Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 people all across the globe.
We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it’s not just food — we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.
Everything we do is about Making Better Happen™.

AAK LOCATION

This position is located in Richmond, California, USA

Relocation is not available for this role.

About the role

The Quality Lab Technician is tasked with supporting successful daily operations. This is achieved by performing tests on incoming raw materials, in-process and finished products and R&D samples. This ensures the superior quality of our product in a safety-first work environment. This requires collaboration and communication with all levels of Operations, Quality, Customer Innovation personnel and other departments, as needed.
Quality personnel shall set an example by demonstrating a commitment to quality and the needs of customers, both external and internal at all times.

Responsibilities

Support the Quality Control Manager in administering quality control systems, and product safety programs in accordance with company and regulatory guidelines.
Perform incoming, in-process, and finished product testing to assure conformance with customer and/or internal specifications.
Perform product inspections and tests in accordance with established quality standards, inspection plans, and test procedures.
Record all test results in digital form in the lab database or on standard data cards. Generate reports summarizing each day’s testing, and trend with statistics as needed for QA or Operational purposes.
Report results, review data and advise supervision of materials not meeting specifications. Urgent reporting is required for any out of specifications result associated with production and/or shipment analysis.
Prepare and generate required certificates of analysis for all product shipments.
Prepare and analyze chemical reagents and solutions as required to meet needs of QC/R&D systems.
Maintain chemical waste management systems in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations as required.
Interact with manufacturing operations within areas of responsibility on day to day quality issues.
Acquire and maintain a working knowledge of manufacturing systems as related to quality control.
Maintain inventory control of supplies and chemicals as necessary to support QC/R&D systems.
Maintain control of sample retain program, for a period of less than 6 months or per requirements.
Perform miscellaneous assignments as directed in order to support QC/R&D requirements.
Specific areas of responsibility are, but not limited to, hydrogenation, refining & bleaching, modification, deodorization, shipments & receiving, and waste water systems.
Assist in developing and maintain QC and processing equipment standardization checks
Under direction of the QC manager support research and development work by performing assigned testing and sample handling protocols.
Trained for and performs filters inspection for HACCP program CCP1.
Inventory lab supplies and notify management to order replacement supplies in a timely manner.
Perform environmental swabbing of the drumming area, water testing collection, and other assistance as needed.
Complete NCMR’s when applicable.
Assist Production by providing blending instructions in support of C.I.
Create sales samples, pack for shipment, test, provide COA for sales samples to be evaluated by customers.
Perform calibrations and troubleshooting on instruments and document the calibration.
Enter COAs for special oils and projects.
Analyze special oils and oils that have received CSIs.
Collection, review and analysis of data.
Enter samples into the Quality module of ITS (Inventory Tracking System).
Send customer samples out from the PRMS system.
Participate in the AOCS LPP series for Palm, Edibles, and Soybean oil(NOLs) upon request.
Review COAs from suppliers for incoming oils and ensure they meet our specifications.
Develop and maintain standards.
Train new employees in all aspects of the job.
Run analysis as needed on special projects.
Assist production in troubleshooting quality issues.
Maintain clean, orderly work environment: follow GLP (Good Laboratory Practices).
Execute 5S in lab and conference area.

About you

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required
Bachelor of Science Degree is preferred
Minimum of 1 year of laboratory experience, preferably in a food, drug or chemical laboratory

Flexibility in shift schedule (24 hour) is required and overtime is mandatory as operational needs dictate including weekends.

Proficient in MS Office and use of lab equipment
Ability to communicate effectively with others
Computer skills, math, and computation ability sufficient to apply general mathematical calculations, analysis of variance and other basic standard equations as required.
In return AAK offers

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care plan available after 90 days of employment
Pension and 401K
Paid holidays
Paid vacation and sick leave available after 1 year of employment
Regular pay raises July 1 of each year

About AAK
Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and with the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.