Environmental and Information Technician

About Mana Nutrition

Mana Nutrition is a mission-driven manufacturer dedicated to producing ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to treat severe acute malnutrition around the world. Our work serves the world’s most vulnerable children, and everything we do is anchored in operational excellence, humility, and service. Mana Nutrition also owns Good Spread, a purpose-driven peanut butter company that fuels Mana’s mission while operating as an entrepreneurial growth venture.

Role Overview

The Environmental and Information Technician supports the facility’s environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, product sampling, recordkeeping, and food safety programs. This role ensures environmental and finished-product samples are collected, documented, shipped, reviewed, and maintained accurately and according to established procedures.

The technician also assists with investigations, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and effectiveness checks to help maintain regulatory compliance and protect product safety and quality.

Core Responsibilities

1. Environmental Monitoring & Sampling

• Conduct environmental swabbing according to the approved environmental monitoring schedule, sampling plan, and established procedures.

• Ensure finished-good sample forms are accurate and complete daily.

• Collect samples aseptically, label them accurately, document them properly, and submit them within required timeframes.

2. Laboratory Results & Information Management

• Receive, review, and verify microbiological laboratory results for environmental and finished-product samples.

• Review results for completeness, accuracy, compliance with specifications, and unusual trends.

• Upload microbiological results into the appropriate electronic system, database, or recordkeeping platform.

• Maintain current, accurate, and readily retrievable microbiological and environmental monitoring records.

• Maintain laboratory reports, sample submission forms, corrective-action records, and related supporting documentation.

3. Investigations, Corrective Actions & Trending

• Conduct or assist with investigations and corrective actions for out-of-specification results.

• Assist with microbiological data trending and identification of recurring or emerging environmental concerns.

• Support root cause analyses, corrective actions, and effectiveness checks as required.

4. Food Safety & Cross-Functional Support

• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety policies, laboratory procedures, and company requirements.

• Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, customer audits, and third-party certification audits.

• Communicate effectively with Quality Assurance, Sanitation, Production, Maintenance, Operations, and outside laboratories.

• Participate in food safety meetings, training, and continuous-improvement activities.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Associate degree or additional education in microbiology, biology, food science, environmental science, quality assurance, or a related field preferred.

• Previous experience in food manufacturing, environmental monitoring, laboratory testing, sanitation, or quality assurance preferred.

• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, environmental monitoring, aseptic sampling, and basic microbiological principles preferred.

• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective-action tools preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.

• Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Basic proficiency with computers, spreadsheets, databases, and electronic recordkeeping systems.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Work in a food-manufacturing environment and comply with required personal protective equipment and hygiene practices.

• Walk, stand, bend, reach, and access sampling locations throughout the facility.

• Work around production equipment, sanitation activities, temperature variations, and wet or dry processing areas.

• Lift and transport sampling supplies and shipping containers within company-established limits.

• Maintain flexibility to perform sampling during different shifts, production schedules, shutdowns, or other designated periods when required.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for someone who:

• Is detail-oriented and disciplined in sample collection, documentation, and recordkeeping.

• Can independently manage recurring sampling schedules, deadlines, and follow-up activities.

• Communicates unusual or out-of-specification results promptly and clearly.

• Works effectively across Quality Assurance, Sanitation, Production, Maintenance, Operations, and outside laboratories.

• Approaches investigations and corrective actions with care, accuracy, and a continuous-improvement mindset.

• Is comfortable working throughout a food-manufacturing environment and adapting to production needs.

What Success Looks Like

• Environmental and finished-product samples are collected, documented, shipped, and reviewed accurately and on time.

• Microbiological and environmental monitoring records remain current, accurate, and readily retrievable.

• Out-of-specification and unusual results are escalated promptly and supported by effective investigation and corrective-action follow-through.

• Microbiological data is reviewed for recurring or emerging environmental concerns.

• Audit, inspection, food safety, and continuous-improvement activities are supported with reliable information and documentation.

Culture Requirements:

Our mission is to Feed Kids! To accomplish this mission, we must know who we are as a Village and then decide how we will conduct ourselves to realize this great mission. We are guided by three simple “we are” statements. As leaders, we must know these principles but, most importantly, live them!

• We are a Village – Culture:

o Our culture transcends the walls of our factories. We view our employees and their families as integral members of a larger movement to end malnutrition worldwide.

• We are not jerks – Behavior:

o Our work is rooted in kindness. We believe in respecting every individual’s dignity, never letting anyone be just a number. From the way we run our factories to how we handle global logistics, empathy guides every decision.

• We are the “they” – Attitude:

o If we truly believe that what impacts one of us touches us all, then it’s our responsibility to consider how our actions shape the communities we work in, the people we serve, and the partners who help us make a difference.