**Biology Graduates** Quality Assurance Technician

Quality Control Specialist - 5pm - 5am Shift / 2-2-3 Schedule

Peace River Citrus Products, Inc., Bartow, Florida 33830

SUMMARY: The position ensures that product, packaging and process norms comply with quality and food safety standards for the company’s beverage base blending/packaging facility located in Bartow, FL. Reporting to the Quality & Food Safety Manager, the position performs quality auditing functions by testing, collecting data, and analyzing findings on raw materials, in-process, and finished goods.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Independent and privately-owned, Peace River Citrus Products, Inc. (PRCP) is a vertically-integrated grower partner, fruit processor, beverage base manufacturer/packager, and solutions provider of citrus-derived products and services. Committed to producing the highest quality citrus products and delivering value to customers, PRCP supplies juices and associated ingredients to food/beverage/chemical industries that include global and regional brands as well as private label producers.  Peace River Citrus Products offers employees a competitive salary and an excellent benefit package that includes; Medical/Dental, Life, LTD, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Profit Sharing, and 401k with match.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze incoming ingredients, in-process, and finished products (e.g., Brix, acid, flavor, color, pulp, taste, oil, ascorbic acid, foreign material, etc.) per specifications.
• Monitor/inspect production lines to ensure quality and package integrity are within specifications.
• Verify accuracy of product codes, labels, cases, cartons, packages, sleeves, seals, and shrink-wrap.
• Check fill temperatures, fill weights, and fill heights of finished product.
• Perform complete package quality inspections as required.
• Collect samples for quality testing.
• Perform microbiological analysis on incoming ingredients and finished products.
• Complete all documentation associated with quality checks.
• Maintain accurate reports daily and file Quality and Production generated paperwork.
• Place raw materials and finished product on hold.
• Monitor sorting of hold product as needed.
• Monitor all quality checks performed by production.
• Maintain analytical equipment and perform required daily calibrations.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the use of control charts to monitor analytical equipment.
• Prepare standard solutions and reagents.
• Utilize proper chemical handling procedures.
• Monitor laboratory supply inventory; notify when reordering is necessary.
• Monitor and inspect sanitation activities.
• Analyze CIP and acid sanitizer solutions.
• Maintain equipment and area cleanliness to ensure compliance with all GMP standards.
• Assist blenders as assigned by Supervisors or Team Leaders.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures, including safety and GMP.
• Participate in the quality improvement process.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a food producing facility, preferred.
• High school diploma or GED required. Citrus and/or laboratory experience or additional education which includes laboratory experience.   
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand instructions given in English. 
• Ability to work eight-hour shifts, 12 hour shifts or other work schedules as determined by business need, including overtime as required. 
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks at a lab bench. 
• Ability to detect color changes in chemical testing. 
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. 
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Good judgement with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
• Comfortable and capable seeing the big picture; able to think conceptually and strategically, yet deliver measurable results as a “hands-on” contributor.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work with all levels of management.
• Ability to execute tasks independently, with the support of the senior manager
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within environment of constantly changing priorities.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with MS Windows based applications (Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Access and Word).

Equal Opportunity Employer / Drug Free Workplace