Job Description

At Bluegrass Ingredients, we believe exceptional products start with exceptional people. As a growing ingredient manufacturer, we are building a team of agile thinkers, problem solvers, and doers who take pride in quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

We are committed to creating an environment where employees feel supported and valued. If you are looking for a company where your work matters, Bluegrass Ingredients may be the right place for you.

POSITION:  Lab Technician (Hourly)
CLASSIFICATION: Hourly Non-Exempt
WORKING HOURS: Full Time, Shifts may vary, Overtime as needed

About the Role
The R&D Lab Technician may be required to work on one or more of the following areas, including but not limited to, pilot plant operation, sample preparation and dispatch, assisting Scientists in experimentation and routine tasks as needed, supporting cross-functional colleagues as directed, administrative activities as needed, third-party coordination e.g., shippers, vendors, etc., amongst other duties as directed by R&D leadership. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Responsible for maintenance, operation and sanitation of Pilot Dryer, all Pilot Lab equipment and Pilot Lab facility.
   1. This will include cleaning and sanitizing equipment: rinsing, disassembly of equipment, physical cleaning using sanitizing solutions and approved cleaning methods.
   2. Responsible for maintaining equipment, keeping equipment clean and Pilot Plant organized. Keep some stock parts for equipment routinely needed.
2. Responsible for running product trials on Pilot Dryer, following make sheet instructions, recording issues, all test parameters on make sheets. This will include, but not limited to, weighing out material, adjusting solids, heating to pasteurization temperatures, homogenizing and operating high pressure pump.
3. Operate small roller dryer, dry blender and sieve: monitoring temperatures, cohesion, product moisture.
4. Maintain organized records of retained material, make sheets and dryer hours.
5. Use ATP swabs to check equipment sanitation as needed.
6. Must communicate all issues, successes and parameters of pilot trials and experiments.
7. Support R&D development efforts creating samples as directed by Technical Director or Food Scientist.
8. Assist in creating and shipping samples as needed.
9. Set and participate in twice weekly production sample sensory evaluation.
10. Maintain retain sample inventory and monitor shelf-life schedule.
11. Conduct laboratory testing as directed by Technical Director and/or Food Scientist
12. Comply with plant regulations: GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices), safety rules and work rules and loss control procedures.
13. Perform any and all duties as assigned by supervisor.
    
    ACCOUNTABILITY: In the absence of the R&D Technician, the Technical Manager or Food Scientist will be responsible for assigning another trained operator to do this job.
    
    REQUIREMENTS:

1. High School Diploma/GED
2. 0-3 years experience
3. Must be neat and clean and able to comply with plant policy and regulations, including Good Manufacturing Practices, safety, work, and loss prevention procedures.
4. Must be punctual
5. Must have good manual dexterity
6. Must present a positive attitude toward co-workers and job

 OTHER PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS:
 
Physical Demands: Standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, kneeling, reaching, twisting, lifting, climbing ladders and stairs, and carrying up to 85 pounds.
 
 Environmental Demands: Noise levels above 85 DBA. Hot and cold working conditions.
 
Job Hazards: Caustics, acids, chlorine, ammonia, high pressure steam and water, hot equipment, trucks fork lifts, conveyers, mechanical hazards, slick or wet floors, confined space entry, elevated work areas on platforms, and equipment above 10 feet.
 
Other Job Requirements: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He/she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by management.

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