**Brand:** Michael Foods Inc. **Categories:** Quality **Locations:** Wakefield, Nebraska **Position Type:** Regular Full-Time **Req ID:** 26367 **Job Description** **Business Unit Overview** Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution industry with business in egg products, refrigerated grocery and potato products. We offer exciting job possibilities throughout our organization where you can enhance your career, sharpen your talents and make an impact. Join our company and be part of an innovative team that’s First in Food. Location Description Wakefield is one of the largest production facilities within Michael Foods. We serve as a flex plant and are able to produce everything from a whole pasteurized egg to liquid, dried, hardboiled and curds. Responsibilities SUMMARY: The Microbiology Laboratory Technician is responsible for performing the microbiological tests on products made at Michael Foods facilities. This includes receiving, setting, reading reporting results for samples received and the supporting activities such as media preparation and culture disposal. Compliance to following methodology in support of the laboratory’s ISO 17025:2017 is required. It is every employee’s responsibility to comply with safety work rules at all times as well as an obligation to reinforce safety as a core value. Ensures that all policies, procedures and activities, related to food safety & quality, are followed and complied with uniformly, in an effort to reduce product and process variability. ACTIVITIES: •Ensures regulatory compliance at all times. •Practices Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs). •Receives and prepares raw, in-process, environmental and finished product samples for microbiological analysis. Performs laboratory analysis per MFI standardized test methods and lab requirements to ensure compliance with standards and regulations. Maintains accurate and legible documentation. •Reports results to sister facilities as needed. •Conducts environmental monitoring of lab environment. •Performs equipment checks and safety monitoring as required. •Ensures proper calibration, verification, and maintenance of all lab equipment as defined by each lab. •Assists in maintaining the lab’s quality control system. •Participates in and maintains acceptable test scores for all assigned proficiency tests and skills assessments. •Performs bacterial identifications as directed by protocol and/or Micro Laboratory Supervisor. •Maintains lab database. •Sterilizes microbiological wastes and biohazards. •Prepares and sterilizes media as required for testing. •Washes and sterilizes labware as needed. •Washes and sterilizes production tools (scoops) as needed. •Maintains a clean and orderly work area including all storage areas. •Stocks supplies and ensures supplies are requested in a timely manner. •Supports Quality and Company initiatives. •Actively participates with departmental and cross-function teams as needed. •Participates in root cause analysis and the CAPA process for laboratory non-conformances. •Performs the responsibilities necessary to maintain ISO certification for the Micro laboratory. •Attends and actively participates in people safety and food safety meetings/trainings. •Able to work flexible schedules, including off-shift hours, weekends, holidays and overtime. •Ability to work independently. •Assumes personal responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for everyone. Adheres to all safety policies/procedures and incorporates safety and health in all job’s duties/tasks. •Adheres to safe work practices, follows GMP’s, maintains sanitary conditions and ensures that product food safety and quality is maintained. Reports any conditions or practices that may adversely affect employee safety or food safety/quality to management immediately. •Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION: One-year certificate from college or technical school or equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience. EXPERIENCE: LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups or employees of the organization. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and interpret bar graphs. REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagram or schedule form. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Specific skills and abilities required that are not included in other sections: •Ability to work in a fast-paced environment •Good interpersonal skills •Ability to work as a team member as well as independently. •Basic computer skills (MS Office) for collecting and analyzing data, writing procedures/reports, and sending email communications. •Maintain professionalism and confidentiality at all times. Post Holdings provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran and any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)