At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Typical Day 

The Lab technician Chemistry is responsible for the accurate performance of all physical testing currently conducted.  Ensure the timely and accurate flow of information to the plant staff and customer service by maintaining files and entering results into data base.  Interpret results and initiate endpoint testing as needed.  Maintain ledgers and equipment in order to insure the validation of all processes.  Assist in the compilation of data or initiation of new testing as needed.

Responsibilities

• Learn & efficiently perform lab tests presently conducted, and lab testing initiated in the future.
• Perform all assigned chemistry analysis on in-process, finished product, and project samples.
• The ability to read, study, understands and implements published lab procedures and tasks.  As new tasks are introduced, lab staff may be asked to take a written procedure, order their own supplies and starts perform testing with little input.
• Will be expected to be flexible and at most times able to do multiple test steps at once.
• Will be expected to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to assume duties without being asked and solve problems on an independent basis.
• Should be quick and efficient with small motor activities.
• Will be expected to report results, able to act on the basis of the data.
• Must be able to follow instructions completely and in detail.
• Ability to successfully comply with quarterly proficiency studies and quality control programs.
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills
• Manage and maintain confidential information
• Maintain professional standards and demonstrate sound judgment during peaks periods of activity
• Establish effective working relationships with internal customers

• Annual completion of OSHA required safety training. 

• Active participation and ownership in your training and development program and associated activities, classes and events, which will be held before, during, after shifts and during scheduled days off. 
• Help coach and train teammates and participate in on the job, buddy training.
• Place high priority on food safety and sanitation by understanding and executing HCC’s food safety and sanitation policies and procedures.
• Hold self and others accountable to HCC’s food safety & sanitation guidelines and policies by communicating any food safety incident, observation, or opportunity to your leadership team or teammates. 
• Participate in food safety and sanitation root cause analysis and improvement activities when required. 

• Prioritize safety above all other job duties by having a safety first approach at all times.
• Report any safety issues, observations, opportunities to your teams and follow up. 
• Participate in departmental safety teams.

• Promote Company Culture
• Achieve common business goals through cooperative alignment with all departments.

What You Will Need

• English skills must be proficient to understand, read, write and speak English
• High School diploma or GED from an accredited institution
• 4 months lab or production experience
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook 
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency on position specific Needs Analysis requirements
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency on daily repeatability studies by generating results that consistently fall within 2 z-scores
• Must be open to working weekends, holidays and rotating shifts (day/swing/graveyard) as necessary) and working overtime as necessary

• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Pass the level 1 Post Offer Employment Testing (POET).

What Will Put You Ahead

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biological Sciences or related field 
• Intermediate experience in SAP 
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Physical Demands

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to:

• Stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk or hear.
• Stand and walk almost the entire workday.
• Employees must be physically capable of working in any of the job tasks within their respective area.
• Required to work at heights and in fairly small areas.
• Pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, handling and grasping, twisting/turning, repetitive bending.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to the following: 

• Exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, or other irritating substances.
• Exposure to solvents or chemicals.
• Exposure to slippery walking surfaces: water.
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity depending on time of year.

Working surface is primarily concrete. Where standing is required, there are rubber mats which are one-half inch thick.

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

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