Laboratory Technician - Relief

About Us

Foremost Farms USA is one of the largest, leading dairy cooperatives in the United States and major dairy food and ingredients manufacturing business. We represent hundreds of Midwest dairy farmer members located in seven Midwest states, and we produce about 500 million pounds of cheese and 50 million pounds of butter in plants across our network every year. "We Bring Dairy to Life" in eight manufacturing plants across Wisconsin and Michigan and in our headquarters in Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin; and we're looking for employees who are innovative and aim for excellence in our wide variety of production, field and business roles. Join us!

JOB TITLE: Laboratory Technician - Relief
POSITION TYPE: Full time
CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

Shift Varies as this is a relief position.
If not acting as a relief, regular hours will be 9:00am - 5:00pm

Position Overview

The Laboratory Technician is responsible for the accurate sampling and testing of raw materials, in-process, and finished products for analytical and microbiological requirements that align with customer and company standards.

Key Accountabilities

Performs sampling and testing practices that align with our business strategy and documented laboratory procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy of results.

• Prioritizes and prepares lab samples for testing and shipment to other labs and customers.
• Prepares necessary reagents, microbial culture media, and controls according to standard formulas.
• Conducts sampling in the production environment including but not limited to environmental pathogen sponges, ATP swabs, clean equipment and operational swabs.
• Performs analytical tests and completes required documentation for samples, incoming, and finished products.
• Accurately enters test results into R12 and other utilized databases.
• Participates in Proficiency Testing program and achieves satisfactory results for analytical and microbiological samples.
• Cleans and sterilizes laboratory equipment and waste.

Achieves a culture of excellence by adhering to safety guidelines, working with integrity, and communicating effectively with the team.

• Cleans and maintains lab equipment, including recalibration of equipment.
• Assists Laboratory/Quality Control Supervisor in troubleshooting efforts with equipment.
• Follows established guidelines and criteria when performing retests.
• Complies with all company safety policies, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)s, and state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Interprets lab results and escalates out of spec or suspect results to leadership staff.
• Participates in laboratory investigations when needed.
• Facilitates training of new laboratory technicians.

This role is responsible for monitoring and/or verifying of control points and maintaining the related required documentation. For example, Critical Control Points(CCP), Preventive Controls(PC), Critical Quality Points(CQP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points(HACCP), and Safe Quality Food(SQF) plans. This is not an all-inclusive list.

Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma.
2. 0-2 years of job-related experience.
3. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
4. Able to follow instructions and procedures with a high degree of accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Associate degree or lab certification preferred.
2. Familiarity with a lab environment.
3. Understanding of electronic and computerized laboratory equipment.

Key competencies

• Facilitate trusting relationships through effective communication, follow through on commitments, resolving conflicts and recognizing the good work of others.
• Regularly challenge the status quo by identifying opportunities for improvement, challenging the current state, and understanding that change and growth are ongoing.
• Demonstrate growth-oriented qualities by asking questions, being curious open-minded, agile, learning from failures and inspiring the same in others.
• Demonstrate self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses and seeking feedback to improve.
• Communicate to share relevant information proactively and brings others along

Benefits:

Because you and your family matter, Foremost Farms offers some of the best benefits in the Fox Valley. Our comprehensive medical plan includes health, vision, dental, and prescription insurance. Employees pay less than $105/month for single coverage and less than $235/month for family coverage, with low annual deductibles ($250/$500). Other benefits include:

• Paid vacation and holidays (premium pay for holiday work)
• 401(k) with a generous company contribution
• Pension plan
• Flexible spending accountsfor medical and dependent care expenses
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Option: Get paid every day with daily pay
• Referral program
• On-the-job training
• Advancement opportunities!

Foremost Farms USA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Applicants are selected without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin or ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran/military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristic under federal, state or local law.

This job summary is intended to be brief and does not list all the duties for this position. Nothing in this job description should be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. Foremost Farms USA is an at-will employer, which means that either party is free to terminate the employment relationship at any time, without any advanced notice, for any reason or no reason

Equal Opportunity Employer

Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled are encouraged to apply.

At Foremost Farms USA, we believe that employee diversity brings strength to our organization. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disabilities, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, genetic inf.