Laboratory Technician Lead- Split Shift/3rd

Headquartered in Cordova, TN, Stratas Foods is a 50/50 joint venture formed in October 2008 between ACH Food Companies and Archer Daniels Midland Company. Stratas Foods is built on the combined strengths and expertise of these two great parent companies, developed over more than 200 years of combined experience. Stratas will continue to build on this foundation of excellence by providing value-added, branded, and custom-formulated fats and oils solutions to the food service, food ingredient, and retail sectors. At Stratas Foods, we are committed to being the most valued supplier of fats, oils, dressings, mayonnaise, and salad dressings to the private label retail bottled oils market in the United States.

Manufacturing facilities are located in Dallas and Houston, TX; Decatur and Quincy, IL; Englewood and Hillside, NJ; Fresno, CA; Nashville, TN; and Valdosta, GA. Corporate offices are located in Memphis, TN. We are committed to maintaining a progressive workplace by utilizing the ideas, skills, and talents of all our employees. We strive to make Stratas Foods a great place to work and are building a team capable of meeting our business goals.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide day-to-day leadership and direction for Quality Assurance activities on the assigned shift(s). The QA Lead serves as a key resource for the QA team, coordinating priorities and activities to ensure testing, documentation, inspections, and quality requirements are completed accurately, effectively, and efficiently. The QA Lead provides technical guidance and support to QA technicians, helps identify and address quality issues, and works closely with Operations to communicate results, determine appropriate next steps, and support timely resolution of quality concerns. This position is also responsible for ensuring routine analysis of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products, while ensuring effective communication and continuity of quality activities from shift to shift.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1.Provide leadership and direction to QA technicians on assigned shift
2.Must be able to perform all duties of a Laboratory Technician III
3.Troubleshoot and repair laboratory equipment. Notify QA Manager/ Supervisor when equipment needs to be serviced. Maintain calibration / service log.
4.Understand and navigate M3 to approve and release product or place items on hold
5.Assist with product disposition recommendations and provide appropriate escalation to QA Management.
6.Conduct shift meetings with technicians
7.Provide continuous communication with operations on status of samples/ tanks and products
8.Provide QA Supervisor and Manager a daily report on issues or concerns that occurred on shift
9.Participate in monthly audits and inspections
10.Have continued presence on the production floor
11.Guide technicians on shift to maximize efficiencies and performance
12.Train new technicians and verify competence
11.Conduct and coordinate investigations into quality or food safety issues
12.Perform special testing / projects when requested by management.

Competencies

1.Problem Solving– Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, Gather and analyzes information skillfully
2.Technical Skills - Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills, Pursues training and development opportunities, Shares expertise with others
3.Initiative – Volunteers readily, Seeks increased responsibilities, Asks for and offers help when needed
4.Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Applies feedback to improve performance responsibilities and the number of direct reports.

Education: High School diploma is required with desired experience. Bachelor’s Degree is preferred in food science, chemistry, biology; or relevant experience.

Related Experience: Experience with lab and/or quality assurance in food packaging is required. Three to five years of supervisory/leadership experience is required.

Equipment/Software Skills: Must be PC literate with working knowledge of MS Office, and Outlook.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations: PCQI certification is preferred.

Physical: This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb stairs, bend, kneel, walk and stand for extended periods, work in confined spaces, and work at heights all within a manufacturing environment.  Perform work in indoor and outdoor environments, including exposure to noise, dust, weather, and potential hazards

Sensory: Good Listening Skills; Public speaking abilities to communicate with both hourly and salaried personnel. Must possess appropriate sensory awareness (sight, hearing, touch, etc.) to respond to plant conditions, including alarms and environmental changes.

Mental Reasoning: Must be able to perform root cause analysis and corrective action. Must be able to continuously learn and adapt to changes in the overall business relative to SMOs and DSMs.

Must consent and pass background check and drug screen.

Benefits - Medical/Dental

Salary Range $49,278 -$61,581

Full Time Employee Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision

Stratas Foods is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee in any manner prohibited by law, including but not limited to, on the basis of race or color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, national origin/ancestry, mental or physical disability, family status/marital status, military/veteran status, and any other legally protected status.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision-The Employer will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Employer’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Stratas Foods Applicant Request for Accommodation Form: https://www.stratasfoods.com/compliance

Stratas Foods California Privacy Rights Act Policy: https://www.stratasfoods.com/compliance