Quality Tech

Description

Be a Key Ingredient in Our Success: Join Mid America Pet Food as a Quality Technician!

At Mid America Pet Food (MAPF), we're passionate about providing nutritious food that enriches the lives of pets. As a Quality Technician, you'll be on the front lines, ensuring the integrity and safety of our products. You'll join a team that thrives in a positive and supportive atmosphere where your contributions are recognized and valued. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including generous employer-paid health insurance for full-time employees and their eligible dependents, PTO, FSA, 401k matching, and more. Come grow your career with us!

Job Purpose: Quality Technician

As a Quality Technician, you will play a critical role in maintaining a clean, professional, and safe working environment while upholding the highest quality standards for our pet food. You will be responsible for executing a range of tests according to our detailed Quality Work Procedures, ensuring timely completion as directed by Quality Management. Your diligence in identifying and reporting any deviations will directly impact product quality. This self-directed position requires a strong understanding of company policies, procedures, and a commitment to our core values.

Your Responsibilities:

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory and work area.
• Conduct rigorous quality assurance checks throughout the entire MAPF production process.
• Collaborate closely with Production Operators to interpret test results and drive continuous quality improvement and efficiency.
• Manage and maintain adequate laboratory supplies, proactively communicating needs to Quality Management.
• Perform all assigned tests with precision and accuracy, adhering to approved MAPF SOPs and established schedules.
• Partner effectively with the Operations team on any special testing requests or investigations.
• Ensure all test data is entered promptly and accurately into our systems.
• Collect all necessary samples for projects and studies in a timely manner.
• Expertly probe and collect representative samples of bulk and micro ingredients.
• Perform water activity testing on finished products according to established Quality Assurance standards and frequencies.
• Conduct NIR analysis on all incoming animal protein meals to verify quality.
• Perform mycotoxin testing on incoming grains and finished products as required.
• Analyze and prepare finished product composite samples in strict accordance with MAPF SOPs.
• Execute peroxide value and moisture content testing following MAPF SOPs.
• Perform water activity testing on all finished product composite samples.
• Immediately escalate any quality control results that fall outside acceptable limits to Quality Management.
• Be available for on-call duties and willing to work extended hours when necessary.
• Demonstrate flexibility in working night shifts and adapting to varying work schedules.
• Champion a culture of safety and environmental responsibility within the team.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment.
• Undertake other duties as assigned to support the Quality team.

What You'll Bring:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Basic troubleshooting skills and prior experience in an analytical role are a plus.
• Previous experience with NIR and Mycotoxin testing is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and a strong aptitude for learning new software applications.
• Exceptional organizational, time management, and communication skills, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This role requires a self-motivated individual with a strong grasp of company policy and a commitment to safety. You will work in both a laboratory setting, utilizing various analytical instruments and handling chemical reagents, and within the plant environment, which may involve exposure to noise, heat, dust, moving machinery, and chemicals.

Physical demands of the role include:

• Occasional lifting of up to 60 pounds.
• Regular climbing of stairs and ladders.
• Occasional operation of flow valves.
• Occasional bending, twisting, and turning while lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Extended periods of sitting for data entry (over 1 hour).
• Regular walking throughout the facility (up to 2 or more miles daily).
• Performing tasks involving pushing (e.g., brooms, shovels).
• Working at various heights, in confined spaces, and in temperatures ranging from 0 to over 100°F.
• Extended periods of standing.
• Consistent use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Use of hand and power tools as needed.