QC Lab Technician - Lead

Overview/Function: The Lab Technician Lead is responsible for inspecting and testing raw materials and finished products, ensuring conformance to corporate product specifications and quality standards.

Major Responsibilities:

• Follow all relevant procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and maintenance of quality records (i.e., ISO, GMP, FDA, USDA). Safely perform all tasks in a safe manner to ensure achievement of Quality, Service, and Cost objectives.
• Ensure all incoming raw materials and finished product meets corporate product specifications and quality standards.
• Utilizing diagnostic equipment, conduct laboratory testing (microbiological, calibration, chemical) and collect data, analyze, and record findings. Includes, but is not limited to: ingredients, blends, acidity level, flavor, color, taste, acid, temperatures, fill weights, fill heights of finished product, etc. Measure for composition, weight, density, dimensions, torque, etc. to determine physical properties of samples and compliance with standards. Common laboratory equipment, including but not limited to, electronic balances, colorimeters, torque testers, pH meters, spectrophotometers, density meters, turbidimeters, refractometers, water baths, stirrers, vacuum pumps, timers, and incubators.
• Perform microbiological analysis on finished product and incoming ingredients.
• Monitor and inspect production lines to ensure that quality and package integrity are within specifications.
• Verify that product codes, labels, cases, cartons, cans, bottles, packages, sleeves, seals, and shrink-wrap are correct.
• Prepare and maintain samples; Complete and maintain documentation associated with quality checks.
• In accordance with standard product specifications and quality standards, report analysis data to supervisor for approval before releasing ingredients or finished product for distribution.
• Conduct general instrument maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Prioritize samples and independently manage time to maximize delivery scheduling and inventory lead times.
• Responsible for laboratory inventory supply and maintaining area cleanliness.
• Effectively communicate technical and analytical data using reports, charts, graphs, etc. as required.
• Carry out special projects as needed.
• Serve as the primary quality resource for all issues pertaining to the quality of the product from incoming inspection of supplier's material to the final inspection of products. Participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist QC Technicians and syrup batchers with daily responsibilities
• Training new employees
• Assist in monitoring employee compliance with operational standards, along with other department and company policies and practices.
• Assist Supervisor with employee coaching.
• Provide coverage for onsite issues on behalf of Supervisor during PTO.

Other duties as required.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Associates degree in microbiology or chemistry with at least 2 years of laboratory experience is required. Will consider other equivalent experience in lieu of degree.
• Experience in a regulated industry desired.
• Ability to perform basic laboratory skills in a safe manner.
• Ability to record, understand, interpret, and effectively communicate technical data.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze and effectively solve on-site problems, while under potentially stressful situations.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent team-player; Strong ability to effectively interact with multiple departments.
• Highly motivated self-starter, with the ability to work with minimal oversight.
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to varying situations.
• Basic PC skills, with proficiency with MS Office products. Statistical analysis experience is helpful.
• Demonstrated good attendance.
• Ability to cross train in different responsibilities of the facility.
• Regular, consistent attendance is a condition of employment.

Additional:

• The role is based in a lab but will spend considerable time on the production floor with considerable time spent standing. Work in the production environment includes wetness, heights, dust, moving equipment, vibrations, and vapors. There are also high noise levels consistent with a fast-moving production environment. Required personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided.
• This position is very active and requires regular standing, walking, twisting, grasping, reaching, pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, sitting, stooping, crouching, crawling, and stair climbing. The employee may frequently lift and/or move items over 55 lbs. and will also push/pull approximately 80 lbs. of product using moving equipment. (Moving equipment and tools will be provided to reduce strains and injury.) Some manual finger, hand, and arm dexterity, and work around cramped and tight spaces will be needed. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision to detect color-changes in testing, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Work hours will be Monday-Friday (6:00 am - 4:00 pm). Depending on production schedule needs, occasional alternative days/times may be needed, including overtime and weekends.

Note: No posting can contain a fully comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required in this role. Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company offers a dynamic, ever-changing environment requiring flexibility and a willing, team-based attitude. Some duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

To ensure the safety of our employees, our customers, and our products, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company offers a drug-free workplace. Employees are subject to pre-employment/post-offer drug and random drug testing.

EOE