The role of the Laboratory Technician in the “Laboratory/ Production” unit is to collect samples from all production units and to perform standard tests in order to know if production batches are compliant with recipes and standards.
These tests helps reaching the higher standards of production norms, complying with international requirements and standards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Preparing all adequate equipment needed for laboratory analysis.
• Collecting from all production units all the samples of the previous day’s production.
• Performing chemical and microbial analysis of raw, pasteurized and end dairy products and microbial analysis of water before and after treatment.
• Compiling and evaluating data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
• Generating results and sending them to Q.C. Manager, who will inform both Production & Plant Manager.
• Collecting samples of raw materials and packaging materials from suppliers as soon as they arrive at the factory and before acceptance. Performing the necessary tests for quality and compliance:
- If the tests meet the required norms and standards, the reception is approved, and the “Acceptance Documents” are issued, duly filled by the lab technician and signed by the Technologist.
- If the tests do not meet the standards, the materials are rejected and returned to the supplier. A copy of the results will be provided to the supplier, outlining the discrepancies/deviations.”
• Preparing the microbial culture for next day’s production.
• Surveying systematically and continuously all working stations of the factory, to check the level of hygiene. The results are transmitted via Q.C. Manager, to Plant Manager, who will inform on the spot the Production Manager for proper action.
• Preparing the needed chemical products for the laboratory.
• Generating periodic reports regarding missing chemical products/ingredients, in order for the Q.C. Manager to make a purchase request.
• Checking regularly on equipment precision and calibration, and correcting any malfunctioning or deviation.
• Cleaning and sanitizing of the laboratory’s equipment and stations as per standards and procedure, at the end of the shift.
• Any other task as per Management request.
Main Test & Analysis preparation
• Routine bacteriological and/or chemical tests and analysis as per company’s procedures & protocols on:
o Dairy products
o Water
o Tanks
o Tins
o Air
• Preparation of media, solutions and reagents for tests performing.
• Participation to organoleptic tasting to judge the final products.
• Propose and develop new tests and submit to Q.C. Mgr. for approval.
• Testing regularly working production station to check levels of cleanliness & sanitization.
• Coordination with Q.C. Manager and Production Manager to ensure that Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000) is implemented, maintained and updated.
Profile Prerequisites:
- BS in Food Science & Technology, or Chemistry, or Biology/Microbiology, or equivalent, from a reputable university.
- 1 or 2 years of working experience.
- Appropriate training certificates would be a plus.
- Previous experience in a similar field is preferred.
- English is a must, French is a plus.
- Computer literacy.