Laboratory Technician

Company Description

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

Job Description

Work Schedule

This role is anticipated to work 12-hour shifts on the crew schedule with the expectation to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as scheduled.

Purpose and Objective of Position

This position ensures the quality of products manufactured and distributed by a fully integrated soybean processing facility. This role is expected to perform accurate and timely lab analysis on raw materials, in-process samples, finished products, and other samples as required to support operational decisions to maintain company standards, meet regulatory requirements, and maintain food/feed safety programs.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

Laboratory Operations:

• Perform daily testing on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products to ensure the quality meets internal and external customer specifications
• Collect and maintain retention samples appropriately according to schedule; dispose of outdated samples appropriately
• Manage multiple tasks efficiently to meet testing deadlines
• Understand Official Methods used for testing (e.g., ASTM, EN, AOCS, etc.).
• Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for testing methods.
• Accurately enter test data into Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Generate all Certificates of Analysis (COAs) on finished products and special COAs requested by commercial (e.g., transloads, commingles, 3rd party, customer requests, data sheets, etc.).
• Collect samples from operational areas as required
• Collect and ship samples as needed (e.g., referee sample, customer requests, 3rd party testing, etc.).
• Maintain a clean and organized lab environment in compliance with housekeeping standards
• Maintain skill levels as training is completed through the level progression system
• Performs basic troubleshooting and maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Accepts/carries out/completes other duties as assigned by the Laboratory Supervisor or Quality Manager. 

Process Control & Improvement:

• Analyze production and certification samples and communicate results promptly to operations personnel.
• Report out of specification or out of trend results to management
• Collect samples as required to maintain the environmental monitoring program
• Perform ATP swabs as required in operational areas to ensure cleanliness
• Participates in cross-check testing with internal and external laboratories

Quality and Food/Feed Safety Programs:

• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and Food Safety Management Systems, including FSSC 22000
• Understand and adhere to NOPA Trading Rules

Company Conformance Statements

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with co-workers, company business associates and the general public.
• Work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the company
• Operate in a fully responsible manner and comply with the law and company policy

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Basic qualifications: 

• High School Diploma
• Experience working in a laboratory or quality testing environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Education: 2-year or 4-year technical diploma or degree in chemistry, food science, biochemistry, microbiology related field
• Experience: 1-year or more of analytical chemistry laboratory experience in the food, feed, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, or related industry. Consideration will be given to laboratory experience gained through the duration of the education.
• Experience operating laboratory analytical equipment such as GC, ICP, Karl Fischer, Elementar, NIR
• Prior quality inspection or testing experience
• PCQI, HACCP, internal auditor, laboratory, chemical, or quality certifications are desirable

Knowledge/Skills/Abiliti