QA Technician III - Microbiologist

McCormick & Company; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The French's Food Company, a subsidiary of McCormick & Company, located in Springfield, MO, is seeking a QA Technician III – Microbiologist to join the Quality team. In this full-time role, you will conduct microbiological testing of finished products, environmental samples, and COA generation under the supervision of the QA Manager.

You will operate multiple lab instruments, record data in SAP and related systems, participate in proficiency testing, and help maintain GMP compliance.

Qualifications

• GMP and Good Laboratory Practices compliance.
• College coursework in chemistry, biology or microbiology, or 3 years of lab experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Color vision required to detect color differences in product.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological analysis of finished products per SAP plans.
• Test plant environmental and hygiene swabs per procedures.
• Use a variety of methods and instruments (APC, Y&M, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Coliform, etc.).
• Prepare media and test pH of media.
• Record results in SAP, SharePoint, Neogen Analytics.
• Generate COAs for industrial customers.
• Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot lab equipment.
• Back up as QA Analytical Technician for raw and finished products.
• Coordinate timely quarantine and issuing of Quality Notifications.

Skills

Good Laboratory Practices

Attention to detail

Color Vision

Written and verbal communication

Judgement based on analysis

Education

Chemistry/Biology/Microbiology coursework

Tools

SAP transactions

HPLC

pH meter

Moisture analyzer

Petrifilm plates

Job description

The French's Food Company, a subsidiary of McCormick & Company, Inc. and a global leader in flavor is seeking a full-time QA Technician III - Microbiologist for the plant located in Springfield, MO. This person will report to the QA Manager.

With more than $500 million in annual sales, our company has been crafting trusted foods using simple ingredients of the highest quality. From French's Classic Yellow Mustard, long America's top-selling mustard, to its most recent innovations, such as Franks Red Hot, the company has a history rich with delicious creations made from what today would be considered “clean, simple ingredients.” To learn more please visit us at www.frenchs.com.

Shift: Tuesday - Saturday 8AM-4:30PM

Position Overview

Under the general direction of the Quality Team Manager, the QA Lab Technician III – Microbiologist will work in a High-Performance Organization Operating Model environment performing QA microbiological functions. This includes, but is not limited to, finished good material testing, plant environmental and hygiene swab testing, COA generation, and any other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Performs microbiological analysis of finished products as required by SAP inspection plans.
• Perform testing on plant environmental (pathogen) and hygiene swab/sponge testing per established procedures.
• Use a variety of test methods, procedures, and instrumentation (i.e., agar plates & Petrifilm plates (APC, Y&M, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Coliform, EB, Incubators), VIDAS, Autoclaves, etc.).
• Prepare media (agars and broths) for microbiological testing, including testing pH of media.
• Examine & test samples and accurately record results on paper, logbooks, and computer entry (i.e., SAP, SharePoint, Neogen Analytics etc.).
• Generate Certificate of Analyses (COA’s) for industrial customer based on shipped requests from the French’s Logistics Center (LC).
• Interpreting data and aid in direction to the manufacturing group to ensure products meet established specifications.
• Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment.
• Participate in and achieve acceptable results in proficiency testing event(s).
• Perform Lab maintenance and general cleaning.
• Back up as QA Analytical Technician, performing analytical testing of raw and finished good products, as needed
  • Use a variety of test methods, procedures, and instrumentation (i.e., titrator, pH meter, scale, viscometer, HPLC, Moisture analyzer etc.).
• Coordinate timely quarantine and issuing of Quality Notification for finished goods and/or supplier issues.
• Communicate test results, discuss performance metrics as they relate to Quality, and work collaboratively with various levels of Operations to correct problems and improve process.
• Prepare and send out finished good product for additional pathogen testing to the 3rd party lab for analysis and reporting.
• Partnering with operations teams to prevent production stoppages.
• Aid in data review and trending of quality programs, as needed (i.e., Go For Quality).
• Partner with site Microbiologist to review and revise technical methods, as needed.
• Involvement in cross-functional Production/ Maintenance/ Materials Management team meeting, as needed.
• Participate in the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Audit team and complete assigned monthly audits on the plant floor/ production areas.
• Provide MAC (Manufacturing Analysis Costing) support as directed by Quality Team Manager/ QA Crew Lead/ Quality Engineer.
• Complete assigned shift, daily and weekly tasks, as assigned (i.e., testing of plant air environmental and product contact compressed air plates, potable water sampling/testing, chiller water testing, etc.).
• Any/all JTE Quality, Visual Factory, and other related items.
• Ability to work overtime on a short notice and required weekend work.
• Ability to be flexible with shift and workday assignments to support business need requirements.
• Actively promote safety and identify unsafe actions and conditions using a principle-based safety approach.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Uses judgement based on the analysis of information.
• Strong understanding and practice of Good Laboratory Practices.
• College coursework in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, etc. (or 3 years’ experience In a laboratory setting).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Color Vision (ability to detect color) required. This is due to the need to compare color differences in product daily.
• Requires attention to detail in making evaluative judgements based on the analysis of factual information.
• Expected to resolve problems by identifying and selecting solutions through the application of technical experience and review of precedents.
• Sound and comprehensive communication and diplomacy skills are required in order to exchange complicated information, including sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
• Demonstrate McCormick’s High Performance Organization Competencies: Values All People, Strategic Thinking, Influence, Personal & Team Leadership, Attracting & Developing Talent, Innovation & Business Savvy & Accumen.
• Acceptable Attendance Required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of previous Analytical Lab experience preferred.
• Academic laboratory work will be considered.
• Strong skills in written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of SAP transactions (Quality focused) and SAP results/data.

French's is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a general policy, French's does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.