Quality Technician

Position Overview

The role is responsible for batching and testing soft drinks; ensuring full quality control compliance within specifications.

Position Detail

• LAB TECH:
  • Perform required tests in SPC data system at the standard frequency including CO2, brix, TA, air, codes, dew point, taste, odor, appearance, contents, sodium, etc.
  • Perform control drinks test as needed.
  • Perform can seam check at required frequency.
  • Perform weekly full round net content of filler.
  • Perform product changeovers at filler.
  • Valve troubleshooting and rebuilding.
  • Absorb and mentor other lab techs with operational problems such as syrup issues, lab testing, CIP, micros, filler changeovers to improve effectiveness.
  • Absorb as needed in production report filing, updating formulas, vendor information or any other lab related documents.
  • Verify and oversee water room testing and PM work as needed to insure compliance.
  • Verify that all production schedules are current and communicated to all depts.
  • Be SQF ready at all times by completing tours and following up on any issues.
  • Absorb as needed in QA Manager and or Supervisor as needed.
  • Maintain communication with production regarding schedules and changes, syrup batch issues, etc.
  • Correct batch as needed according to the control drink results.
  • Ensure syrup tanks and High Shear mixer are CIP and have been verified clean by performing Taste, Odor, and Appearance testing.
  • Ensure every tank has been 7-stepped CIP at least once per week and before batching sensitive products.
  • Maintain use of Chart Recorder.
  • Ensure that empty bags and containers are properly discarded of.
  • Follow all GMP guidelines at all times.
  • Keep work area clean and organized, keeping overhead door closed when not bringing in materials.
  • Ensure caps, gaskets, clamps, etc are kept clean and dry.
  • Ensure tanks are capped off and doors are closed after CIP.
• BATCHER TECHNICIAN:
  • Responsible for accurately following batch instruction sheets, dispensing and weighing dry ingredient weight and lot numbers.
  • Batch syrup using correct formulation and mixing instructions.
  • Physically lift ingredient bags up to 50 lbs and manually open 1 to 5 gallon pails and jugs.
  • Must have computer skills for requesting bulk ingredients through HMI (Human Machine Interface).
  • Operate cleaning in place (CIP) system and use transfer cleaning chemicals.
  • Review daily production schedules to coordinate what product to run.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the batching and sugar rooms.
  • Ensure all Safety Standard (Company or Regulatory) are met at all times.
  • Ensure all Company Good Manufacturing Standards are met at all times.

Working Conditions

• Regularly exposed to wet floors, humid conditions, cold conditions, and caustic chemicals.
• Noise level requires hearing protection.
• Will occasionally lift up to 75 pounds during shift.
• Will regularly be required to walk stand, use of hands and fingers, handle objects, tools, controls, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.
• Employee will occasionally be required to sit, climb and or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and smell, taste.

Position Requirements

• Soft drinks experience preferred.
• High school standard of education.
• BS/BA in a scientific field, preferably Microbiology, with at least 1 college level course in Microbiology.
• Understanding of GMP and Lab Safety, Standard Methods and processes.