Lab Tech

HOURLY PAY= $25.00 PER HOUR

Why you will love working at Maola:

• Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future.
• Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.
• We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, Life Insurance, paid time off, and more—available within your first month.
• Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

SUMMARY

Applies principles of microbiology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and economics to monitor methods of production, preservation, and utilization of milk and other dairy products. Perform standardized tests to determine quantity or quality of branded products to ensure compliance with company or government quality standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.  

• Conduct testing to determine causes for contamination in finished product that directly affect quality, shelf life, flavor and color.
• Conduct testing to determine the quality of incoming ingredients, including raw milk and ingredients for formulated products.
• Conduct testing as outlined in Standard Methods for the Examination of Milk Products for: butterfat (using Babcock method and FOSS FT-120), total solids (using CEM solids tester and FOSS FT-120), direct microscopic counts, antibiotic content (using Charm ROSA method), sediment testing, standard plate counts (using 3-M Petrifilm and Easy Gel Plates), total coliform counts (using 3-M Petrifilm), yeast and mold counts (using 3- M Petrifilm and Easy Gel Plates), homogenization efficiency (using Gaulin EQA analyzer), pasteurization efficiency (using Charm LumT), titratable acidity on raw milk, cream, recycle milk products.
• Perform weight checks on product by checking weighing all incoming samples.
• Perform volumetric determination of container fills.
• Perform chemical concentration checks on central sanitizer system, on foot spray systems, on CIP cleaners and sanitizers as needed.
• Conduct water quality testing of chilled water systems through the use of pH monitoring and coliform testing.
• Conduct environmental testing in the production areas using ATP swabs (to determine gross contamination), SPOT Check swabs (to determine the presence of milk as an allergen), sponging for the presence/absence of Listeria monocytogenes, and air plates.
• Perform organoleptic testing on raw milk, finished bottled product, shelf-life samples at 7-days, at code date and at 4 days past code date (milks only).
• Perform viscosities using Zahn cups on ice cream mixes, eggnog, buttermilk, and chocolate milk before packaging, and on packaged products.
• Aid in investigating customer complaints and work with sales to determine causes of product failures in the marketplace.
• Validate test results through the use of controls and standards in the operation of laboratory equipment.
• Communicate problems to appropriate plant supervisory personnel in a timely way
• Calibrate thermometers plant-wide using approved laboratory methods.
• Perform split samples with the Virginia Dept. of Health.
• Become certified and maintain certification for antibiotic testing through biennial on-site evaluation by the state LEO (Laboratory Evaluation Officer) and annual split sampling program.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• All associates are responsible for restocking disposable items and making supplies as needed without prompting from others.
• Aid in maintaining company environmental storm water policy.
• Ability to work independently as well as maintain constructive working relationships with people at all levels of the organization (both inside and outside the company).

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or B.S. in Food or Biological Sciences or a minimum of two years’ experience in a QA/QC position working in a food, chemical, or agricultural manufacturing facility preferred.
• Working knowledge of PC based systems; expertise in Microsoft Word and Excel preferred.

 COMPETENCIES

• Communication
• Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels – oral, written, visual, and non-verbal – ensuring our messages are understood and delivered appropriately, whether in-person or digitally.
• Accountability
• Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise.
• Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur. 
• Customer Focused
• Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs.

• Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service.

• Initiative
• Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.
• Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action.
• Problem-Solving
• Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance.
• Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions. 
• Collaboration
• Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met.
• Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and valuing each person’s contributions, is fundamental to successful collaboration. 

 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 is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to reach, bend, extend, and lift weights (up to 36 pounds maximum or 10 pounds frequently) and stand for up to 7 hours.

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.

• The work environment may require working in the cooler room with varying degrees of temperature and may include contact with water or dairy liquids.
• Exposed to a noise level of 90 decibels.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate/high.  Wet/slippery work conditions.

Maola Local Dairies is a farmer-owned cooperative sustainably producing a full suite of nutritious dairy products.  Maola processes milk, cream, butter, and dry milk powders through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit www.maolamilk.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.