Lab Tech - Flex

About the role

Applies principles of microbiology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and economics to monitor methods of production, preservation, and utilization of milk and other dairy products. Perform standardized tests to determine quantity or quality of branded products to ensure compliance with company or government quality standards. Maola Local Dairies® is a farmer-owned cooperative committed to its local farm families and to producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products. Founded in 1920, Maola processes and delivers your favorite milk, cream, and dairy products to families, schools, and communities while investing in quality, innovation, and sustainability across its farms and supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Conduct testing to determine causes for contamination in finished product that directly affect quality, shelf life, flavor and color.
• Conduct testing to determine the quality of incoming ingredients, including raw milk and ingredients for formulated products.
• Conduct testing as outlined in Standard Methods for the Examination of Milk Products for: butterfat (using Babcock method and FOSS FT-120), total solids (using CEM solids tester and FOSS FT-120), direct microscopic counts, antibiotic content (using Charm ROSA method), sediment testing, standard plate counts (using 3-M Petrifilm and Easy Gel Plates), total coliform counts (using 3-M Petrifilm), yeast and mold counts (using 3-M Petrifilm and Easy Gel Plates), homogenization efficiency (using Gaulin EQA analyzer), pasteurization efficiency (using Charm LumT), titratable acidity on raw milk, cream, recycle milk products.
• Perform weight checks on product by checking weighing all incoming samples.
• Perform volumetric determination of container fills.
• Perform chemical concentration checks on central sanitizer system, on foot spray systems, on CIP cleaners and sanitizers as needed.
• Conduct water quality testing of chilled water systems through the use of p