Lab Technician

Support Cass City's quality program activities perform laboratory analyses with documentation and manage laboratory areas and equipment.

• Maintain laboratory and associated areas in an orderly and clean manner in accordance to 5S methodology, which is to create a clean orderly environment where there is a place for everything and everything is in its place
• Perform sampling of raw milk, in-process, or finished products for analyses
• Perform chemical, physical, and microbiological testing of in-process and finished products
• Complete lab analytical testing records and monitor records for compliance / trending
• Report non-compliant laboratory analytical testing results to the QA Manager (Plant Manager)
• Maintain laboratory records in a timely, accurate, and legible manner following laboratory best practices
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory instrumentation per vendor recommendations and/or laboratory best practices
• Perform preventive maintenance, function verification, and quality control tasks
• Wash lab utensils and glassware
• Receive, stock, and inventory lab supplies and reagents
• Prepare and stock reagents and media
• Prepare labeling of testing analysis samples to testing laboratories
• Perform inventory control management
• Maintain and verify accuracy of documents
• Maintain safe working conditions for employees and compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues
• Dedicate effort to safety as we expect every employee to leave work in the same condition as they arrived
• Participate in weekly safety observation program
• Participate in monthly GMP inspection program
• Exhibit the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America through honesty, discretion, and sound judgement
• Follow all Dairy Farmers of America GMP's and work in a manner consistent with all corporate and regulatory quality and sanitation requirements
• Adhere to all DFA Quality, Safety, and GMP policies and procedures and report any nonconformity
• Attend required training, including but not limited to, Safety, GMP, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Safe Quality Foods (SQF)
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required.
• Other duties may be assigned as required.
• Become familiar with the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices and Pasteurized Milk Ordinance requirements for plant and laboratory operation
• Follow all DFA GMP's in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality and sanitation requirements
• Aseptically complete weekly environmental surveillance sampling for salmonella and listeria per Corporate QA & C program. Submit samples to Merieux Labs for analysis. Manage documentation for program. Communicate weekly with Quality Manager
• Complete weekly food contact sampling via quick-swabs and ATP. Communicate weekly with Quality Manager
• Complete monthly air monitoring sampling and manage documentation for program. Communicate monthly with Quality Manager
• Organize and perform data entry of PEM program COA's, Finished goods - powder results of COA's micro results and other records as requested on SAP system
• Support Quality Plan Requirements and HACCP Program; assist in the monitoring of CQP's in facility. Report to QA Manager
• Demonstrate sound judgment in safeguarding customer, company, and vendor and employee information
• Be responsible for the attainment of plant goals and objectives
• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with customers, vendors, employees and peers

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Previous quality assurance or laboratory experience preferred; including food, medical or pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Able to learn and apply Good Manufacturing Practices, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance program, and Laboratory Best Practices to daily job performance
• Ability to complete the required training assigned
• Working knowledge of personal computer and Microsoft Office software
• Good record keeping skills manage task completion to a defined timeline; demonstrate ability to complete analyses and documentation with accuracy
• Must be able to use plant equipment, laboratory apparatus, and office automation equipment
• Must be able to firmly adhere to the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America

An Equal Opportunity Employer