Senior Technician, R&D

Senior Technician 

Job Description 

Under the direction and supervision of the SBM Program Lead with dotted line support from the SBM Quality Manager, the Glenview KHMS Technician is responsible for the day-to-day execution of Small Batch Manufacturing and KHMS activities listed below. In addition to the following, employees are responsible for understanding the relevance and importance of the individual’s activities in contributing to food safety, and reporting situations that may impact food.  

Statement of the Job: 

Be able to perform Small Batch Manufacturing and KHMS technician duties in a way that is consistent with plant policies and standards.  The employee must have the following qualifications: 

• Support and promote quality processes and implementation of new or improved quality programs.  

• Interface with plant manufacturing personnel as needed including coordinating and assisting in Quality and Sanitation initiatives within the facility. 

• Conduct floor audits and provide feedback to employees and management 

• Support all areas of the quality and food safety program duties as needed including but not limited to microbiology testing, swabbing, administrator, floor auditors, receiving quality, and hold and release.  

• Help maintain timeline for internal auditing program (Performance Monitoring) including coordination corrective actions. 

• Support site during external 3rd party audits as required.  

• Support execution of KHMS program implementation across cross-functional areas within SBM.  

• Support execution of site Food Safety Quality Program and HACCP programs.  

• Support document control measures and backing up document control owner.  

• Support quality manager with tracking, directing, and monitoring of Corrective Actions and Preventatives Actions completion. 

• Provide support in any consumer complaint investigation and tracking.  

• Manage all lab tasks for SBM. Examples include, but not limited to: Micro and Pathogen sample collection of equipment, touch plate, GMP categories, water samples, air samples, clean trace swabs.  

• Must learn and be proficient in performing testing in laboratory settings. Examples include, but not limited to: Fat, protein, moisture, and salt testing; Micro plating and reading via multiple AOAC approved methods, sterilization of lab equipment, and sterilization of disposed material.  

• Must be able to establish proper control procedures and audit proper use of equipment- establish preventative maintenance program for testing equipment and coordinate correction of laboratory testing issues.  

• Develop and accurately maintain records of results from various categories of testing and be confident in communicating findings and escalating serious findings and trends.  

• Participate in the logistical planning needed to fulfill regulator and internal protocol requirements relating to the collection of different type of samples for verifying timelines (example: Daily – Annual).  

• Evaluate equipment by performing reference control check samples.  

• Maintain inventory of supplies in the SBM lab and communicate orders to relevant people.  

• Conduct process audit and work on special projects when assigned.  

• Partner with quality, sanitation, developers, other pilot plant technicians, and maintenance personnel on critical work needs. 

• Complete required training on production equipment, processes, sanitation, and food safety and quality requirements.  

• This individual must possess the ability to monitor and analyze trend data and effectively communicate these finding to management by leading regular meetings.  

Responsibilities: 

The employee is responsible for the following duties: 

• Perform the duties of SBM KHMS technician consistent with planned policies and standards with respect to product quality, GMPs, and safety.  

• Responsible for managing the upkeep and safe operation of all necessary SBM lab and calibration equipment.   

• Responsible for reporting trouble calls and supporting equipment reviews.   

• Other duties as assigned by the SBM Program Lead, SBM Quality Manager, and/or Pilot Plant Quality and Sanitation Program Manager, which may include assignments to other departments or areas of the pilot plants or Morton Grove plant for indefinite periods of time.  

• Responsible for communicating project status to department and cross-functional employees.  

• Responsible for time management and project deadlines. 

• Responsible for balancing multiple project priorities and accommodating requests or changes in schedule.  

• Responsible for supporting specific quality program requirements when Quality Manager is out of office, including but not limited to hold and release, incoming ingredient reviews, and document sign-offs.  

Employees will be trained in this position. The employee must have the experience required in the qualifications above.  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or equivalent degree preferred  

• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in quality and/or technical leadership role or minimum 2 years of experience in operations / quality / technical (R&D) 

• Excellent Communication Skills (written, verbal, and presentation) 

• Knowledge in HACCP, Microbiology, Sanitation, Chemical Safety, Pest Control, and Quality Systems.  

• Understand and align with government regulations relating to OSHA, FDA, UDA, and EPA 

• Must be able to work independently without supervision. 

• Strong leadership, technical, communication, and organizational skills required along with attention to detail.  

• Computer Skills  

• Must have the ability to learn additional EAM and purchase order system requirements as system progresses or applications change. 

• Ability to use spreadsheets, databases (e.g. Microsoft, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and analytical tools 

Location: Glenview R&D Center