Laboratory Analyst

OVERVIEW

The Laboratory Analyst’s primary function is to provide a variety of finished product testing, maintaining an efficient laboratory, and supporting the corporation’s food safety and quality programs. The position is typically weekly rotating 8 or 10-hour shifts for 24-hour coverage over a 6-day period, including day/afternoon/night shifts and regularly scheduled Saturday shifts.

DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively participates in and promotes Redpath’s safety, environmental, food safety and quality programs
• Performs routine quality analyses such as titratable acidity, granulation, %T, brix, moisture, pH, and environmental analyses
• Inspect and evaluate raw materials, in-process, and finished food products based on quality criteria such as weight, flavour, colour, texture, and appearance.
• Identify, segregate and report any non-conforming or out-of-specification products to the quality assurance supervisor.
• Monitors and maintains calibrations for lab equipment (refractometers, moisture analyzers, scales, pH meters).
• Monitors lab instrument performance and adjusts and/or alerts supervision to instrument problems
• Prepares chemicals and reagents as needed
• Performs various finished product testing on granulated, in-process samples, and other samples as assigned
• Collects finished products samples for retesting, customer requests, etc.
• Records and analyzes testing results, follows up on non-conformances and provides feedback on trends
• Participates in Corporate round-robin testing
• Procures lab supplies, chemicals, and equipment necessary for efficient operations of Main Lab and other satellite laboratories
• Evaluates, develops, and validates new methods and procedures
• Provides training to staff and hourly employees on new testing procedures and equipment
• Interacts with Process and Packaging supervisory teams to ensure consistent and representative in-process and finished products sampling
• Works together with Process and Packaging departments on corrective actions ensuing from various issues, including but not limited to off-spec products
• Interacts with Purchasing department in preparing purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and service entries
• Works closely with other laboratory staff in order to maintain efficient testing, clean working environment, etc.
• Maintains required records and documentation
• Investigates consumer complaints and generates reports
• Generates C.O.A.s for customer requirements
• Support Continuous improvement and participate in internal quality audits.
• Support verification of packaging, labelling, and batch documentation for traceability.
• Acts as a back-up for other Quality employees
• Ensure compliance to ISO/IEC 17025 Quality Management System
• Follow all workplace health and safety and food safety protocols, including HACCP, GLP & GMP Standards.
• Performs other tasks as identified by Management.

WORK EXPERIENCES

• A minimum of two years’ experience in a similar role
• Experience in working with vendors

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Chemistry or food science degree from an accredited college or university (or equivalent)

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Knowledge of cane sugar processing an advantage
• Knowledge of good laboratory practices and methods an advantage
• Excellent knowledge of quality systems and their implementation
• Commitment to achieving the highest possible quality standards
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to influence people who may have conflicting priorities
• Ability to work effectively with other laboratory staff
• Proactive and motivated by change
• Strong organization, planning and decision-making abilities
• Capable of troubleshooting and resolving issues in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft® applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Visio, and SharePoint)
• Familiarity with SAP is an asset
• Proficient in statistical analysis