Job Description

**Join DFA's quality assurance / lab team at St. Albans. *

*SIGN ON BONUS - $1500

Premium benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, vacation.

Join a winning team! As the leading milk marketing cooperative and dairy foods processor in the United States, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) consists of more than 13,000 family farm-owners and more than 20,000 employees. Our employees are dedicated to delivering wholesome dairy products from the family farm to family tables around the world, while continuously exploring ways to be more innovative and efficient. Our commitment to produce a safe, sustainable and traceable product starts with our farmer-owners and is carried throughout the entire supply chain. Our employees make a difference within our Cooperative and the community while delivering value to our members.

General Purpose:

Ensure that DFA products are produced and distributed to the highest food safety and quality standards. Test all raw intermediated and finished products as well as collect and test environmental samples according to established procedures. Work with a high degree of accuracy and concentration to produce valid test results in a timely manner.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

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

• Ensure the following facility programs are followed: safety, food safety, GMP, preventive maintenance, quality assurance, and sanitation

• Help ensure all policies and procedures for the American Institute of Baking (AIB), Quality Assurance

• International (QAI), Organic, FDA, USDA, CDPHE and GMA SAFE are followed

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

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

• Maintain proficiency of testing for Critical Quality Points

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

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

• 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

• Review performance verifications and preventive maintenance records for completeness and archive as needed

• Safeguard and protect all company assets

• Make decisions in a timely manner

• Anticipate problems and implement solutions

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

• Is responsible for the attainment of plant goals and objectives

• Use skills and talent to contribute to organizational success

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

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

• Follow all DFA GMP's and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements

• Exhibit the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America through honesty, discretion and sound judgment

• Complete and show competency in the yearly New York State split sample program.

• Are responsible for COA's on finished product

• Release product prior to shipment

• Assist with laboratory special projects and new testing implementation

• Assist in creating SOP's, SSOP, s and other procedures for the laboratory

• Assist in laboratory training needs.

• Work with Sanitation for ATP and Environmental Testing

• 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.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements :

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GEDpreferred

• 2 year applied science degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or microbiology preferred

• 1 year of experience in a food laboratory

• Within six months, the Lab Technician must be provisionally approved for antibiotic testing by the VermontState certifying officer

• Within six months, the Lab Technician must be provisionally approved for antibiotic testing by the VermontState certifying officer

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Pay Range $18.73 - $23.75/ hour