Fresh Fruit Lab Technician - Shift Flex

Description

Location: Visalia 12310 Avenue 368 | Visalia | CA | 93291

Hourly Rate: $21.99 (Overtime and weekends may be required)

Shift:  1st Shift 6am - 2:30pm

Job Summary

The Fresh Fruit Lab Technician is the primary person responsible for the testing of incoming fresh fruit through in-process testing to the integrity of the final product. Additionally, the Fresh Fruit Lab Technician may fill in for the Peel Technician throughout the shift.  The QA Fresh Fruit Lab Technician reports to the Quality Assurance Supervisor. The Fresh Fruit Lab Technician may work any shift.

Primary Responsibilities

• Food Safety is the responsibility of all Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees. All Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees must be aware of CCPs in their area and how to document them appropriately.  All staff must report food safety and quality problems to their immediate supervisor in charge during their shift.
• Clean the fruit test extractor daily.
• Extract and analyze fresh fruit samples and in a timely manner.
• Analyze oil content using Berkel machine.
• Perform oil efficiency testing in for feed, separator, and crème tanks.
• Input data into the Portal/CitrOS/Sage with accuracy and speed.
• Calibrate all laboratory equipment at the beginning of each shift.
• Perform routine analytical tests for citric acid, brix, acidity, pH, coarse pulp, defects, and oil.
• Perform chemical concentration level testing on PAA and water chlorine.
• Pull samples from tanks and silos as directed.
• Pull aseptic micro samples and perform product testing for pulp production lots.
• Perform plantwide GMP audit during production run.
• Participate in plantwide food safety culture audit.
• Perform pre-operational audits as required, including Hygiena swabs.
• Participate in all performance evaluation programs such as cross checks and JBT Co-Op samples.
• Sample all outgoing peel trucks and analyze moisture content in a timely manner.
• Communicate wet peel loads and/or pulp collection issues to production team to ensure corrective action.
• Follow all safety rules and practices to include the wearing of all essential personal protective equipment.
• Follow all personal hygiene and food safety practices.
• Report non-standard conditions to the Lead or QA Supervisor immediately.
• Act professionally toward co-workers, customers, vendors or other visitors to the plant.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance, consistent punctuality and a positive attitude.

• Perform other duties as assigned and required.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• One (1) year experience in a food processing environment.
• High school graduate; post high school graduate preferred. Class work in biology, chemistry preferred.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products:  Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and large ERP applications.
• Ability to work successfully in a team involvement environment is a must.

• Ability to operate laboratory equipment such as:  CEM Moisture machine, autorefractometer, auto titrator, and pH meter.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to meet flexible and changing priorities and the ability to work under pressure is a must.  Regularly required to sit, stand, reach and move about a laboratory and production facilities in normal ambient temperatures. Some lifting of up to 30 lbs. may be required.  50% walking, climbing stairs and ladders in a plant environment; 50% normal office environment at a desk or working at a computer terminal. 
• 30% Lifting fruit bins of 30lbs.
• 5% Cleaning of the extractor.
• 30% Routine Laboratory analysis.
• 20% Computer data entry.
• 15% Walking, auditing facility.

Qualifications

Salary : $22