Lab Technician - 3rd Shift - Food Manufacturing

About the role

Stratas Foods LLC is the leading supplier of fats and oils to the Foodservice, Food Ingredients and Retail Private Label markets in North America and is a producer of quality bulk and packaged dressings, mayonnaise and sauces. Stratas Foods was formed in October 2008 as a 50/50 joint venture between ACH Food Companies (ACH) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). Manufacturing facilities are located in Dallas and Houston, TX; Decatur and Quincy, IL; Englewood, NJ; Hillside, NJ; Fresno, CA; Nashville, TN; and Valdosta, GA. Corporate offices are located in Memphis, TN. The role involves analytical testing of various vegetable oils using Stratas SOPs, testing samples at various points in the process, production samples, inbound and outbound truck and railcar samples.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize and test samples as they arrive in laboratory
• Taste samples for product evaluation
• Line checks of packaging quality assurance
• Communicate to management when test results indicate that corrective action is necessary
• Complete analytical testing and paperwork in a timely manner
• Finished product and incoming material testing
• Perform cleaning and GMP inspections
• Learn new procedures as necessary
• Develop a thorough understanding of laboratory processes and procedures
• Attend all training and safety meetings as scheduled
• Storage of production retains
• Assist in other departments as needed and directed by management
• Collaborate closely with onsite teams and participate in onsite meetings to drive departmental objectives
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• H.S. diploma or bachelor’s degree
• Science related field preferred

Experience

• Three (3) years’ previous laboratory experience preferred

Equipment/Software Skills

• Basic data entry skills required

Competencies

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully
• Technical Skills – Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills, pursues training and development opportunities, shares expertise with others
• Initiative – Volunteers readily, seeks increased responsibilities, asks for and offers help when needed
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, looks for ways to improve and promote quality, applies feedback to improve performance

Requirements

Physical

• Sitting/Walking/Climbing as required in a manufacturing environment
• On your feet for most of the shift with occasional lifting, climbing stairs and ladders including rail cars and trucks
• Required to use hands, arms and fingers
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, climb stairs, lift, bend, kneel, stand for long periods of time, work in small spaces, and work with heights

Sensory

• Good listening skills; public speaking abilities to communicate with both hourly and salaried personnel
• Ability to determine the purpose of what you’re listening to and prioritize accordingly
• Ability to perform sensory testing on in-process and finished product samples, must be able to distinguish issues from taste, smell or sight of the product

Mental/Reasoning

• Organizational; decision making ability; multi-tasking
• Must have strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to accommodate a quick paced environment (a quick thinker)

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision