Lab Technician

Job Description

General Purpose:

Assist the Quality Manager to assure product quality by supporting the monitoring, observing, and testing process. Promote best practices and a discipline to standard work. Work closely and in partnership with quality and the production team to build one-team with one purpose.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follow all DFA Good manufacturing procedures (GMP’S) and work in a manner consistent with all the corporate and regulatory food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, local, state, and federal regulations

• Ensure all policies and procedures for the Safe Quality Food initiative, Organic food, FDA, USDA, KSA, and GMA SAFE are followed

• Maintain environmental swab sampling to ensure plant cleanliness

• Ensure all customer specific policies, procedures, and specifications are followed

• Properly test incoming and outgoing product for suitability and compliance with appropriate standards

• Notify plant supervision and management in any out of range value or variation from accepted norms in operation or product quality

• Maintain individual state and/or federal licenses

• Perform preventative maintenance, function verification, and quality control tasks

• Continuously look for continuous improvement and process improvement

• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area throughout the facility and laboratory

• Monitor laboratory operations, documenting and correcting discrepancies identified in technician performance

• Document laboratory values as required in plant records

• Manage sample retention and laboratory inventory levels

• Perform all other duties deemed appropriate, necessary, required, or directed by the Quality Assurance Manager and Plant Manager

• Safeguard and protect all company assets

• Make decisions in a timely manner

• Anticipate problems and implement solutions

• Demonstrate sound judgment in safeguarding customer, company, vendor, and employee information

• Use skills and talent to contribute to organizational success

• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with customers, vendors, employees, and peers

• Maintain a well-groomed, professional appearance appropriate for the position and situation

• 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.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required

• Two-year Applied Science Degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or Microbiology preferred

• 1 year of experience in a food laboratory preferred

• Certification and/or License –

• Kansas Department of Agriculture Sampler Certification

• Certified Industry Analyst certification for PMO Appendix-N testing of Drug Residue in Milk

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of and skill with company computer systems

• Must be able to use and understand calculations used for laboratory analysis

• Ability to demonstrate strong initiative and follow through on day-to-day responsibilities

• Able to work well with all types of people

• Able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality

• Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork

• Able to interact positively and work effectively with others (interpersonal skills)

• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing

• Able to promote a positive, creative, and professionally pleasant work environment

• Able and willing to engage in continuous improvement

• Able to adapt to changing situations and willing to perform all tasks when and where assigned

• Able and willing to perform tasks and duties without constant supervision

• Must be able to read, write and speak English

Reporting to this Position:

• None

Backup Support to Position(s):

• N/A

Travel:

(Click on the appropriate box)

☒No travel required

☐5%-15% (1-3 times per year)

☐15%-25% (1-2 times per quarter)

☐25%-50% (up to 1 week per month)

☐50%-75% (up to 2 weeks per month)

☐75%-100% (3+ weeks per month)

Scope:

• N/A

Job Description Completed By:

• Meshack Onderi, Quality Manager

• February 2017

Job Description Approved By:

• Ken Kaneversky, Plant Manager

• February 2017

Original :

Revised :

See last page for Physical Demands

DFA Physical Demands and Work Environment

Place an “X” in the appropriate response

Never

0% of shift

Occasional

1-33% of shift

Frequent

34-66% of shift

Constant

67-100% of shift

Physical Demands

Sit

X

Stand

X

Walk

X

Grasp, handle, twist or type

X

Reach (forward or overhead)

X

Climb (stairs or ladder)

X

Squatting, kneeling or bending

X

Push/pull

X

Crawling

X

Driving a vehicle

X

Lifting/Carrying

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 55 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

75-100 pounds

X

Work Environment

Use of chemicals

X

Outdoor weather conditions

X

Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)

X

Refrigerated temps (non-weather) < 40°

X

Elevated heat (non-weather) > 95°

X

Noise > 80 decibels

X

Dust

X

Fumes

X

Ability to work around dairy/food products

X

Work in tight or narrow spaces

X

Working in, around & over lines/obstacles

X

Ability to work with limited supervision

X

Typical office environment

X

Typical manufacturing environment

X

Typical farm/livestock environment

X

Typical lab environment

X

Sensory Demands

(Check all that apply)

☒ Verbal Communication ☒ Touch ☒ Smell

☒ Hear ☒ Reading

☒ Taste ☒ Writing

Vision

(Check all that apply)

☒ Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)

☒ Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)

☒ Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish color)

☒ Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes

are fixed on a given point)

☒ Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)

Requirements An Equal Opportunity Employer