Laboratory Technician 12 hr shifts rotating/flexible shifts - Eagle Foods, LLC

At Eagle Foods we are builders.  We are builders of brands, categories, and people.  Eagle Foods enjoys a rich heritage with brands that have proven category leadership for more than 150 years.  Eagle is a diversified food company producing and marketing sweetened condensed and evaporated milk, snacks and convenient meal solutions products.  As a company, Eagle Foods is passionate about fostering an entrepreneurial spirit that boldly builds better people and better brands while focusing on the positive impact our company, our products and our people have on the world.  Eagle Foods has a bold family of brands that consumers have come to rely on for decades, including Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk, Magnolia® Sweetened Condensed Milk, PET® Milk, Popcorn Indiana, Cretors Popcorn, Helper and Suddenly Salad.  Eagle Foods products are marketed and distributed across all U.S. retail channels, including grocery stores, club stores and mass-merchandisers, as well as foodservice and export, U.S. military, and private label business.

Key Responsibilities

· Level I technicians are responsible for completing all tasks outlined in the entry level position with expert proficiency and keen detail to the tasks. They are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the plant using both core/noncore skills along with common knowledge to trouble shoot and resolve issues that arise during production/facility in a safe manner.

· Safety: Level I technician performs all tasks in a manner which is safe. They are aware of the plants GMP and PPE policies and understand their importance in the plants production. They work closely with all departments to educate and enforce the policies and participate in the daily Behavior Observation Survey (BOS) discussions during transition meetings. They are knowledgeable of all the lab safety policies and able to locate and train others on safe practices necessary for lab and the chemicals used for daily testing.

· Core Skills: Level I technicians are proficient in the everyday testing associated with analytical aspect of lab as well as those tasks dedicated to the production floor. They are responsible for completing test associated with quality control points as well as critical control points defined in the HACCP & Quality Plan. Daily test completed by the technicians includes:  pH testing, total acidity, verification of lactose addition, and brix testing. Level I technicians must be able to aid process in verifying results if requested. They have also achieved Charm certification at the IA level and are able to test incoming milk for antibiotics. LIT are able to run samples from the silos as well as monthly samples shipped from MA and DQCI on the FT120. They are responsible for reporting results back to level II technicians and/or the QA lead. Level I techs are able to operate and understand the basic knowledge of lab equipment. They are responsible for completing oxygen head space test prior to start up by using the O2 head space analyzer. They are also responsible for water activity testing using the aW meter on all finished product samples 24 hours after packaging. LIT understand limits and the importance of each and report any out of spec results to QA leader. Technicians also take part in the plants sanitation program through inspecting packaging filler room and cryovac prior to start up and using the Novalum to verify proper CIP and sanitation of equipment, and release for use as appropriate. Technicians understand the requirements for packaging evaporated milk including completion and evaluation of pilot test, and evaluate the product post retort for critical factors such as temperature, appearance, pH, weight and vacuum. Hourly line inspection which evaluate packaged product for packaging, label, case and code quality. If ever product does not meet any specifications the product must be placed on hold. LIT will work with packaging and warehouse to ensure that the necessary product is accounted for, create hold place cards, see that the hold is completed accordingly in warehouse and in the hold data base.

· Non Core Skills: Level I technicians are familiar with the different products and the labels that are produced for our customers. They are able to accurately create certificates of analysis (COA) and prepare and evaluate pre-shipment samples. They understand the standard for the products and are able to identify any issues as well as trouble shoot possible explanations. They are able to present product cuttings and understand the significant of monitoring the product through shelf life, complete retain evaluation of the product, and understand and follow the product sampling procedures. Level I technicians are also responsible for participating in monthly critical and quarterly non critical glass and hard plastic inspections for their condition and creating work orders for any findings they may have during the inspection. Level I technicians also are able to identify each CCP for the products produced within the plan and the hazards associated with each, as well as the preventative and reactionary measure which are in place to address deviation. Level I technicians are also expected to participate in the Process Training course offered at the plant and complete the qualification step up card associated with the class.

· Miscellaneous Skills: Level I technicians are responsible for inputting data in to proficy properly and accurately. They must have basic computer knowledge and properly make use of word, excel, power point and their email. Each lab tech is responsible for an area wih in the lab. They must maintain all supplies in their stations as well as be proficient in placing orders through the ordering system. Any additional tasks assigned by the QA Leader or manager must be completed to the appropriate skill level. Professionalism and respect for peers and leadership are mandatory for this role.

·          *Food Safety Responsibilities

Candidates must meet the following guidelines:

·          Be able to follow instructions, read and understand equipment manuals and procedures.  Must be able to pass onboarding reading and comprehension test

·          Ability to work with and apply basic mathematical concepts

·          Knowledge of safety policies and procedures.  Can apply procedures to their specific responsibilities

·          Able to work all required shifts

·          Highly organized able to mutli-task and have time management skills. Able to work independently

·          Leadership skills

·          Ability to train and direct team members

·          Makes good decisions by asking questions and gathering relevant data in a timely manner. Knows when issues need to be elevated

·          High School – some College preferred

.          Basic knowledge of equipment, parts and preventative maintenance programs. 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

To successfully perform the essential function of this position, employees must have the ability to:

·         Continuously lift/move 10 pounds and frequently lift/move up to 25 pounds.

·         Continuously stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms above shoulder height; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk; and hear.

.         Occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, reach with hands and arms at waist level and below the waist, and work in limited space.
.         Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception
·         Standing continuously for at least 2 – 3 hours at one time