QA/QC Lab Technician | 2nd Shift | Wilmington, NC

FedUp Foods, one of the nation's early producers of kombucha through the Buchi brand, and one of the largest functional beverage manufacturers in America, offers a diverse portfolio of organic private label functional beverages for top global retailers.

Our Culture

FedUp Foods fuels the growth and success of open-minded, collaborative, and passionate individuals who thrive on teamwork, creativity, and continuous learning. As a proud benefit corporation, we have chosen to make People one of our benefit pillars. We strive to ensure every employee feels welcomed, valued, and empowered by fostering a collaborative and adaptable community, providing growth opportunities, and creating a supportive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

Our Values

• Agility
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Lifelong Learning
• Community
• Gratitude

About the Role

This role is responsible for ensuring that our products meet a set of predetermined FSQA (Food Safety and Quality Assurance) standards. Routine tasks include safety and quality checks, daily sampling, preparation of samples, executing a range of analytical testing, recording results, and reporting data to pertinent parties.

Responsibilities

• Is aware of relevant aspects of our Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certification, including but not limited to the following programs:
  • Management Commitment
  • Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
  • Food Defense
  • Allergen Management
  • Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
  • Product Trace
  • Product Hold and Release
  • Recall Program
  • Crisis Management
  • Document Control and Records
• Follow good laboratory, documentation, manufacturing, and safety practices.
• Maintain and operate standard laboratory equipment by following Work Instructions (WIs).
• Use and maintain materials and laboratory equipment including but not limited to:
  • pH Meter and supplies (calibration buffers, cleaning and storage solutions)
  • qPCR, thermocyclers
  • Density Meter // Alcolyzer
  • Centrifuges
  • Pipettors
  • Microscope
  • PFD/CarboQC
  • Refractometer
  • Titratable Acidity
  • Scales // Electronic Balances
  • Thermometers and cleaning and sanitizing agents
  • Other hazardous laboratory chemicals
• Perform lab instrument checks and calibrations as needed to ensure accurate results.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Maintain glassware in handling, cleaning, and sanitizing.
• Set up and participate in a daily tasting panel.
• Observe and monitor production operations and equipment to ensure conformance to specifications and make or order necessary process adjustments.
• Inspect, test, and sample materials or products for hazards, defects, and deviations from specifications.
• Discuss inspection results with those responsible for products and recommend necessary corrective actions.
• Accurately analyze work-in-progress and finished product samples and report any findings that are out of specification.
• Obtain and prepare samples from various points of the production process according to the testing schedule.
• Perform shelf-life and brite tank testing analysis on finished products.
• Crash work-in-progress tanks when needed and notify relevant parties.
• Assist in maintaining lab sample and shelf-life inventory and disposition of samples.
• Use Google Docs and Drive to record and interpret data and conduct trending analyses.
• Attend and participate in department and interdepartmental meetings.
• Willingness to support other departments during downtime.

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities

• Follow GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) policy when in the production facility and encourage your team to do the same.
• Understand our SQF policies relating to pest control, visitors, allergen management, and cleaning and sanitation.
• Demonstrate awareness of Management's Commitment to SQF and work towards Food Safety and Quality, helping the company meet this commitment.
• If there is a problem involving food quality and safety, report to the Quality Assurance Manager so that the CAPA (Corrective Action, Preventative Action) log may be filled out, the situation investigated, and resolved with the goal of continuous improvement of food quality and safety.

Requirements

• Strict attention to detail, quality, cleanliness, time management, and organization.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Ability to prioritize with minimal direction.
• Independent decision-making.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Heightened awareness of safety precautions and hazards for self and others.
• Positive and team-oriented attitude.
• Flexibility in work hours to meet operational demands; extended shifts, overtime, and weekends may be needed based on business needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in microbiology, chemistry, food science, or related field preferred.
• 2 years of experience in a laboratory is preferred.
• 2 years of experience in food or beverage production preferred.

Benefits

For full-time roles:

• Health Insurance (company pays 80-90% of individual premium)
• Group Term Life Insurance (100% of premium paid by company)
• Vision and Dental Coverage (paid by the employee)
• Voluntary Group Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability (100% of premium paid by company)
• Long Term Disability (50% of premium paid by company)
• Voluntary Accident Insurance
• Retirement: 401k with Employer Match
• 9 Paid Holidays
• PTO and Sick Time

Schedule

• 2nd Shift: Mon - Fri, 2:30 PM - 11:00 PM; Sun, 3-hour shift (times flexible).
• Onboarding: 3 to 6 weeks during 1st shift hours (Mon - Fri, 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM).
• Flexibility: Must be available to temporarily work approximately 3 hours of overtime per week.

Pay

2nd shift team members receive an additional $1/hour shift differential.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• 30-minute unpaid lunch break; two 15-minute paid breaks.
• Work safely with chemicals with reasonable safety accommodations.
• Ability to bend, squat, crawl, kneel, push, pull, and walk on uneven surfaces regularly.
• Able to stand, walk, climb, and lift up to 25 lbs on a regular basis.
• Ability to work in loud, warm environments for extended periods of time.