Lab Tech

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Carry out testing to identify contamination in finished products affecting quality, shelf life, flavor, and color.
• Conduct testing to assess the quality of raw milk and ingredients used in formulated products.
• Perform testing according to standard methods for examining milk products, focusing on butterfat, total solids, and other attributes.
• Execute weight checks on incoming samples and volumetric determinations of container fills.
• Monitor chemical concentrations in the central sanitizer system, foot spray systems, and CIP cleaners and sanitizers as necessary.
• Carry out environmental testing in production areas using ATP swabs.
• Assess organoleptic properties of finished products and measure viscosities of ice cream mixes, buttermilk, and chocolate milk before packaging, and on packaged products using Zahn cups.
• Validate test results using controls and standards to ensure accurate operation of laboratory equipment.
• Become certified and maintain certification for antibiotic testing through biennial on-site evaluations by the state LEO and annual split sampling programs.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Restock disposable items and make supplies as needed without prompting from others.

Basic Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• An associate degree or a bachelor's degree in Food or Biological Sciences, or at least two years' experience in a QA/QC position in a food, chemical, or agricultural manufacturing facility, is preferred.

Competencies

• Effective communication through various channels, including oral, written, visual, and non-verbal.
• Accountability for actions and proactive problem-solving.
• Customer-focused approach, prioritizing both internal and external customer needs.
• Initiative in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.
• Skill in problem-solving and practical solution-finding.
• Collaboration and support of team members towards shared goals.

Physical Demands

• The employee is regularly required to sit, use hands for fine motor skills, reach, bend, extend, and lift up to 60 pounds.
• The work environment includes exposure to varying temperatures, noise levels of 90 decibels, and wet/slippery conditions.

Work Environment

• The work environment may involve exposure to cooler rooms with varying temperatures and contact with dairy liquids.