Quality Assurance Lab Technician

QA Lab Tech

The QA Lab Tech provides guidance and leadership to the plant team in testing, sampling, sanitation, IPM, and overall quality needs. The role involves assigning quality and food safety tasks, conducting training, and managing quality data for inventory management. This position is integral to the operations team, supporting various roles such as receiving, plant cleaning, packaging, and shipping.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and leadership in testing, sampling, sanitation, IPM, and quality needs.
• Conduct training for facility personnel regarding food safety and quality concerns.
• Complete inventory receiving reports and manage quality data in the database.
• Support and lead onboarding training for new hires.
• Participate in operations including truck receiving, plant cleaning, and product shipping.
• Engage in initiatives supporting the plant business plan and site programs like safety and community service.
• Set up, adjust, calibrate, and operate laboratory equipment such as NIR and gluten testing kits.
• Manage and confirm that finished products meet quality standards and release products for shipment.
• Record and report test results and enter data in management systems.
• Assist in sanitation and cleaning processes and conduct pre-operational inspections.
• Lead plant food safety and sanitation inspections.
• Manage documentation of corrective and preventative actions and resolve complaints.
• Assist shipping and receiving departments with inspections and documentation.
• Maintain and clean laboratory equipment.
• Participate in proficiency testing programs for gluten testing.
• Assist with label control and conduct verification.
• Lead compliance, food safety, and employee safety training.
• Lead quality audits and monitor quality standards and deviations.
• Manage packaging and shipping of customer/sales sample requests.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Cereal Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Milling Science.
• Previous lab experience.
• Attention to detail.
• Computer skills, specifically in spreadsheet/Excel format.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous laboratory supervisory or management experience is a plus.
• Experience in the grain/agricultural industry is preferred.
• Prior experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX is a plus.

Work Environment

This position is 100% on-site with 8-hour shifts. Work hours are from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm for the 2nd shift, with the 1st shift during onboarding. The work site is a milling facility, which is a very dirty environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Belgrade, Montana.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $46000.00 - $50000.00/yr.

Health, Vision, Dental. EAP, 6 holidays, 10 days vacation

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Belgrade,MT.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2025.