Quality Control Lab Tech

National Beverage Corp.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Shasta Beverages, Inc. is seeking a Quality Control Technician to oversee all facets of our quality programs, including HACCP, food safety records, plant audits, and mock recalls. The role tests ingredients, suppliers, and finished products to ensure consistent quality.

You will work with the R&D team on new product launches, maintain batch documentation in Excel, and help train plant staff on procedures. A strong attention to detail and solid communication are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• 2-3 years hands-on work experience in the beverage quality control industry preferred.
• Experience in quality control testing procedures and sanitation of beverage equipment.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Exceptional interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work a flexible Full Time schedule including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Maintain HACCP and food safety records, plant audits, mock recalls, and training.
• Test microbiological quality of ingredients, suppliers, and packaging.
• Provide test data to ensure high quality products across processes.
• Test concentrate ingredients and beverages in development and finished products.
• Collaborate with R&D on new product launches.
• Document batch reports and analyze data variations.
• Troubleshoot and correct quality issues on the line and in batches.
• Assist supervisors in resolving quality issues and improving production efficiency.

Skills

Cleaning agents knowledge

Microsoft Excel

Data analysis

Quality control testing

Verbal communication

OSHA training

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Quality Control Technician will be responsible for all aspects of the quality programs and functions. These include maintaining all HACCP, food safety records, plant audits, mock recall programs and training the plant on these issues and procedures. Performs testing to validate the microbiological quality of current and new ingredients, suppliers, and packages. Provides test data to assure the production of high quality products. Tests current and new concentrate ingredients in process and finished concentrates, and beverages products in development and finished products. The QC Technician will also work with the R&D Team on new product launches.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Knowledge of all cleaning agents and applications, external, internal, cleaners, and sanitizers.
• Properly document and follow all procedures set forth in the frequency guide and standards.
• Ability to properly fill out batch reports, calculate variations in batch sizes, proper attributes, standards, and other data required on batch report documented per formula.
• Ability to properly measure and follow proper mixing procedures.
• Ability to evaluate and troubleshoot batch and make corrections.
• Ability to perform all testing, evaluations, and documentation of results while following procedures.
• Ability to troubleshoot and take corrective action on the line.
• Ability to properly prepare batch tanks for batching, tank rinsing, tank sanitation, odor, and tasting.
• Full knowledge and capabilities to perform internal pest control program, location of stations, checking and cleaning of stations, and proper documentation on hand of pest control program.
• Assist supervisors in resolving Quality Control issues, tracking quality trends, recommending and implementing plans to improve quality and production efficiency.
• Responsible for compliance with Federal and State legislation by establishing and enforcing quality standards; testing materials and product.
• Ability to collect, analyze and summarize process quality information and trends.
• Computer literacy required with proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Excel and Word.
• Typically faces situations that have a variety of interpretations and require careful evaluation.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common information, reports and other documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or company representatives. Ability to effectively present information to management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand for long periods of time, sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands and fingers, to handle, or feel, sit for long periods of time, stand frequently, bend, squat, reach and turn to access files and office equipment. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Field positions will be exposed to various unfamiliar conditions where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn and which may include, but are not limited to manufacturing and warehouse plants, and other locations as directed by supervisor. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but increases significantly in warehouse and manufacturing plants.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED preferred or equivalent experience.
• 2-3 years hands-on work experience in the carbonated soft drink industry preferred.
• Experience in quality control testing procedures and internal and external sanitation of beverage equipment with a clear understanding of all aspects of blending, product attributes recordkeeping, yields, etc.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft business applications and various reporting software.
• Exceptional interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Understands and can follow all OSHA required training.
• Must be 18 years or older
• Favorable background and drug exam.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible Full Time schedule that may include weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to provide own transportation to various locations in organizational service areas, as required by duties.

Shasta Beverages, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender, genetics, gender identity, disabled veterans or sexual orientation.