Lead Quality Technician

Lead Quality Technician

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

This position is responsible for ensuring the lab is fully equipped and operating, ensuring product analysis is completed, out of specification product is placed on hold, coordinating all certificates of analysis, and training other team members on performing product testing procedures for Anchor Ingredients Co., LLC Hillsboro facilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate samples for bias adjustments. Run sample in house, send to third party lab and then enter 3^rd party lab results into Mosaic Manager 
• Perform quality testing on in-process samples and lot/load samples
• Perform mycotoxin testing on samples
• Coordinate samples when needed for mycotoxin test method validation with Neogen
• Perform calibration and maintenance activities on lab testing equipment
• Complete daily check samples on NIR
• Maintain clean environment for lab are and lab equipment. 
• Work with QA Manager and Plant QA manager on updating lab manual documentation and defining and writing new procedures when needed 
• Keep inventory of testing supplies and reorder as needed to ensure adequate supply is maintained
• Ensure COA’s are sent for all outbound orders shipping from the facility(s). Coordinate sampling/testing for loads that are scheduled to leave outside of lab hours.
• Print COA’s and send with drivers
• Email COAs to the customer QA department
• Review internal lab results for compliance to specifications. Work with QA Manager and Ops team when results are starting to trend near out of spec limits
• Work alongside customer service, operations and the rest of the quality team to ensure compliance with Anchor and customer requirements
• Assist in the implementation of internal quality documentation including product specifications, QA procedures, etc.
• Identify opportunities to increase efficiencies and streamline lab operations
• Train in new employees or other team members on testing procedures. 
• Be resource to the scale operators when questions arise regarding product testing
• Conduct any secondary or confirmatory testing when needed. 
• Participate in additional internal training opportunities related to food safety, quality, and leadership skills

Process Improvement

• Provide guidance to plant operators regarding standard operating procedures related to quality, sanitation and safety
• Assist with quality project management as it relates to product testing, product specifications, process improvement and audits
• Proactively identify opportunities to increase operational efficiencies 

Safety

• Support and adhere to the Company’s Safety Program.

General Responsibilities

• Project work or items outside of this Job Description, as specified from time to time by the QA Manager and General Managers.
• In common with all other personnel within Anchor Ingredients, the Job Holder is required to adhere to the Company’s policies on Safety, Hygiene and good housekeeping. Specifically: 
• To take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and that of other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions; 
• To co-operate regarding any duty or requirement; 
• To report to his/her immediate manager any hazard which may be discovered on at the place of work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in work product
• Demonstrated problem solving experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Outlook, Excel and Word
• Ability to see the big picture while focusing on the process and procedures necessary to produce deliverables
• Ability to establish and meet deadlines
• Flexibility and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics and physical demands 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.

This job operates within both a professional office environment as well as ingredient processing facilities.  While performing the duties of this job within the processing facilities, the employee will be exposed to machinery and moving parts.  The employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions, high precarious places and confined spaces, & airborne particles including grain dust and hazardous materials or fumes, which may require the use of PPE. The noise level in some of the work environments may require the use of hearing protection. While performing the duties of this job inside the office, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions for an office environment with a noise level that is usually quiet to moderate. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee may be required to stand for long periods of time as well as use hands or fingers to reach or handle, and to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. All vision abilities are required to encompass close-up work. On occasion, employee must be able to tolerate and endure extended seasonal hours and maintain alertness to meet deadlines.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Headquartered in Fargo, ND, Anchor Ingredients is the most customer-centric, innovative and transparent farm-to-food partner, dedicated to delivering premium ingredients and added value services to the food and pet food industries. Our farm-level relationships, combined with our global reach, allow us to efficiently procure and process ingredients from around the region and throughout the world, uniquely positioning us to fulfill our customers' diverse ingredient requirements. We take pride in our world-class team which boasts extensive industry experience combined with an unwavering dedication to our company’s mission, vision and values, and a commitment to delivering quality and innovation throughout the entire food supply chain. 

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is not a complete description of responsibility, but reflects the general qualifications, duties and/or responsibilities necessary to perform this position.  Anchor Ingredients reserves the right to revise the job description. All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to successfully pass a background check, as well as testing for commonly abused controlled substances in accordance with the company’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.  Anchor Ingredients is an at-will employer, which means that either the employee or the company may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause.  We are an equal opportunity employer.