Job Description

POSITION:                            Quality Control Technician – Swing Shift

WORK WEEK:                      4x10 Alternative Schedule

HOURS:                                3:30pm – 1:30am

PAY RANGE:                        $22.00 - $26.00/hr.

SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL         $1.00/hr.                  

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Quality Control Technician position is responsible for performing routine tasks and accurate laboratory analysis, to ensure the highest quality of our bottled wines. With supervision, this position will be responsible for analyzing finished wine in preparation for bottling and perform bottling line checks. Quality Control Technicians will also help the Enology lab with unfinished wines when time permits and is required to help during harvest. This position is on a 4x10 alternative schedule but may require occasional schedule changes. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Maintain daily records of calibrations and standardizations of lab equipment and reagents
• Ensure precise and timely startup and/or shutdown of lab equipment. 
• Prepare ready to bottle wine tanks for approval and finished bottle analysis, while ensuring accurate results
• Inspect for proper function of all production line and bottling techniques
• Perform routinely scheduled bottling line audits including but not limited to:
  1. Verify correct materials are brought to line
  2. Ensure wine is within Winemaker and TTB specifications
  3. Inspect bottling line area for cleanliness 
  4. Monitor wine temperature and oxygen from tank to bottle 
  5. Check the vacuum in the bottle, fill levels and headspace, closure placement and integrity, and removal torques 
  6. Inspect incoming glass, label placement, case and pallet labels, weights, and pallet formations, amongst other packaging checks
• Microbiology monitoring including swabbing and finished bottle plating
• Using Aseptic techniques, creating microbiology plates to aid in daily monitoring
• Maintain the necessary documentation for line checks with detailed records
• Compile inspection records and generates Non-Conforming Product reports when necessary
• Perform audits of finished goods and record results of inspections
• Maintain and organize bottle library
• May assist other departments and suppliers with special projects and problem resolution
• Adheres to applicable procedures as they relate to Quality Control Department
• Helps with rework projects 
• Ability to help laboratory during harvest with sample pulling and accurately preform and report all analyses for review in accordance with SOPs
• Ability to help lab with one or more trials to ensure wine quality or readiness

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: BS in related field preferred or college level courses in food science and/or chemistry 
• Experience: Two or more years working in a lab environment or beverage and food production
• Must be able to read and write English and have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of laboratory analysis and methodology
• Understanding of GMPs and SDS
• Ability to work with Microsoft Office (Winemaker Data Base knowledge is a plus)
• Must be quality focused, detail oriented, and reliable
• Must be team oriented and willing to assist others
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Ability to prioritize activities on an ongoing basis depending on changing conditions
• Valid CA Driver’s License and must be insurable by the company’s insurance provider
•  Must be flexible with occasional schedule changes

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The lab contains hazardous chemicals. The cellar, bottling line, and barrel warehouse present a challenging environment: hot and cold, wet, slippery, and often noisy. Must be able to walk up and down stairs, ladders, and mobile platforms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time, walk, bend twist, and be able to lift and carry up to 55 lbs. Must adhere to all PPE requirements.