Quality Lab Technician - 2nd shift

Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than two decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and exceptional service in supplying pistachio and almond products to major retail and wholesale clients domestically and internationally. Nichols Farms maintains a state-of-the-art processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team in their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms possesses a strong employee-oriented environment dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision supports a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Quality Control Technician assists the Quality Leads, Supervisor and Manager in the Quality Department daily. The Quality Department ensures that employee practices are met according to SOP'S. Quality monitors and samples products, and packaging from the transfer of raw product to the plant during harvest to the end when product is at its final stage. Quality performs necessary testing, lab testing, and inspections on machinery, equipment, and other items according to specifications and in order to protect product and other food contact. The Quality Department performs such tasks and methods in compliance with GMP, FDA, SQF, and Company Quality Standards. The Quality Control Technician is a hands-on position which requires; working on weekly/daily/hourly tasks and assigned tasks from Quality Department Supervisor/Manager and Leads. In the absence of the Quality Lead, the Quality Control Technician will step in to make sure the department runs smoothly.

Safety Ability:

Promote a "safety first" culture by following all safety rules (including Lockout/Tag out, Confined Space, Fall Protection and Hazard Communication). Report all near misses, Injuries, and documentation of incidents to Shift Supervisor/Production Supervisor/Leads

Quality Ability:

Perform all duties in accordance with Quality and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) established company policies and procedures.

Continuous Improvement: Responsible for Active participation in continuous improvement teams and processes

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the Quality Leads/Supervisor/Manager.
• Know how to identify sections of the SDS and know the locations of the SDS Binders.
• Collect samples, swabs, and stay on task to complete and document assigned quality/food safety checks.
• Follows procedures in handling and documentation of swabs and taking samples to the Quality Lab.
• Knowledge of containers, bags, color coordinated bags for use for Organic Almonds and Pistachio sampling or other.
• Ability to distinguish damaged, defective, poor-quality kernels and in-shell products and almond for both roasted and raw.
• Ability to accurately transcribe data into log sheets, computers, or tablets.
• Trained in GMPs, SSOPS, HACCP HAZ COM, Blood Borne Pathogens or other programs as needed.
• Trained and able to use scales, computers, tablets, moisture analyzers and salt meters and other equipment needed to complete assigned tasks.
• Trained and able to analyze bins for quality and check pack lines or related machinery to provide quality standards.
• Selects products for tests at different stages in production processes, and tests products for variety of qualities.
• Ability to communicate data to other departments and leads/supervisor/manager as needed.
• Follows company policies and communicates professionally and respectfully to everyone.
• Report all near misses, property damage, injuries, and completes documentation to appropriate parties.
• Participates in tailgate discussions.
• Provide assistance or relief of breaks or absence of fellow team members.
• Perform housekeeping, including organizing and sweeping.
• Follow Quality schedule and software documentation system to determine material requirements and movements.
• Record movements of supplies and materials in company logs.
• Maintain quality standards.
• Reports any major product discrepancies to Lead, Supervisor or Manager.
• Follows and complies with established procedures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Safety awareness when working around a forklift.
• Safely practice Confined Space requirements.
• Perform other job duties and tasks as assigned by management.

POSITION REQUIREMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Preferably 1 year of experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Previous Quality experience in a production environment preferred.
• Mathematical aptitude and knowledge and use of the metric measurements system.
• Position requires standing, sitting, and walking on a regular basis for prolonged periods, sit and stop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Ability to take samples from Confined Spaces.
• Ability to work in noise driven areas and wear ear protection.
• Must have manual dexterity to sort out/pack product.
• Ability to work any day and/or shift including weekends and holidays.
• Team player and motivational abilities.
• Self-starter requiring limited supervision and desire to work and promote positive work area.
• Strong communication skills.
• Preferably Bilingual English-Spanish but not required.
• Near vison-ability to see details at close range.
• Ability to continuously use trunk strength-abdominal and lower back to support repeated bodily movement.
• Ability to wear all PPE required.
• Ability to push/pull/lift 25 lbs.

JOB ATTRIBUTES:

• Safety Awareness: Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Leadership: Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions
• Time Management: Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to change in the workplace. Capable of functioning in a fast-paced entrepreneurial setting.
• Resource Management (People & Equipment) - Ability to obtain and appropriate the proper usage of equipment, facilities, materials, as well as personnel.
• Prioritization: Ability to quickly prioritize among numerous pressing tasks and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Communication: Good verbal and written skills.
• Interpersonal: Ability to effectively build working relationships
• Team Involvement: Works effectively with teams and work groups. Actively participates in problem solving and interacts with team and work groups to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Detail-oriented: Attention to detail, and ability to prioritize.
• Continuous Improvement: Active participant in continuous improvement initiatives and goals. Seeks opportunities to improve self and makes recommendations for improvements.
• Critical Thinking: Use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weakness of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Learning: Understanding of new information and ask questions to clarify understanding.
• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand for periods of time at workstation, climb stairs, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as designated by the company.

The majority of the role is performed in a manufacturing environment which may include high levels of noise. Working conditions can include extreme cold, heat, or humidity. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V