Lab Food Safety Technician (Nights)

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

 

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Typical Day

The Food Safety Technician is responsible for the accurate performance of gathering samples in accordance with HCC procedures for all microbiological and chemical tests surrounding environmental monitoring and Food Safety programs.

Job Responsibilities

• Ensure prompt transmission of accurate data and information to the plant and Food Safety staff regarding trends, concerns and plant observations.
• Conduct audits and spot checks as assigned along with regularly scheduled monitoring of chemical handling/receiving, Hygiene zone, HACCP CCP Verifications, GMP checks, equipment inspections, pest control and audit finding verifications.
• In the event that the Food Safety Technician is unable to perform their food safety duties, the Food Safety Supervisor will perform the duties.
• Assist with assigned projects and responsibilities as need.
• Work well with minimal supervision
• Must be able to follow detailed instructions.
• Be able to effectively communicate with all departments
• Must be able to multi-task and organize priorities
• Display critical thinking and trouble shooting skills
• Will be expected to report results
• Enter test results into the database, and generate reports.
• Comply with all internal and external lab proficiency test.
• Demonstrates proficiency on position specific needs and analysis requirements
• Demonstrates compliance of the proficiency tests by generating results that consistently fall within 2 z-scores.
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Manage and maintain confidential information
• Establish effective working relationships with internal customers
• Maintain professional standards and demonstrate sound judgment during peaks periods of activity
• Read, study, understand and implement published lab procedures and tasks.
• As tasks are introduced, lab staff may be asked to take a written procedure, order their own supplies, and start performing the testing with little input.
• Manage and maintain confidential information
• Ensure CLEAN reports (environmental) are executed from opening to closure.
• Oversee Environmental Disruption Reports and Food Safety Permits through closure.
• Promote and maintain a clean and organized laboratory by following good laboratory practices, to reduce the risk of contamination.
• Complete daily MSS cleaning schedule for the lab, instruments and utensils.
• Flexibility to prioritize and organize task in order to complete special projects.
• Demonstrate proficiency in SAP and Sample 6
• Flexibility to prioritize and organize task in order to complete special projects.
• Compete annual OSHA required safety training.
• Complete annual Company safety training program(s).
• Complete annual Food Safety overview training.
• Active participation and ownership in your training and development program and associated activities, classes and events, which will be held before, during, after shifts and during scheduled days off.
• Help coach and train teammates and participate in on the job, buddy training.
• Place high priority on food safety and sanitation by understanding and executing HCC’s food safety and sanitation policies and procedures.
• Hold self and others accountable to HCC’s food safety & sanitation guidelines and policies by communicating any food safety incident, observation, or opportunity to your leadership team or teammates.
• Participate in food safety and sanitation root cause analysis and improvement activities when required.
• Prioritize safety above all other job duties by having a safety first approach at all times.
• Report any safety issues, observations, opportunities to your teams and follow up.
• Read, study, understand and implement published lab procedures and tasks.
• Participate in departmental safety teams.
• Promote Company Culture