QA Lab Technician - Skjodt-Barrett Foods

Who we are

Skjodt-Barrett is a world-class manufacturer of food solutions and custom ingredients for North America's most beloved and trusted brands. We take pride in working closely with our customers to understand their unique needs and create innovative, individualized solutions that deliver joy to their customers.

A family-founded company started over 35 years ago, we are backed by the investment company Axel Johnson Inc (AJI). With their investment and support, we are well-positioned to foster growth and explore new opportunities.

Our customers, blue-chip international brands and mid-sized producers alike, are why we exist. Our teams of innovators, communicators, and managers are the people who meet their needs, build trust, and exceed their expectations. 

Who we need

We are looking for a QA Lab Technician to join our team. You will play a critical role in ensuring the highest product quality by conducting analytical testing and production floor quality analysis. You will oversee product testing from raw ingredients to final batch sampling, verifying that all products meet the required specifications. You will foster collaboration with the manufacturing team to optimize processes and ensure safety and quality standards compliance. 

This is a night shift, Monday through Friday, 10 PM - 6:30 AM, with occasional overtime.

What’s in it for you

Impact. This is an opportunity to ensure the quality of our production from the early stages through to the packaging. You will have the chance to learn and grow within the role, taking on new challenges, including working with new automation lines.

Exposure. This is a chance to collaborate with a smaller team and learn the ins and outs of our high-quality production operations and best practices. You will gain exposure across departments, different areas of food production, and the entire manufacturing process. You will be involved at every stage, from sensory testing on raw ingredients to verifying temperatures and pH during the process, and batch-sampling the final product.

Career development. At Skjodt-Barrett, we value the drive to bring ideas to life and the resilience to be accountable for your actions. We have a proven history of promoting our people with career paths starting on the plant floor or in administration and growing into people and plant leadership roles. 

How you will make an impact:

• Production floor testing. You will perform on-floor, in-process audits to ensure products on the manufacturing line meet quality standards. You will work with the Production Supervisor and Quality Supervisor to identify and resolve production issues, as well as collaborate with the production team to ensure products are manufactured according to standards.
• Lab testing. You will conduct standardized tests on purees and fillings to ensure compliance with customer specifications and FDA regulations regarding factors such as Brix, pH, Bostwick, %TA, and Vitamin C. You will perform sensory evaluations on raw materials and finished goods. You will accurately record and interpret data.
• Analyze. You will review your test results and those of others, providing feedback, direction, and approval/disapproval of in-process goods. You will analyze test results of products at equilibrium to determine further testing, action required, or final approval.
• Collaborate. You will develop trusting and influential relationships with the Operators and work closely with the production team to streamline QA processes. You will share information with the night shift production team, ensuring a smooth handover between shifts. 
• Share knowledge. You will increase your understanding of different manufacturing processes. You will contribute to the implementation of new automation systems.

What you bring to the role:

• The experience. You have a food science education or background and can read and interpret scientific standards, measurements, processes, and results. You have a strong understanding of QA processes in a manufacturing setting, identifying potential issues on the production floor. You are familiar with quality control, lab testing, sensory testing, and manufacturing processes, particularly in food production environments.
• The drive. You are naturally curious and have strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. You are proactive in identifying opportunities for process improvement and working with production teams to implement solutions. You are highly organized, extremely detail-oriented, and excel at planning. You have a continuous learning mindset, always seeking opportunities to increase your knowledge and gain more information. 
• The interpersonal skills. You have professional and flexible verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to record and interpret data and generate reports. You can build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders across levels and teams. You genuinely appreciate diverse experiences and backgrounds and are interested in understanding others, hearing their perspectives, and addressing their concerns.
• The adaptability. You are willing to alternate between lab and on-floor tasks. You can adapt to overtime hours as needed. You thrive working in a variety of different supervisory structures.

Why join?

We've got great taste. We care deeply about fostering a culture of transparency, responsibility, and integrity. It's what drives us to make great-tasting, convenient, and healthy ingredients and finished products that our customers depend on. With a focus on nurturing and growing our employees' careers and professional satisfaction, we believe in open communication, idea sharing, and knowledge building. Skjodt-Barrett is committed to building an inclusive culture that helps to create longevity, growth, and innovation in the food industry.

We are working towards a sustainable future. We believe that what's good for people and the planet is good for profit. It is everyone's responsibility to do their part. We recognize the growing need to prioritize sustainability in manufacturing, and we continue to take steps to evolve. We strive to accelerate the adoption of sustainable packaging and food products to be a responsible partner for our customers and for the greater good. We take our role as a supply chain partner to heart and adhere to a strict Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our vendors uphold the integrity and values we live by.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Every day, we come together to exceed the expectations of our customers, each other and ourselves, inspired by our values:

• We care. About family, honesty, and respect.
• We communicate. Across every level, often, effectively, and clearly.
• We Empower. With trust, integrity, and accountability.
• We Deliver. Every time, through teamwork, innovation, and results.

We support and care for our employees and their families. 

We want to ensure our employees feel supported and appreciated. Starting after 60 days, we offer comprehensive health, dental, short and long term disability coverage and additional benefits, insurance options, and 401K matching. 

We provide paid accrued vacation time starting at 13 days per year, plus 8 paid holidays, 2 days paid sick time, and access to Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement Program, Annual Bonus Program, and a Perfect Attendance Quarterly Bonus.

Apply now.

At Skjodt-Barrett, we aim for diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion in all of our operations and interactions. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in delivering innovative food product solutions, apply to express your interest. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

1. A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and your experience.
2. An on-site plant tour and an interview with the Plant Manager and an HR Generalist. This will be a chance to see firsthand the plant setup, understand current standards and share your experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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