Quality Assurance Technician

Job Summary:

• The overall purpose of the job is to conduct qualitative and quantitative tests at the powder plant and central laboratory to ensure that the company is maintains compliance with both internal and external product and processing standards to minimise losses from contamination, spoilage and or rejection.  

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests; 
• Inspect and collect samples at the powder plant for testing against pre-defied product parameters set by the company ​​fat, ​protein, titratable acidity, moisture content by oven method and by halogen moisture analyzer, milk fat, sink ability, bulk density, scotched particles.  etc., on a day-to-day basis for each production shift during processing and after processing every 2 hours to ensure that the pre-defined quality and processing parameters are maintained throughout processing;  
• Ensure all results for powder plant quality tests are properly recorded using standard quality measurements and reported to production supervisors in a timely manner; 
• Issue and verify batch numbers for a product and production line releases during each production shift; 
• Check and verify the strength of Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) solutions and rinse water for the purity, and strength of cleaning chemicals and on quality of water used for rinsing are needed at beginning of every shift and during each CIP process;  
• Test for residual cleaning chemical after CIP process for presence of CIP chemicals to ensure that cleaning chemical used is properly removed; 
• Monitor and maintain processing area hygiene and staff hygiene in the powder plant to minimize the risk of in process contamination; 
• Prepare activity reports in a timely manner for verification by the Quality Manager; 
• Participate in root cause analysis of milk processing issues and take corrective action; 
• Test and verify the dead weight of the weighing scale in the powder plant on a daily basis; 
• Provide extended support to the Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) team in overseeing the implementation of safety standards at the powder plant; and  
• Any other responsibilities assigned to the job holder by the supervisor from time to time. 

Knowledge, experience and qualifications:

• Diploma in Chemistry related field (Food science, Industrial Chemistry)
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in diary processing operations.

Technical & Behavioural competencies  

• Knowledge of powder milk machine operations.
• Practical knowledge in milk handling and packaging integrity
• Quality sampling and testing skills
• Root cause analysis and troubleshooting skills
• Analytical skills
• Good clerical and record keeping skills
• Ability to work as a team 
• Effective communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and patience
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work for long hours with minimal supervision
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Organization and strong attention to detail 
• Good time management