Lab Technician (Hot Springs, AR, US, 71901) na Kerry Group - Taste & Nutrition Ingredients and Science

About Kerry

About the role

Overview / Accountability

•  This position is responsible for laboratory operations regarding product testing, customer orders, and monitoring production quality. This person has developed skills in monitoring quality systems and customer related duties. Quality personnel are responsible for disposition of products; this includes approval of products, packaging material, labels, as well as the hold and release of inventory. The Quality technician is dedicated to the production of high quality, safe food in a manner that meets our customers exacting expectations, will enhance our reputation, keep our employees safe and protects the environment. The Quality technician plays a role in ensuring all products meet Food Safety and Food Quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership Competencies

Competency  

How it’s demonstrated:

Role modelling 1 Kerry  

•  Leads by example

•  Advocates and role model the adoption of 1 Kerry global ways of working

•  Acts in a way that is both trustworthy and trusting, champions the values of the organization and challenges unacceptable behaviors

•  Displays passion for 1 Kerry and seeks opportunities to maximize value from it

•  Shares knowledge and recognizes success

Vision & Strategic Thinking  

•  Creates and communicates a clear vision for the future of Kerry

•  Displays confidence, energizes and inspires others

•  Takes a stand for what is right

Leading and Managing Change  

•  Actively and visibly sponsors the need for change

•  Leads and implements positive change

•  Demonstrates an ability to identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives

•  Demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability to be successful in a changing environment

•  Embraces new ideas and approaches

Customer Engagement & Relationships  

•  Inspires confidence

•  Builds relationships with others at all levels

•  Positively & constructively engages customers to defend/ win business for Kerry

People & Self Development

•  Invests time in creating high performing teams

•  Sets context, coaches and mentors teams, empowers others to be successful

•  Fosters continuous development, builds self-awareness

•  Seeks feedback, is open to ideas of others

Matrix Management/ Business Connect  

•  Actively engages across the organization

•  Builds partnerships based on trust and integrity

•  Engages effectively across business, functional and geographic boundaries

•  Demonstrates an ability to lead virtual and cross-functional teams

•  Collaborates to maximize value from cross functional working

•  Aligns deliverables across a global matrix organization

Key responsibilities

Technical Competencies

Competency  

How it’s demonstrated:

Technical Expertise  

•  Adhere to good laboratory practices (GLP), good manufacturing practices (GMP), and safety requirements

•  Knowledge of basic food safety, quality and HSE programs.

•  Basic understanding of the manufacturing process and understands what actions are required when process quality is off target.

•  Understanding of operational process in own area and how process variables impact quality.

•  Aware of quality standards and the importance of the standards as it pertains to role (SQF, ISO)

•  Knowledge of quality systems and understanding of role in those systems.

•  Knowledge of regulations as they pertain to food defense, food security and occupational safety.

•  Understands product limits (specifications) and end use.

•  Identify events that CAPA could be applied.

•  Knowledge of 1 Kerry ways of working.

•  Responsible for daily laboratory operations.

•  Assist in training laboratory technicians in duties related to quality lab functions

•  Maintains and updates customer order requirements and perform duties that are needed to meet these requirements (chemical analysis, product approvals, COA, and specifications)

•  Taste, smell, and evaluate incoming, intermediate, and finished products

•  Maintains incoming and outgoing products (tracking, analysis, record keeping, database, etc.)

•  Perform basic product lab tests as required

•  Complete inspections of product or processes in production and warehouse areas

•  Maintains product retains

•  Maintains equipment/calibration in the lab and plant where appropriate

•  Assists in general audits of the quality systems

•  Purchase and maintains laboratory inventory

•  Assists in maintaining and understands product specifications

•  Responsible for analyzing test data to determine acceptability

•  Disposition of material produced as well as incoming material

•  Maintenance of SAP specific to Quality and management of inventory based on quality status

Influence  

•  Gathers ideas and solutions to problems

•  Supports all relevant ideas to wider audience

•  Gains support and commitment from others

•  Motivate others to meet goals

Critical Thinking  

•  Logical thought process

•  Cool under pressure

•  Crisis management

•  Ability to manage projects through established methodologies

•  System oriented

•  Resource and long-term team planning

•  Keeps an eye on “the bigger picture”

•  Must use logical thought processes and deductive reasoning. Must be able to evaluate test data for the purpose of determining process control adherence and determine proper responses to “out-of-specification” product.

Processing & Organizational Knowledge  

•  Leverages process and organizational knowledge to support business goals

•  Builds relationship within Kerry organization to optimize available resources

•  Builds strategic relationships outside organization to keep up with best practices

•  Uses processing knowledge to help impact Kerry's bottom line

•  Shares processing and organizational knowledge across the Business

Process Optimization  

•   Maintain quality lab to include restocking and recycling as needed

•  Execute environmental monitoring program

•  Ensure all products meet food safety and food quality requirements

•  Works well in a team setting

•  Punctual

•  Adheres to Kerry attendance policy

•  Other duties assigned – such as backup to Sanitation Tech for cleaning duties as necessary.

Qualifications and skills

Specific Skill Requirements

Essential  Desirable

Education  High School Diploma, GED or equivalent training and experience.

Two to three years lab experience, knowledge of food manufacturing, some knowledge of quality assurance programs, and basic computer skills. College level coursework in chemistry or pertinent job-related experience is preferred.   

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Technical  

Analytical skills.

Continuous improvement understanding.

Thorough understanding of unit of operations.

Knowledge of lean manufacturing methodology.  

HACCP/food safety experience

Experience in food, chemical, or Pharmaceutical industry 

Behavioral Communication and interpersonal skills.

Team leadership and development.

Skills in motivating, coaching & influencing others.

Problem solving.

The pay for this position is $19.93 per hour.  Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role.  Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.  The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.  Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement.  This job posting is anticipated to expire on 12-17-2025