Quality Control Technician

Summary. Acts as a technician in the laboratory; tests, inspects, and develops testing protocols for raw materials and finished products to ensure and support the company's quality standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities. Include the following:

• Must possess knowledge and techniques of basic chemistry and laboratory equipment.
• Tests and inspects raw materials and finished products according to specifications. Investigates nonconformances
• Reports accurate and meaningful data. Ensures workflow in lab is timely and efficient, and that products on hold are followed up on in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to run all lab equipment and explain the basic theory behind it.
• Demonstrates skill in sensory analysis; displays knowledge of raw material sensory characteristics.
• Demonstrates knowledge of production processes and typical formulations. Able to work closely with production personnel to troubleshoot quality issues.
• Recommends ideas for improvement in laboratory and other areas; demonstrates the ability to think beyond day to day testing issues. Uses available time to seek out additional responsibilities and projects.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and uses these skills to effectively communicate information internally and externally.
• Provide input and technical assistance/follow-up to customer complaints and the CRM Case Management process.
• Reviews Quality Control SOPs and recommends updates.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities. This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies. To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and

analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; aligns work with strategic goals.
• Cost Consciousness - Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue; conserves organizational resources.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others;

works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.

• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes time ly decisions.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; arrivesat meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Qualifications. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience- High school diploma or GED equivalent required, science degree preferred. Minimum 6 months of laboratory experience and/or experience in flavor industry a plus.
• Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Must have ability to speak and write effectively with all employees within the organization.
• Mathematical Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent values.
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Have some ability to deal with problems that arise unexpectedly in otherwise normal operations, think of solutions, and when to ask for assistance when uncertain.
• Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; spreadsheet software and word processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations. Other than High School Diploma or GED Certificate, there are no others required to start. However, it is strongly suggested that the employee pursue additional accreditations and certificates.

Physical Demands. 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is mainly in a laboratory environment with periodic need to enter a plant environment; occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The individual must adhere to safety and GMP policies of either area when working in them.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of Lucta not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.