Job Description

Food Safety and Quality/Microbiology Lab Technician

** Open to recent food science graduates! **

Job Description

A key player in monitoring, supporting, and ensuring the compliance of food safety and quality requirements daily. Lead by example in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for others, work cohesively as a team to drive the improvement of food safety and quality, and demonstrate a willingness to step out of the comfort zone to take on new challenges and learn new things.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Ensure both food safety and quality of the products and processes on a regular basis.

- Perform physical inspection and analytical testing for food safety and food quality of the products and processes to meet set standards. Inspections and tests include, but are not limited to, color, pH, seal integrity, temperature, date code, X-ray monitoring, weight checks, accuracy of labels, allergen, cleanliness, etc.

- Document all food safety and quality checks as required.

- Ensure all stakeholders follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), good housekeeping, and company policies and procedures.

- Perform hold and release of the products after thorough review and assessment for food safety and quality. Follow hold and release procedures. Provide feedback and guidance for corrective actions when non-conformance issues are found.

- Perform pre-operation inspection of the line equipment and processing environment at the start of shift or during line changeover. Conduct environmental testing, such as ATP and allergen tests.

- Collect retain samples from the production line and perform product evaluation at the end of product shelf life.

- Perform proper calibration of laboratory equipment by set frequency and recordkeeping.

- Take appropriate actions to correct deviations or notify FSQ manager.

2. Act as key monitor for reinforcing GMPs throughout plant and warehouse facilities.

- Perform direct GMP observations of the facility and processing conditions throughout the productions, address any discrepancies with the appropriate department, and follow up for corrective actions.

- Reinforce GMPs during the operation hours.

- Lead GMP by example.

- Perform GMP inspections of areas within the facility as assigned and communicate the findings and actions taken to address the GMP findings.

3. Reinforce policies, procedures, and controls to ensure meeting FDA, USDA, third-party audit requirements, and internal standards.

- Actively support in the preparation of all 3rd party audits such as FDA, USDA, Organic, SQF, or other schemes as well as customers audits.

- Follow the documented protocols.

- Audit the food safety and quality records documented by operators.

4. Seek ways to make improvements to internal processes, documentation, and knowledge transfer.

- Maintain laboratory and work areas organized.

- Identify opportunities to improve current methods and processes and make recommendations to FSQ Manager.

- Demonstrate adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations.

- Seek to develop technical knowledge through learning from peers and consistently look for ways to improve oneself through growth and development opportunities.

5. Perform other duties as assigned.

- Act as backup for FSQ lead and any other FSQ team members in their absence.

- Assist in new hire and refresher trainings for food safety- and quality-related topics.

- Assist in mock-recalls and mock-product withdrawal sessions.

- Assist the FSQ Department in continuous improvement efforts and follow up on corrective action implementation.

- Keep FSQ Manager informed about problems and opportunities for improvement.

- Assist with special in-plant or lab projects as directed.

Skills

+ Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Biology or Microbiology preferred

+ Physical inspection and analytical testing experience

+ Documentation of food safety and quality checks

+ Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

+ Calibration of laboratory equipment

+ Environmental testing (ATP and allergen tests)

+ Teamwork

+ Adaptability

+ Attention to detail

+ Problem-solving

+ Communication

Work Environment

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN OVERNIGHT SHIFT AND ONLY APPLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO WORK OVERNIGHT

Shift: 8pm start time but needs to be flexible. Might be asked to cover weekend shifts as needed. Scheduled days: Monday Friday (Saturdays dependent on Production as needed).

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

+ Hiring diverse talent

+ Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection

+ Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes

+ Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.

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