Lab Technician

About the role

The duties and responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following:

Responsibilities

• Maintain the LCOP (Listeria Control Program) by performing weekly Listeria swabbing of areas that are selected for sampling
• Maintain the Pre-Operational environmental swabbing and testing program by performing weekly swabbing of the areas that are selected for sampling
• Maintain the environmental air monitoring program by performing weekly swabbing of areas that are selected for sampling.
• Implement Micro Corrective Action when results of LCOP, Pre-Operational, and operational environment swabbing have exceeded limits.
• Complete testing on all finished product that has been produced during scheduled operating hours.
• Maintain the QPT (Quarterly USDA Pathogen Testing Program) by sending out finished product samples to contract outside laboratory.
• Complete validation, calibration, temperature monitoring, and cleaning of all Micro Lab equipment.
• Perform required testing of materials/raw materials per established schedule or on an ad hoc basis.
• Read, record, and enter all chemistry results; inform management of any high results that are outside the acceptable spec range for chemistry, film, etc.
• Clean all lab equipment, and surfaces daily or as needed.
• Calibrate all lab equipment daily.
• Inform management of any results that are outside of specifications.
• Performs data entry to software tool as applicable and/or maintains relevant spreadsheets.
• Conducts Gold Standard chemistries.
• May be required to perform pre-op inspection.
• Monitor all the CCP’s (smokehouse cooking schedule) associated with the HACCP program to be able to advise management on any scientific validation issues.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training, along with company pre-requisite programs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOP’s).
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

Qualifications

• Required Education: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one plus years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required Experience: 6 months+ of relevant manufacturing experience.
• Prior knowledge of food processing equipment helpful.
• Knowledge of SAP preferred.
• Ability to calibrate delicate instruments and take accurate readings on fine gauges.
• Basic knowledge of supply chain, purchasing materials, and or manufacturing preferred.

Additional Information

• The starting rate for this role is $18.55 (Hourly). Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience.
• Base pay is just one component of Jack Link’s Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards.
• Jack Link’s provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment

• The work environment is a plant / office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Proven thorough understanding of one or two step instructions and deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and/or maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Basic verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and employees.