Quality Assurance Technician I – Howard, PA (Onsite)

Summary: Niagara Bottling is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician I to join their team in Howard, PA. The role involves ensuring quality standards in the laboratory by performing microbiological testing, maintaining supplies, and coordinating sample processing. The technician will work closely with the laboratory team to uphold safety and compliance in their testing procedures. Responsibilities: - Performs routine in-house microbiological testing to ensure that source and product quality meets specification. Actively communicates with manager regarding out-of-specification, out-of-trend, and investigation results - Performs calibration, verifications, equipment/media checks per SOP - Adheres to all laboratory safety requirements. Maintains basic knowledge of chemical safety - Maintains a clean and safe environment on a daily basis. Responsible for general housekeeping of the laboratory. Upholds timeframe sample retention and documents sample destruction - Schedules sampling for Microbiological laboratory testing programs. Communicates with the plants and laboratory team to ensure that samples are submitted on time, logged in properly, results are entered/communicated, and reports are stored in the designated location. This includes but is not limited to the following: - Schedules sampling and provides chain of custody to clients for routine testing - Creates shipping labels and/or arranges for courier services, as needed - Receives and signs for packages - Maintains log of tracking information for items received and sent out - Ensures that items receives matches with Chain of Custody (COC) or Packing Slips - Documents receiving conditions on COC and in data system - Files COC and or Packing Slips in designated location - Notifies sampler of receiving issues (i.e. over temperature, insufficient volume, etc.) - Requests and documents resampling, if required - Organizes samples based on priority and testing requirements - Labels samples for testing, as needed - Provides status and turnaround time for routine in-house and external lab tests - Maintains laboratory supplies and chemical inventory, facility maintenance requests, routine testing reports, data summaries, and other administrative tasks, as assigned - Orders and maintains inventory of laboratory supplies and chemicals, and schedules preventive maintenance and service for equipment, as instructed - Enters data from laboratory reports into the in-house data management system. Saves laboratory reports in designated location. Elevates out-of-specification results to laboratory manager and appropriate personnel in a timely manner - Assists with putting together documents required for certification and reporting, as instructed - Assists with review of documentation and testing pre-requisites required - Assists with other projects, as assigned Required Qualifications: - 0 Years – Experience in Science or similar manufacturing environment - 0 Years – Experience in Laboratory - 0 Years – Experience managing people/projects - High School Diploma Preferred Qualifications: - 2 Years– Experience in Microbiology or similar manufacturing environment - 2 Years – Experience working in Laboratory - 2 Years – Experience managing people/projects - 4 credit hours in microbiology - Associate's Degree in Food Safety, Biology and/or Microbiology or other related field and at least 4 credit hours in microbiology Required Skills: Microbiological testing, NELAP certification, Laboratory safety, Chemical safety, Sample handling, Data management systems, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office Benefits: Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time, Paid parental and caregiver leaves, Medical, including virtual care options, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with company match, Health Savings Account with company match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members, Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements, Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan, Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc., Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities