Quality Lab Specialist

Description

Location: Southern Mill – Athens, Ga Job Family: Specialist

Reports To: Quality Lab Manager Exemption: Exempt

Position Purpose: The Lab Specialist is responsible for conducting various types of testing, including analytical, sensory, and microbiology, to ensure product quality. This position plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of products through diligent testing and collaboration with various departments.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Analytical Testing:
• Conduct routine analytical tests on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
• Record and interpret test results accurately, ensuring compliance with established quality standards.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment to ensure precise measurements.
• Sensory Testing:
• Participate in sensory evaluation panels to assess the taste, smell, and appearance of products.
• Document sensory results and provide feedback to the production team to maintain product consistency.
• Inventories of all sensory testing reagents are monitored, new reagents are made when necessary, and ordering needs are communicated
• Microbiology Testing:
• Perform microbiological tests to identify and quantify microbial presence in samples.
• Prepare culture media, incubate samples, and interpret microbiological data.
• Ensure aseptic techniques and laboratory safety protocols are followed.
• Inter-Department Support:
• Collaborate with production departments to provide quality-related support.
• Assist in troubleshooting quality issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to relevant teams effectively.
• Enrichment:
• Participate in training sessions and workshops to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Stay updated with industry trends, new testing methods, and quality standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the quality lab.
• Quality Department Support:
• Assist in maintaining accurate and organized laboratory records and documentation.
• Support the quality department in various administrative tasks, such as preparing reports and maintaining inventory.
• Ensure compliance with all quality assurance procedures and regulatory requirements.
  
  

Requirements

• A general scientific background with some laboratory experience
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a cellar or production role within the beverage industry preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Attention to detail, with a focus on maintaining product quality and consistency.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and safety standards in beverage production.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to

successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to

Enable Individuals With Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions.

The position involves working in a brewery environment where noise levels can reach 80-90 dB in some areas. Employees will work around high voltage, flame, hot water, steam, hazardous materials, and moving mechanical parts. The role also includes working on wet floors and with wet equipment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to frequently sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and climb.
• Ability to frequently talk, hear, and smell.
• Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 lbs.
• Ability to frequently reach with hands and arms. Use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work is primarily performed in a laboratory setting, with frequent trips to operational areas required.
  
  

Disclaimer

The job description provided here is intended to outline the general nature and key responsibilities of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks, duties, and responsibilities that the employee may be required to perform. The employee may be asked to perform other duties as required. Furthermore, the duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time, with or without notice, based on the needs of the organization.