QA Lab Tech II - Tipton - Shift Flex (72678)

Location: 531 West Poplar Avenue| Tipton | CA | 93272

Hourly Rate: $23.59  (Overtime and weekends may be required)

We are hiring for a Flex Shift position which will cover all three shifts where needed. 

Shift:  1st Shift 6am - 2:30pm

Shift: 2nd Shift 2pm - 10:30pm | Shift Differential $0.40 hour

Shift: 3rd Shift 10pm - 6:30am | Shift Differential $0.80 hour

Job Summary

The QA Lab Technician II is responsible for performing analytical testing and quality verification of inbound tankers, outbound tankers, production batches, and in-process products to ensure compliance with customer specifications, food safety requirements, and operational standards. This role conducts advanced laboratory analysis, equipment calibration, product evaluations, CCP verification, and quality documentation while supporting blending operations, corrective actions, and technician training. 

The QA Lab Technician II also provides backup support for Peel Technician responsibilities as needed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Food Safety is the responsibility of all Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees. All Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees must be aware of CCP’s in their area and how to document them appropriately.  All staff must report food safety and quality problems to their immediate supervisor in charge during their shift.
• Perform routine analytical tests per specification: citric acid, brix, acid, pH, coarse/sinking pulp, pectin, defects, oil, color, Howard Mold, viscosity, blue dye, clarity, and absorbance. 
• Pull sample from batch tanks, silos, tankers, packaged products, resampling for microbiological and product testing as needed.
• Review analytics against customer specification and issue water, oil, and/or preservative correction as needed. 
• Assist in blending projects.
• Participate in all performance evaluation programs such as cross checks and JBT Co-Op samples. 
• Assist in sample submission requests.
• Perform dissolved oxygen testing.  
• verify labels for production packaging lots. 
• Create lots for new production and blends.
• Enter all data into the Portal/CitrOS/Sage with accuracy and speed.
• Calibrate all laboratory equipment at the beginning of each shift.
• Communicate out of specification product and tanker rejections to management to ensure corrective action. 
• Pull aseptic samples from pulp collection, tanks, tankers, purchased drums, and silos as directed. Resample product for retesting as needed. 
• Participate in plantwide food safety culture audit. 
• Perform pre-operational audit and qualify production equipment and tankers for use by observation and bioluminescence swabs.
• Assist in training technicians as necessary.
• Report non-standard conditions to the Lead or QA Supervisor immediately.
• Responsible for CCP #3 (Tanker Inspection) review of documentation and a secondary check on compliance with JPA guidelines. 
• Organize quality documentation including but not limited to instrument calibrations, tanker inspection forms, pasteurization charts, sanitation documents, etc.
• Perform moisture testing of citrus peel after the extraction of fruit and communicate wet peel loads to production team to ensure corrective action.
• Perform analytical testing of incoming fresh fruit through in-process testing to the integrity of the final product. Samples must be extracted and analyzed in a timely and efficient manner. 
• Analyze oil content using Berkel machine and perform oil efficiency testing on feed, separators and crème tanks.
• Perform Chlorine and hard water test at the end of each shift.
• Follow all safety rules and practices to include the wearing of all essential personal protective equipment.
• Follow all personal hygiene and food safety practices.
• Act professionally toward co-workers, customers, vendors or other visitors to the plant.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance, consistent punctuality and a positive attitude.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Two (2) years’ experience in a food processing environment.
• High school graduate; prefer college level course work in chemistry or other sciences or Associate Degree.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products:  Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and large ERP applications. 
• Ability to work successfully in a team-involvement environment is a must. 
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment such as: autorefractometer, pH meter, auto titrator, centrifuge, spectrometer and colorimeter.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to meet flexible and changing priorities and the ability to work under pressure is a must.  
• Ability to lift to 30 lbs.
• 70% Routine Laboratory analysis.
• 20% Computer data entry.
• 10% Walking, auditing facility, and climbing ladders.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

Salary : $24