Laboratory Technician

Buffalo Rock Company; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo Rock Company, a long-standing beverage bottler in Birmingham, seeks a Quality Control Lab Technician to support the QC team in testing ingredients and finished products according to company standards.

The role requires hands-on testing, data documentation, sensory evaluation, and adherence to GMP, with a focus on water treatment processes and packaging quality. Strong communication with production is essential to maintain product quality across shifts.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (or GED); required.
• Food processing laboratory experience; required.
• Blending experience; preferred.
• Forklift certified through Buffalo Rock; required.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality tests on samples and document results.
• Test samples hourly and report defects to supervisor.
• Communicate quality issues to production operators.
• Perform sensory testing at startup, during production, and shutdown.
• Follow GMP and maintain cleanliness.

Skills

Product testing

Sensory analysis

Documentation

GMP knowledge

Line testing

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Science background college education

Tools

Infinity system

Microsoft Office

Job description

Quality Control Lab Technician

Organization Name: Buffalo Rock Company

Website: https://www.buffalorock.com/careers/

Job Department: COR Quality Control

Reports to: Quality Supervisor

Work Schedule: 12-hour shift

Job Type: Regular

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Amount of Travel Required: N/A

Summary/objective

Job Description

Buffalo Rock is an award-winning Pepsi and Keurig Dr Pepper bottler founded in Birmingham, AL more than 123 years ago. Buffalo Rock manages the best beverage portfolio in the country, which includes several beloved global and regional brands. The Quality Control Lab Technician position is a key member of the Quality Control team responsible for performing many general functions to support the Quality Control team. This position contributes to the success of the Buffalo Rock Company by ensuring the overall quality of ingredients and finished products in accordance with Company Standards to uphold trademark integrity. The QC Lab Technician is responsible for testing of product and documentation of processes based on specific product requirements. Managing his/her time effectively is a must. Knowledgeable of technical and process knowledge for water treatment/waste water, product batching, product testing, package testing and sensory. Maintains Good Manufacturing Practices with regards to micro/sanitation and general housekeeping, and chemicals. Demonstrates a working knowledge of production equipment (processing and packaging equipment) and its' related impact on overall quality Maintains up-to-date knowledge of process improvements and technical developments. Understands product characteristics, attributes and Quality Control testing procedures. Responds to and proactively reduces consumer complaints.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Regular and timely attendance is an essential function of this position. Position is required to work all hours necessary to ensure operations function is fulfilled, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Required to walk to assigned line, obtain product and bring to testing area.
• Required to complete quality tests on obtained samples as instructed to complete testing.
• Must document results in Infinity system. If a defect is found, supervisor must be notified. Technician will then inform filler operators which product must be removed for further testing.
• Technician required to obtain and test samples every 1 hour +/- 20 minutes after line begins running.
• Must be able to read and interpret gauges and tables as instructed by supervisor.
• Requires long periods of standing/walking.
• Check at startup of line on product for proper code, raw materials, and responsible to ensure all quality specifications are met before allowing lines to produce.
• Technician must perform sensory testing at start up and shut down as well as every hour +/- 20 minutes throughout the production run. Compare to standard if questionable results are found.
• Technician must be able to communicate with production operators and supervisors of any quality issues and participate in line start ups to ensure the microblends are running product to required specifications.
• Food Safety: Required to follow the Good Manufacturing Program (GMP) as listed in Code of Federal Regulations CFE 21 section 110. Requires participation in various Food Safety related training that Buffalo Rock utilizes. Required to report potential issues related to Food Safety.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Exhibit a high level of ethical and moral conduct while at work or in attendance at any off-site function while representing the Buffalo Rock Company.
• Responsible for continuous self-improvement through the knowledge and use of all Buffalo Rock provided training. Successfully complete assigned training curriculum, including but not limited to online and/or facilitated training.
• Ensure that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the Company from possible damage, theft, or other liabilities.
• Ensure that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the safety of employee-partners, self, customers, Buffalo Rock property, and customer property.
• Honor and follow through on all business commitments.
• Embody Buffalo Rock’s Purpose of “Building brands through legendary service and remarkable people.”
• Live Buffalo Rock’s Core Values:
• Committed to serving our communities.
• Customer success drives our success.
• Integrity matters.
• Obsessed with continuous improvement.
• We care for each other.
• Win the day.

Competencies

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Safety Awareness - Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Self Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one’s ability using his or her own drive or initiative.
• Training - Ability to develop a particular skill in others to bring them up to a predetermined standard of work performance.

Supervisory Responsibilities

NA

Work environment

Temperatures can be hot, cold or normal temperatures. Mostly indoor work.

Physical demands

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.

O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33%-66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Physical Demands

Lift/Carry

Stand

F

Walk

C

Sit

N

Manually Manipulate

C

Grasp

F

Reach Outward

F

Reach Above Shoulder

F

Speak

F

Climb

O

Crawl

O

Squat or Kneel

O

Bend

O

10 lbs. or less

C

11-20 lbs.

C

21-50 lbs.

F

51-100 lbs.

N

Over 100 lbs.

N

Push/Pull

12 lbs. or less

C

13-25 lbs.

C

26-40 lbs.

N

41-100 lbs.

N

Required Education And Experience

• Education:
  • High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate); Required.
  • College education in science background; Preferred.
• Experience:
  • Blending experience; Preferred.
  • Food processing laboratory experience; Required.
• Computer Skills:
  • Advanced experience in/ application of Microsoft Office products is required (intermediate is preferred) including, but not limited to: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Access, etc.
• Certifications and Licenses:
  • Must be able to be Forklift Certified through Buffalo Rock.
• Other Requirements:
  • Knowledge of a wide range of computer software programs with a broad ability and willingness to acquire new skills.

Tools and Technology

Computer, printer, scanner, fax machine, copier, calculator/adding machine, labeler

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, genetic makeup, status as a protected veteran, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

Other Duties

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

I have reviewed this job description, and I can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Applicant/Employee-Partner______________________________ Date__________________

Interviewer/Supervisor___________________________________ Date__________________