Technician, Quality Line Full Time NEW

This position is eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus.

Want to learn how to make juice? Lassonde Pappas & Co. is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we’ve been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you’re passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee’s total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

Position Summary

The Quality Line Tech reports to the QA Supervisor and is based out of our Hendersonville, North Carolina location. This individual will be responsible for conducting product quality checks throughout the manufacturing process to ensure products produced at the Hendersonville plant meet or exceed food safety & food quality requirements, as well as customer expectations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (essential Functions Of The Job)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Responsibilities Include

• Conduct standardized analytical tests on juice, drinks, waters, teas, and concentrates, including pH, Titratable Acid (TA), vitamin C, °Brix, color, clarity, and turbidity, to ensure compliance with specifications; record results as applicable.
• Use sensory analysis (flavor, odor, visual) to ensure that products meet specific characteristics at blending and finished good sections. Along with any other necessary testing needs that may arise.
• Supports bulk and raw material sampling, testing, and release as needed. Additional testing includes: sensory, pH, viscosity, Brix, Acid.
• Perform pre-operational verifications and line clearance at the start of the shift and at flavor/label changes.
• Carry out and document hourly quality line checks analytical, labeling, and packaging
• Accurately maintains records and documents testing information and results in real time in compliance with procedures and regulations. Reviews test data and performs release of finished good products according to procedure.
• Identifies, and communicates issues regarding aseptic production matters.
• Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Document and provide support for investigations pertaining to quality issues requiring resolution. Documentation includes: OOS, NCR, and Deviations
• Support product and package analysis on the Aseptic Line Demonstrates ability to support production lines by answering quality related questions and ensuring that the department is meeting the required quality standards
• Executes routine Laboratory work and microbial testing of finished goods, bulk, and raw materials for compliance to identified organisms of interest under FDA, SQF and other relevant regulatory
• Respond to Food Safety and Quality incidents, review, and verify Critical Control Points and execute the environmental monitoring program
• Assist in sampling, placing items on QA hold, physically & electronically in QAD, evaluating and IDing holds for proper disposition.
• In coordination with the Quality Assurance and/or Production Manager, discard or reject materials not meeting specifications or other requirements
• Assist in performing calibration and logging results of all lab and floor instrumentation when requested.
• Provide additional QA presence in, problem-solving and special project management (e.g., rework operations, downtime activities, etc.)
• As part of QA presence in the plant, make observations and corrections related to SQF, GMP, regulatory, quality, sanitation, and employee safety concerns
• Participate in employee training program
• Follow safe work practices and is proactive in implementing safety and housekeeping improvements.
• All other duties as assigned

Education And Experience

Minimum Required Qualification

• 1 to 3 years’ relevant experience
• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Ability to learn analytical & lab related responsibilities
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to direct, coach, and train others
• Computer literate
• Detail-oriented and able to multi-task
• Three months of manufacturing experience

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food/beverage industry or GMP environment
• Experience with microbiology lab techniques
• Credibility and Integrity
• Build and maintain professional relationships
• Associate’s degree or higher in general science, food science, microbiology or a related field

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office setting; driving a motor vehicle and occasionally working in the field.

FREQUENT: sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to include extended periods of keyboard and mouse use, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials.

OCCASIONAL: squatting, kneeling, reach above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing up to 50lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

VISION: Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction.

HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein 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 to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.