Quality Analytical Specialist

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. 

Requirements

Overview:

Lactalis Midwest Yogurt - Murfreesboro is a high performing, multi-platform non-union facility with over 300 employees leading the safe, high-quality production of a wide range of dairy products across 13 production lines. 

The Quality Analytical Specialist will be responsible for multiple activities that provide technical assistance in the lab, including reading, understanding, and implementing Lactalis lab procedures, support and assessment of routine testing (fat, protein & solids), equipment operation and preventive maintenance, monitoring the accuracy of equipment based on the analytical test results, statistical data analysis of raw materials, products, and processes, and assisting with implementation of new testing procedures. 

Key Accountabilities:

· Responsible for all aspects of food safety and quality as defined in plant and department procedures.

· Reads, understands, and implements Lactalis lab procedures independently with minimal support.

· Supports the Processing QE and Lab manager in the analysis of variances and statistical deviations and use the information as input for reviewing the analytical processes.

· Understands data and detects trends related to raw material, in-process, and finished product chemistry, micro and physical analyses. Measures the statistical deviations and reports issues in a timely manner so that actions can take place to reduce defects and errors, minimizing variation, increasing quality and efficiency.

· Meet weekly to review data and determine necessary adjustments. Ability to effectively report out on data received over that week.

· Maintain the bias and anchoring methods (Drying oven for total solids, Gerber for  fat, etc.)

· Calculate standard deviations and propose new testing and improvements in the process.

· Analyzes and evaluates samples results from each step of production to determine if results fall within the expected range and troubleshoot testing if not.

· Generates reports as needed and data analysis to calculate statistical deviations

· Supports Lab Manager with other tasks and special projects as assigned.

· Responsible for keeping equipment and area clean and sterile

· Keep inventory and maintain stock of appropriate equipment necessary to carry out lab duties

· Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting 

breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance and calling for repairs

· Maintains daily logs of tasks and equipment records, including calibrations and preventive maintenance

· Complete additional projects by assisting broader team through the attendance and participation in group and project meetings

· Promote self-development including updating job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading technical publications

Minimum Qualifications: 

· Associate degree or higher in Laboratory, Engineering, Life or Food Sciences.

· One to two years’ experience in a food/pharma lab performing analytical testing/ quality evaluation in a manufacturing environment.

· Strong Statistical knowledge. 

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization, including the ability to present business information in a group setting.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office and working knowledge of data management systems (e.g. SAP)

· Ability to work independently.

· Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines within specified time constraints.

· Ability to operate in a team environment.

· Ability to adapt in a changing work environment.

· Ability to work schedule, overtime, off-shifts and weekends as needed. 

· Ability to be flexible with hours and travel for necessary training.

Preferred Qualifications: 

· Bachelor’s degree or higher in Laboratory, Engineering, Life or Food Sciences.

· Three to five years’ experience in a food/pharma lab performing analytical testing/ quality evaluation in a manufacturing environment.

· Knowledge of GLP and ISO (22000, 17025) is strongly preferred.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.