Lab Technician

Lab Technician

Title: Lab Technician

Department: Quality Assurance/R&D

Location: Iola, KS

Status: Full-Time

Description

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life…

As a Lab Tech you will be working directly with your Quality Assurance team members to ensure that only the finest product is shipped to our consumers. You will be conducting quality inspections, resolving quality issues, investigating root causes, directing and training team members, and following proper procedure for all documentation. You will also learn the job function of all quality team members so that you may relieve them during breaks or while on vacation or sick leave. Inventory management, audit prep, and general leadership are some of the other key functions.

What you will be doing….

• Understanding of weights and measurements including metric conversions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Verify that process specifications, from raw material to packaged goods, are maintained at acceptable levels.
• Maintain a high level of awareness regarding sanitation standards and conditions.
• Collaborates with employees and management from all areas of the plant to ensure compliance with RSC guidelines, rules, and procedures.
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.
• Follow batching instructions and product formulas with accuracy and precision.
• Measure, weigh, and dispense raw materials and ingredients according to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Document all batch activities, including lot numbers, weights, and times, on appropriate forms or in digital systems.
• Perform pre-op checks, equipment calibration, and verification activities before batching begins.
• Coordinate with QA and Production teams to ensure timely delivery of batches to production lines.
• Take product samples as required and deliver them to the quality lab for testing.
• Identify and report deviations or out-of-spec materials immediately to QA or Supervisory staff.
• Maintain cleanliness of batching equipment and work area in compliance with GMP and sanitation guidelines.
• Handle and store raw materials and ingredients properly to avoid contamination or spoilage.
• Support inventory rotation (FIFO) and assist with material reconciliation.
• Adhere to all plant safety policies, food safety regulations, and company procedures.

Do you have what it takes… (Basic Qualifications)

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Basic math skills.
• Computer skills, including MS Office.
• Able to multi-task, prioritize and be detail oriented.
• Experience with organizing batch set ups.
• Self-motivated and teamwork orientated.
• Able to prioritize daily schedules.
• Able to read formulas, order raw materials, do monthly inventory.
• Must be able to differentiate between colors and changes in colors.

Do you stand above the rest? (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience in food service or food manufacturing.
• Experience with Lab Testing Procedures annual document review and assessment.
• Able to communicate well and is a team player.

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well-being is our top priority, and we've got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you'll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we'll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you're always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside cutting-edge equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels – it's a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you're on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there's never a dull moment. This is a place where you'll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens like nuts, milk, and more.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.