Gifford’s Dairy, Inc – Quality Assurance Lab Technician (Food Manufacturing)

Quality Assurance Lab Technician (Food Manufacturing)

If you enjoy ice cream and collaborating with others, Gifford’s is the place for you! We provide a rewarding supportive environment, and are looking for enthusiastic, talented individuals to join our growing team! Plus, you get to be around ice cream. Who could ask for anything more?

The QA Lab Tech will be responsible for assisting the QA department by helping to keep the Gifford’s product at a high standard of quality every day while also complying and staying up to date with any company, industry, and governmental regulations, as well as assisting in the growth and development of the R&D department. The QA Lab Tech will be able to think creatively to interpret information and develop strategies for the QA department while establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with supervisors, peers, customers, and vendors.

Responsibilities:

• Collect and analyze production samples to evaluate quality while monitoring the performance of quality control systems and communicate quality control information to all relevant organizational departments, outside vendors, or contractors.
• Perform daily quality sampling, testing, and calibration activities
• Produce reports regarding nonconformance of products or processes, daily production quality, root cause analyses, or quality trends. Stop production if serious product defects are present.
• Review statistical studies, technological advances, or regulatory standards and trends to stay abreast of issues in the field of quality control.
• Identify critical points in the manufacturing process and specify sampling procedures to be used at these points.
• Review and update standard operating procedures or quality assurance manuals. As well as review new procedures to gauge usefulness.
• Verify that raw materials, purchased parts or components, in-process samples, and finished products meet established testing and inspection standards.
• Instruct vendors or contractors on quality guidelines, testing procedures, or ways to eliminate deficiencies.
• Coordinate the selection and implementation of quality control equipment such as inspection gauges.
• Monitor development of new products to help identify possible problems for mass production
• Responsible for monitoring records and Release services, and will work with regulatory agencies and third party consultants and Auditors, and responsible for regulatory compliance

The ideal candidate will:

• Minimum high school education, associates degree preferred
• Experience in laboratory procedures preferred
• Experience in Dairy preferred
• Excel proficiency preferred
• Up to date knowledge of government and industry standards including SQF and/or willingness to learn
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Effective written and oral communication and basic math skills
• Able to accurately differentiate between colors and see details at a close range
• Able to multi-task

Benefit Highlights:

• Competitive Benefit package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Short-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off program
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous employee discount