Animal Lab Assistant Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

Pay: $27.00 per hour

Shift & Working Hours: 1st Shift; 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM; Weekends/Overtime as needed.

The Quality Lab Technician role is part of our Purina Animal Nutrition business helping our network of local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers serve producers, and animal owners throughout the United States. As the Quality Lab Technician, you will be an important member of the manufacturing plant quality team and perform tasks that are essential to manufacturing a safe and quality product. This position is a hybrid of desk work, lab work, and labor-intensive tasks as needed

This role is part of our Purina Animal Nutrition business who serves producers and animal owners throughout the United States. We innovate the nutrition products and practices that unlock the full potential of every animal for a healthier, more productive life. 

Job Duties:

• Conduct daily routine checks on equipment to ensure proper maintenance and operation of the lab equipment, metal detector, as well mixer and packer scale verification

• Complete daily and weekly physical and lab testing on product, to ensure compliance to specifications. Includes mycotoxin tests, pellet durability and measurements, and inspection of triple crown products

• Monitor and maintain internal product testing records according to corporate guidelines

• Complete regular cleaning of essential lab equipment to ensure proper operation and calibration

• Manages product retain sample inventory

• Manages rework and medication ingredient inventory

• Monitor and verify adherence to manufacturing sequencing program

• Completes monthly feed inspection

• Completes monthly housekeeping inspection audit

• Completes monthly inventory audit

• Communication and coordination with the NIR Lab

• Follows all Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements and Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP’s)

• Knowledgeable of the Feed Quality Management System (FQMS) and assist in maintaining the program.  Helping to keep the plant audit ready always

• Assists in the HACCP prerequisite program implementation, training, and records

• Work with Pest Control contractor maintain Pest Control Program and problem solve solutions to corrective actions.

• Comply with safety and environmental requirements

• Serves as a member of the safety committee

• Maintain QA Lab cleanliness and inventory

• Serve as weekend coverage as production schedule demands

• Assist Quality/EHS Manager in other functions, as necessary. Serves as Quality Manager in Managers absence

Required Experience and Skills:

• 3+ years of quality and/or lab experience

• Required High School Diploma or GED equivalent

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Power Point

Preferred Experience and education:

• Preferred Bachelor’s Degree

• 2 year of experience in a manufacturing environment

Physical Requirements:

• Able to lift/carry up to 50 pounds

• Frequent movement including walking, standing, bending/stooping, turning, twisting, pushing, pulling, raising arms, lifting, climbing and other active movements

• Performing duties while wearing personal protective equipment

• Working in temperature zones that include cold and/or hot environments for extended periods and may include areas where dust and chemicals are present

• Required to work scheduled shift which may include weekends, some holidays, and periodic overtime

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested. 

Land O'Lakes does not use Automated Decision-Making Technology, as defined by California law, to substantially replace human decision-making or make significant decisions about applications for employment or contracting opportunities.