Quality Assurance Technician I - Howard, PA (Onsite)

At Niagara, we're looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

The Quality Assurance Technician I ensures that all administrative tasks are completed in a timely manner, and that any non-compliances are elevated appropriately. The primary job responsibilities include receiving, processing, and microbiological testing for a NELAP (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program) certified laboratory. This includes, but is not limited to, coordinating samples for testing, sample log in and organization, source and product testing, maintaining inventory and housekeeping, and data entry/review. This position works onsite, primarily in the laboratory within QA, but also works closely with the Technicians, and Laboratory Manager.

Essential Functions

• 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.
• Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • 0 Years - Experience in Science or similar manufacturing environment
  • 0 Years - Experience in Laboratory
  • 0 Years - Experience managing people/projects

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• 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

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and effective organization skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to multi-task and handle a large volume of work.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory and chemical safety.
• Performs work well under minimal supervision.
• Handles basic issues and problems per protocol, and elevates effectively.
• Ability to work well in both independent and collaborative group environments.
• Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Teams, Office and data management systems.

This position embodies the values of Niagara's LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:

• Lead Like an Owner
  • Makes safety the number one priority
  • Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately
  • Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals
  • Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly
  • Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively
  • Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers

• InnovACT
  • Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products
  • Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances
  • Increases performance through greater efficiency
• Find a Way
  • Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts
  • Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions
  • Seeks solutions rather than placing blame
• Empowered to be Great
  • Consistently looks for ways to improve one's self through growth and development opportunities
  • Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across
  • Communicates effectively to manage expectations

Education

• Minimum Required:
  • High School Diploma

• Preferred:
  • Associate's Degree in Food Safety, Biology and/or Microbiology or other related field and at least 4 credit hours in microbiology.

Certification/License:

• Required: N/A
• Preferred: N/A

Foreign Language

• Required: None Required
• Preferred: None Required

Typical Compensation Range

Benefits

Our Total Rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:

Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.

• 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 fertilitybenefits 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
• And more!

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

* *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.

Any employment agency, person or entity that submits a resume into this career site or to a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of Niagara Bottling, LLC. Niagara Bottling, LLC will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.

Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit resume to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit resume into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.