QA Technician III - Microbiologist

The French's Food Company , a subsidiary of McCormick & Company, Inc. and a global leader in flavor is seeking a full-time QA Technician III - Microbiologist   for the plant located in  Springfield, MO . This person will report to the QA Manager.   With more than $500 million in annual sales, our company has been crafting trusted foods using simple ingredients of the highest quality.  From French's Classic Yellow Mustard, long America's top-selling mustard, to its most recent innovations, such as Franks Red Hot, the company has a history rich with delicious creations made from what today would be considered “clean, simple ingredients.”  To learn more please visit us at  www.frenchs.com .   Shift: Tuesday - Saturday 8AM-4:30PM POSITION OVERVIEW:   Under the general direction of the Quality Team Manager, the QA Lab Technician III – Microbiologist will work in a High-Performance Organization Operating Model environment performing QA microbiological functions. This includes, but is not limited to, finished good material testing, plant environmental and hygiene swab testing, COA generation, and any other duties as assigned.     RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs microbiological analysis of finished products as required by SAP inspection plans.  Perform testing on plant environmental (pathogen) and hygiene swab/sponge testing per established procedures.  Use a variety of test methods, procedures, and instrumentation (i.e., agar plates & Petrifilm plates (APC, Y&M, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Coliform, EB, Incubators), VIDAS, Autoclaves, etc.) Prepare media (agars and broths) for microbiological testing, including testing pH of media. Examine & test samples and accurately record results on paper, logbooks, and computer entry (i.e., SAP, SharePoint, Neogen Analytics etc.) Generate Certificate of Analyses (COA’s) for industrial customer based on shipped requests from the French’s Logistics Center (LC). Interpreting data and aid in direction to the manufacturing group to ensure products meet established specifications. Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment. Participate in and achieve acceptable results in proficiency testing event(s). Perform Lab maintenance and general cleaning. Back up as QA Analytical Technician, performing analytical testing of raw and finished good products, as needed

Use a variety of test methods, procedures, and instrumentation (i.e., titrator, pH meter, scale, viscometer, HPLC, Moisture analyzer etc.)

Coordinate timely quarantine and issuing of Quality Notification for finished goods and/or supplier issues. Communicate test results, discuss performance metrics as they relate to Quality, and work collaboratively with various levels of Operations to correct problems and improve process. Prepare and send out finished good product for additional pathogen testing to the 3rd party lab for analysis and reporting. Partnering with operations teams to prevent production stoppages. Aid in data review and trending of quality programs, as needed (i.e., Go For Quality) Partner with site Microbiologist to review and revise technical methods, as needed. Involvement in cross-functional Production/ Maintenance/Materials Management team meeting, as needed Participate in the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Audit team and complete assigned monthly audits on the plant floor/ production areas. Provide MAC (Manufacturing Analysis Costing) support as directed by Quality Team Manager/ QA Crew Lead/ Quality Engineer Complete assigned shift, daily and weekly tasks, as assigned (i.e., testing of plant air environmental and product contact compressed air plates, potable water sampling/testing, chiller water testing, etc.) Any/all JTE Quality, Visual Factory, and other related items Ability to work overtime on a short notice and required weekend work Ability to be flexible with shift and workday assignments to support business need requirements.