Quality Lab Tech Rochester, MN

Position: Quality Lab Tech Days +$5k Sign on Bonus - Rochester, MN
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Requisition  

Position Type (US)
Full Time

Workplace Arrangement  #LI-Onsite

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

Where you'll work  

Our Rochester, MN location is part of our Applied Health and Nutrition Division and specializes in fermented ingredients for products related to the bio-science industry.  Our team is proud of the work they do and have a focus on clean label or natural products ensuring freshness.

2402 7th Street NW Rochester, MN 55901

Pay Rate/Hourly Rate/shift differential  $25.00 - $29.00/hr.  

Shift/Working Hours 12 hr rotation, 3-2-2 schedule working 5 AM-530 PM

What you'll do

The Quality Lab Tech (Analytical) supports site Quality & Food Safety through routine analytical laboratory testing, accurate documentation, and timely communication of results. This role is also responsible for key on-floor verification activities that protect food safety and enable timely release, including sanitation verification swabbing, CCP verification checks, label verification, and initiating/maintaining product holds when quality is in question. The position works cross-functionally with Production, Sanitation, Warehouse, and Quality to ensure results are completed accurately, issues are escalated promptly, and records are audit-ready.

Key responsibilities

+  Ensures that products and QC practices are in compliance with Kerry standards and local, state and federal regulations, as well as customer requirements.

+  Gives input and assists in the development of QC procedures, policies, and philosophies. Supports equipment and Out-Of-Specification troubleshooting.  

+  Interprets and evaluates Out-Of-Specification QC test results against established specifications and industry practices. Leads product customer complaint and non-conformance investigations with Root Cause Analysis (RCAAPs) with a cross functional team. Ensures that they are actioned and closed in a timely manner.

+  Ensures all non-conformances pertaining to the lab are entered correctly into the Intelex database and are assigned to coordinators for investigation. Work cross-functionally in root cause analysis and investigations following site and product non-conformances. Work with production teams to drive completion of corrective action plans.

+  Aids in the introduction and set-up of new products and testing requirements in SAP.

+  Aids in the completion of external requests of samples and shelf-life extensions.

+  Aids the Quality team in Preventive Controls checks PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) related actions.

+  Coordinates all calibrations and PMs of lab equipment.

+  Purchases lab equipment/materials and ensures proper inventories are held.

+  Perform routine factory-based food safety and quality standards inspections and audits including (but not an exhaustive list) Fabrication inspections, GMP, Hygiene Verification audits, foreign body inspections, layered confirmation audits, logging all non-conformances.

Qualifications and skills

Associate or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Food Science, or a related scientific field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered based on role requirements.

- 0-2 years laboratory or manufacturing quality experience acceptable.

- 2-5 years' experience in an analytical, manufacturing QC, or food laboratory environment preferred.

- Experience with laboratory instruments, sanitation verification activities (e.g., ATP/micro swabs), and working to production-driven timelines preferred.

- Working knowledge of analytical laboratory practices and safe chemical handling.

- Familiarity with GMPs and food safety fundamentals (including…