Quality Tech - Balchem Corporation

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COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is located in New Hampton, New York, (Hudson Valley area) and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ – “BCPC”) with annual revenues over $640 million and a market cap exceeding $3.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products.  Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary role of technicians is to support the production, packaging, and warehouse operations.  These technicians will be required to perform post clean-up inspections, sample testing, issuance of internally printed labels, release of incoming packaging components/raw materials, data entry, CCP verification, and the routing of samples to customers and 3^rd party labs.  This function is directly tied to the day-to-day operation of equipment and the production of product. technicians will be asked to perform duties such as Documentation Review, Managing HOLDs and Inventories, Finished Product Approval and Release, HACCP Deviations, Foreign Material Reports and the training of entry level technicians. Individuals can be asked to participate in the completion of Customer Complaint Investigations, CAPAs; OOS management associated with the Environmental Monitoring Program as well as internal and external testing deviations; participate in verification and validation activities and reporting and assist with special customer requests related to the QA function. This position is a 12-hour shift from 5:30 am to 5:30 pm on a rotating schedule. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• The incoming inspection, sampling, testing, and release of raw materials and packaging components
• Auditing, swabbing and release of operations areas and equipment post clean-up activities
• Issuance of product specific labeling that is generated at Balchem, Inc., and verification of MPRs for the packaging team
• Verification of HACCP Program during the production of bulk and retail products
• Organoleptic and Physical testing of raw materials, Work-In-Process Material (WIP), BULK and Finished Goods (FG)
• Collection and routing of samples to customers and 3^rd party testing facilities
• Routine GMP Auditing of the production facility, providing daily scores used to determine the “audit readiness” of the company
• Data entry for the accurate usage of raw materials and packaging components used by the operations group during manufacturing
• Perform detailed reviews of Master Manufacturing Records (MMRs) and Master Packaging Records (MPRs) completed by the operations teams during the manufacturing of products
• Process Holds for raw materials and finished goods as needed, complete inventory activities associated with material that is on HOLD
• Release bulk and retail finished goods through the Balchem, Inc. product approval process
• Provide positive, productive Technician training for new team members
• Maintain product quality standards
• Complete Foreign Material Investigations, HACCP Deviations, and Equipment Verification activities
• Work with the Operations group on internal OOS events
• Assist as required in investigations of Consumer Complaints
• Perform the tasks associated with the trending and reporting of results related to the Environmental Monitoring program, including OOS events
• Participate in SOP Review and Revision
• Participate in Cleaning Verification Activities and Reporting
• Maintain a work environment that is compliant with hygienic practices applicable to food and dietary supplement manufacturing
• Understand, comply with, and enforce GMP requirements throughout the factory
• Initiate and support continuous improvement and elimination of waste and variation in processes using established improvement processes
• Must develop cooperative relationships with other departments
• All other duties as necessary to the success of Balchem, Inc.

Safety Expectations:

• Responsible for performing all job requirements in a safe manner using the proper PPE and being a proactive safety role model with co-workers
• Responsible for correcting/reporting unsafe behaviors or equipment to ensure a safe working environment
• Responsible for cleanliness within the work department

Quality/Food Safety Expectations:

• Follow all Food safety practices and processes applicable to the department
• Perform/execute job duties keeping the company’s commitment to quality in mind
• Monitor and maintain all food safety activities as part of daily tasks
• Enforce food safety plan while producing product

Activity Priorities:

• Shift Pass off/ review emails
• HACCP Checks (three plus per shift) ,800-line priority (Cargill-5:45)
• Keep all rooms running
  • Clean Inspections – and sign offs
  • Chemical concentration tests
  • Line clearances
  • Beginning of lot and end of lot metal checks lot code checks
  • Issue labels
• GMP’s and random line checks
• Complete calibration Checks
• Environmental Sampling as assigned
• Albion Testing
• KGM testing
• Document review
• Samples prepared for Outside Lab by 8:00 AM
• Clean Scoops
• Lot Composite Analysis
• Area sanitation
• QA Projects, for example:
  • CAPA’s, complaints, etc.
  • Filing Paperwork
  • Review Inventory for Expired Items to Update Lot Status
  • Level 1 Holds Inventory
  • Updating specifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• GED, High School Diploma, or a minimum of 5 years of quality experience in a dietary supplement, food, medical device, or pharmaceutical setting are required
• Basic Computer Skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Power Point, etc.)
• Available to work hours on various shifts with advanced notice
• Aptitude to stay focused and work tasks through to completion
• Ability and willingness to learn, understand, and follow documented work procedures
• Knowledge of GFSI accredited programs, and food GMPs is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively while performing detail orientated work in a in a fast-paced environment with professionalism and respect
• Motivated to learn the role of Quality in a Food manufacturing environment
• Ability to develop fellow technicians to build their “quality mindedness” and improve their overall capability within the department

• BA or BS in a math or science-based program preferred
• Continuing Education in auditing, problem solving, or root cause is preferred
• Experienced at training individuals regarding SOP defined tasks and policies that affect product safety and quality is preferred
• Knowledge of SQF and food GMPs experience, SQF, PCQI and HACCP certifications a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear
• Occasionally required to kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, ascend and descend stairs and/or ladders
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Vision requirements include close vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus
• This position is performed in a production environment in a manufacturing location
• The noise level in the plant is moderate to loud
• There will be exposure to machine noise and food dust when in the plant
• Employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and with or around various chemicals
• Occasionally exposed to vibration and risk of electric shock
• Production environment includes varying temperatures (heat, cold and moisture)
• May be risk of exposure to allergens of the industry such as eggs, wheat, peanuts, dairy products, tree nuts, and soy products, as well as latex and powders