LEAD LAB TECH

Bartow, Florida
35 - Quality Assurance
04/19/2024
Bartow Packaging Plant
Depends on Experience 
Full Time
2nd Shift 2:45pm - 11:00pm

We appreciate your interest in Peace River Citrus Products, Inc. (the “Company”). We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, the Company intends to comply fully with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. The information requested on this application will only be used for purposes consistent with those laws. 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws, it is our policy to provide reasonable accommodation upon request during the application process to eligible applicants in order that they may be given a full and fair opportunity to be considered for employment. Please inform the Company's personnel representative if you need assistance completing any forms during or in the application process, or if you need a reasonable accommodation during the interview process. 

Lead Quality Control Specialist (2nd shift 2:45pm - 11:00pm)

Peace River Citrus Products, Inc. – Clower Facility

POSITION SUMMARY:

The position ensures that product, packaging and process norms comply with quality and food safety standards for the company’s beverage base blending/packaging facility located in Bartow, FL.   Reporting to the Quality & Food Safety Manager, the position performs quality auditing functions by testing, collecting data, and analyzing findings on raw materials, in-process, and finished goods.   Another quality control specialist will back-up this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Analyze incoming ingredients, in-process, and finished products (e.g., Brix, acid, flavor, color, pulp, taste, oil, ascorbic acid, foreign material, etc.) per specifications.
  • Monitor/inspect production lines to ensure quality and package integrity are within specifications.
  • Verify accuracy of product codes, labels, cases, cartons, packages, sleeves, seals, and shrink-wrap.
  • Check fill temperatures, fill weights, and fill heights of finished product.
  • Perform complete package quality inspections as required.
  • Collect samples for quality testing.
  • Perform microbiological analysis on incoming ingredients and finished products.
  • Complete all documentation associated with quality checks.
  • Maintain accurate reports daily and file Quality and Production generated paperwork.
  • Place raw materials and finished product on hold.
  • Monitor sorting of hold product as needed.
  • Monitor all quality checks performed by production.
  • Maintain analytical equipment and perform required daily calibrations.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the use of control charts to monitor analytical equipment.
  • Prepare standard solutions and reagents.
  • Utilize proper chemical handling procedures.
  • Monitor laboratory supply inventory; notify when reordering is necessary.
  • Monitor and inspect sanitation activities.
  • Analyze CIP and acid sanitizer solutions.
  • Maintain equipment and area cleanliness to ensure compliance with all GMP standards.
  • Assist blenders as assigned by Supervisors or Team Leaders.
  • Comply with FDA, USDA, and GMP policies.  Perform all tasks in a safe manner to ensure achievement of Quality, Food Safety, and Cost objectives.  Comply with all standard operating procedures and requirements under PRCP Quality System.
  • Participate in the quality improvement process.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

LEAD DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provides direct reports with leadership, direction, and coaching to achieve work objectives and improve performance and skills.
  • Oversees duties of personnel on shift and verifies work is correctly completed.
  • Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand their duties.
  • Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching.
  • Good communicator and works with others.
  • Able to back-up QCS personnel when employees are out.
  • Verifies employee timesheets.
  • Trains new hires.  Trains employees on new and updated processes & procedures.
  • Maybe asked to represent the department in a meeting.
  •  Prepares and submits lab reports to the department manager.
  • Orders and purchases product, as directed.
  • Ensures employees are adhering to company policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school diploma or GED required. Citrus and/or laboratory experience or additional education which includes laboratory experience.   
  • Ability to read, write, speak and understand instructions given in English. 
  • Ability to work eight-hour shifts, 12 hour shifts or other work schedules as determined by business need, including overtime as required. 
  • Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks at a lab bench. 
  • Ability to detect color changes in chemical testing. 
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. 
  • Proven ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Good judgement with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
  • Comfortable and capable seeing the big picture; able to think conceptually and strategically, yet deliver measurable results as a “hands-on” contributor.
  • Commitment to excellence and high standards.
  • Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to work with all levels of management.
  • Ability to execute tasks independently, with the support of the senior manager
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
  • Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within environment of constantly changing priorities.
  • Basic computer skills and familiarity with MS Windows based applications (Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Access and Word).