The Lab Technician is a position that works in a high performance, customer focused Team environment and is responsible for conducting the daily tasks associated with the Quality Assurance laboratory to maintain the high quality of products produced.

The Lab Technician will be responsible for the inspection of raw materials, ingredients and products manufactured to ensure compliance with all internal and customer required specifications through the excellent performance of assigned duties. These actions are to be performed while keeping safety as a primary objective and following all established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), Regulatory, and Company policies and procedures.

As an integral member of the Quality Control Team, the Lab Technician plays a pivotal role in ensuring that a high level of collaboration and flexibility occurs between the QC Team and all other support and production departments to not only meet but exceed the operational and production goals set for the facility while making sure that the Quality of our products and the safety of ourselves and others remain a top priority.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Approving incoming components by confirming all materials meet required specifications; this is done through conducting both visual and measurement tests; responsible for rejecting and returning all unacceptable materials.
2. Confirms all in-process production meets required specifications and approves products when visual and measurement tests have proven product meets designated stipulations; must effectively communicate any and all required adjustments to the Production Supervisor.
3. Approves finished products by confirming specifications are met and conducting visual and measurement tests; prepares certificates of analysis and any certificates of compliance as needed.
4. Documents inspection results by fastidiously completing reports and logs accurately and with timeliness.
5. Excellent data entry skills required for inputting accurate and detailed data into the quality database
6. The ideal candidate will be proactive in discovering deviations from company and customer standards and providing immediate notification to operators and supervisors
7. Responsible for monitoring and inspecting process control points, critical control points, and essential quality attributes, an employee in this role must be familiar with all the essential quality attributes of AAK Foodservice products.
8. Keeps measurement equipment operating by following operating instructions; calibrating equipment and assist with submissions of work orders when needed.
9. Collects and submits samples to outside laboratories as needed.
10. Maintains safe and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures, complying with legal regulations.
11. Accomplishes quality and organization mission by completing related results as needed.
12. Verifies cleanliness of equipment while working in conjunction with sanitation personnel.
13. Necessary training will be provided to ensure proper onboarding.

  Qualifications:

• High school diploma, GED required
• AAS or BS degree in a laboratory science (e.g. in microbiology, biochemistry, biology, food technology), or Experience as a QA Technician in a food or like manufacturing (consumer products) environment or equivalent experience in an industrial lab required, minimum of 2 years.
• Auditing experience preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in Quality Processes and systems including but not limited to:  SPC, HACCP, Operating procedures, and Manufacturing practices.
• 2-3 years of experience in a similar industry

Desired Skills: 

• Ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to make objective and independent decisions
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend written instructions, product specification sheets, work instructions, technical documents and manuals.
• Bi-lingual English / Spanish preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to introduce information to a group or in a group meeting, perform training to new employees, and assist in preparing new procedures, work instructions, etc.  
• Demonstrated ability to perform with consistent accuracy with detail-oriented work.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and organize work efficiently.
• Fundamental computer skills (data entry, MS Office including Excel) Proficient with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system experience will be helpful.

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  

 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 accommodation 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 stand; walk; use hands to fingers; reach; stretch; bend; kneel; crouch; climb; balance; etc.  
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision and peripheral vision.  

 Working Conditions:

Plant operations, environment and hours.  Able to manage through urgent situations. The job is performed in a manufacturing plant environment.  Exposure to loud noises, dust, dirt, heat, sparks, oil, and smoke may occur—earplugs / ear protection required in this area.  Personal protective equipment (safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, appropriate clothing) is required in manufacturing plants.