Lab Technician II
SCUSA Saputo Cheese USA Inc.

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?

Summary
Tests and inspects equipment and/or products at various stages of production process and compiles and evaluates statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products by performing the following duties.

Schedule: 6am-4pm- Sunday-Wednesday. Must be flexible.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary

Selects products for tests at specified stages in production process and tests products for various chemical and microbiological attributes.

Records test data, applying statistical quality control procedures. Enters data into the manufacturing and database software and spreadsheets.

Knows standard results/specifications of products tested and communicates to the proper distribution group if out of range/out of specification result occurs.

Advanced understanding of microbiology, standard methods/AOAC, and 2400 series. Proficient understanding of Petrifilm applications.

Proficiency in all laboratory areas preferred. Certified Industry Supervisor for Appendix N required. Certified Industry Analyst for Charm F-AP required. Must be able to conduct full testing and reporting independently.

Understanding of laboratory equipment such as EZ Readers, FT1, FoodScan, Process Scan, pH meters, etc. to assist with troubleshooting as needed.

Strong understanding of environmental monitoring programs including zoning to be able to perform environmental, pre-operational and operational swabs and ability to assist with annual swab-a-thon as well as tightened situations.

Technical report writing skills to assist with creating and reviewing Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.

Maintenance of laboratory and work areas to include sanitation, cleaning, general repair, restocking, etc. Keeps laboratory areas clean and organized.

Demonstrates initiative and strong interpersonal, communication and team skills. Remains willing and able to work in any laboratory assigned. Self-motivated and a self-starter.

Demonstrates safe and quality conscious work habits and follows all company policies and procedures. Serves on plant safety team.

Demonstrates prompt and regular attendance. Overtime as required.

Supports Saputo's commitment to preserve the environment by following all established policies and procedures related to such preservation. Reports any identified concerns regarding potential hazards to the environment.

Other

Assists with the comparative sampling program including, but not limited to, Kjeldahl testing, cheese chemistry, and preparing samples for external comparison testing.

Assists with PMs on laboratory equipment to include, but not limited to, laboratory pipettor calibration, thermometer calibrations, pH meters and balance calibrations.

Travel may be required for training.

Focuses on Saputo's vision and goals and considers the best interest of Saputo and its employees, customers, and patrons while performing job duties. Demonstrates professionalism and positively represents and promotes Saputo at all times. Maintains confidentiality.

Employees are responsible for understanding and complying with the Current Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety guidelines to ensure that quality food products are manufactured in a sanitary production environment and delivered with superior protection to our customers and consumers.

Performs all other duties as assigned. (However some may become primary)

Additional Lab Technician Tasks by Lab/Task:

Cheese Analyst Laboratory

Performs various chemical composition testing of finished products to include moisture, fat, pH, and salt attributes utilizing either wet chemistry or infrared technology. Performs organoleptic checks on finished product.

Milk Analyst Laboratory

Performs weekly comparisons on the FT1 unit. Analyzes milk load samples for butterfat, protein, and other solids. Maintains and prepares reagents for daily running of the FT1.

Microbiology Laboratory

Ensures a microbiologically safe product and quality product by conducting raw product, in-process, and finished product testing. Assists with cheese micro sampling as necessary.

Milk Receiving Laboratory

Verifies the antibiotic log sheet daily. Maintains inventory of lab supplies in intake lab. Prints load bar code labels. Each facility shall maintain at minimum of two Certified Industry Supervisors for the Appendix N Program as assigned.

Whey Laboratory

Ensures the quality of whey products by performing various tests to include plating, total solids, pH, salts, titratable acidity, scorch, specks, solubility, floc., and moistures. Assists with the calibration of the Unity SpectraStar and other instrument calibration. Gathers and sends samples out to outside lab for pathogen testing. Conducts in-house micro testing.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Associate's degree in a science-related field required. 2 years related experience preferred. Bachelor's degree in a science-related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Ability to pass written exam and lab practicum related to job tasks may be required.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and all plant personnel.

Math Ability:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and deal with a variety of variables in situations where some standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to recognize out of specification results.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have strong knowledge of Excel, manufacturing, and database software.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather); work near moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While in the plant noise levels can become loud.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All Positions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will stand more than 2/3 of each hour during a shift. The employee will reach and grasp more than 200 times per shift. The employee is required to walk 1/3 - 2/3 of each hour during a shift. The employee will bend and twist 33-200 times per shift. The employee is required to squat, kneel, push, and pull 1-32 times per shift. The employee will sit up to 1/3 of each hour during a shift. Moderate lifting and/or moving is required for this position. The employee will lift and/or move up to 75# 1-85 times per shift with assistance over 50#. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the top producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands such as Stella, Frigo Cheese, Montchevre, Stella, and Treasure Cave. We also boast a strong foodservice presence, partnering with reputable chain restaurants and broadline distributors.

Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to our success. You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help.

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC endeavors to make CareersUSA.Saputo.com accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Human Resources at 214-863-2300 or email us.recruitingsupport@saputo.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under law, please visit www.EEOC.gov.

To review the Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and Saputo Dairy Foods USA LLC Privacy Notice for California applicants, please visit our Corporate website associated section by clicking here (English) or here (Spanish).