profit Sharing

Paid Time Off

Growth Opportunities

Wellness Programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred with 2+ years of experience.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with food allergens.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory tests to ensure product quality and safety.
• Communicate effectively with team members to resolve issues quickly.

Skills

Quality Assurance

Laboratory Testing

Communication Skills

Problem-solving

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science

Tools

Laboratory Equipment

Petrifilm Plates

Job description

Join our team with a rotating 2-2-3 schedule!

Work 12-hour shifts with a balanced mix of workdays and days off.

Day Shift: 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM Night Shift: 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM

Job Summary: Use laboratory and standardized testing procedures to ensure quality and food safety attributes of fluid dairy, non-dairy beverages, sour cream, cottage cheese, and other products meet regulatory and internal specifications to maintain the integrity of Shamrock and our customers’ brands. Follow all required work safe practices. This would include compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices, wearing of all required PPE in designated areas, confined space safety, safe chemical handling, fall restraints, etc.

Essential Duties:

• Use laboratory equipment and standardized testing procedures to accurately measure and report quality standards of products produced at required frequency.
• Interpret results from laboratory testing to ensure any issues are identified as quickly as possible and resolved.
• Communicate with lab supervisor, production personnel, and warehouse associates to ensure issues are corrected in a timely manner.
• Interpret and submit samples and required documentation for co-pack vendors.
• Evaluate raw ingredients and packaging for quality to ensure no sub-standard raw materials are used in production.
• Deliver supplies and laboratory specimens to designated work areas.
• Clean and sterilize lab area, equipment, and instruments regularly to avoid contamination of samples.
• Conduct equipment swab tests to confirm cleanliness of equipment.
• Conduct calibration of lab and production equipment at appropriate frequency.
• Maintain finished product reports based on laboratory analysis.
• Coach production associates in assigned area on GMPs, Sanitation, and Quality checks to identify risks factors that could lead to non-conforming product.
• Audit batching, processing, and filler paperwork and escalate issues when non-conformances are found.
• Coordinate communication between manufacturing associates and QA personnel.
• Use petrifilm plates to test water, air, ingredient, and product samples for microbial activity.
• Conduct environmental testing for pathogens.
• Interpret and submit petrifilm results used to approve product.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Dairy Science, Food Science, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years related experience.
• A combination of relevant work experience and education.
• Must be available to work with the demands of the department which are subject to overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to multi-task in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Able to work with reasonable accommodations in an environment containing major food allergens.
• Able to regularly climb stairs and occasionally climb ladders.
• Capable of occasionally lifting 50 pounds unassisted.
• Able to work on foot for extended periods of time.
• Minimum skill rating of Quality Assurance Technician II (Floor/Micro).
• Must be able to frequently reach up to 52 inches.

Corporate Summary:

At Shamrock Foods Company, people come first – our associates, our customers, and the families we serve across the nation. A privately-held, family-owned and -operated Forbes 500 company, Shamrock is an innovator in the food industry and has been since being founded in Arizona in 1922.

Our Mission: At Shamrock Foods Company, we live by our founding family’s motto to “treat associates like family and customers like friends.”

Why work for us?

Benefits are a major part of your overall compensation, and we believe offering them at an affordable cost is not only the right thing to do, but it helps keep you and your family healthy. That’s why Shamrock Foods pays for the majority of your health insurance, allowing you to take home more of your paycheck. And it doesn’t stop there - our associates also enjoy additional benefits such as 401(k) Savings Plan, Profit Sharing, Paid Time Off, as well as our incredible growth opportunities, continued education and wellness programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Shamrock Foods Co all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)