NIR Quality Assurance Specialist

Massachusetts
100 Congress Street
Quincy, MA 02169, USA

Job Title: NIR Quality Assurance Specialist

Department: Corporate Quality Assurance

Reports To: QA Supervisor

Pay Range: $65,000 - $85,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications

Based out of our Rothwell Grain Essentials Center (GEC) in Quincy, MA, the NIR Quality Specialist will play an integral role in our Quality Assurance team by supporting company growth through maintaining and executing the Corporate lab programs with a heavy focus on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) program management. This position will also be asked to participate in the development and evaluation of innovative ingredient solutions within strategic bakery product platforms, including baking performance, whole grain nutrition, health, and wellness categories, and organic.

In addition, the NIR Quality Specialist will support the analytical and rheological areas of the QA department as needed, with helping to evaluate, amongst others: protein, moisture, ash, and rheological properties prior to baking the products. These solutions will apply to all BSM business units.

As applicable, they will work with counterparts in Quality, Operations, R&D, and Sales and Marketing to analyze Bay State Milling ingredients that meet customer’s requirements for baking quality and any other applicable quality attributes.

They will report to the Quality Assurance Supervisor, with a dotted line to the Principal Quality Specialist to ensure compliance of targeted objectives.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR)

• Manages the NIR management program for Create and Cultivate product categories for Bay State Milling (BSM) and provides timely results and insights to stakeholders based upon data analysis.
• Acts as a technical subject matter expert for the BSM NIR program including continuous training curriculum development in Quality personnel.
• Ensures the lab equipment is maintained in accordance with company requirements and conducts internal reviews and audits of those programs.
• Assists in training Quincy GEC and plant personnel in lab equipment when appropriate and provides guidance for employees with regards to safety, food safety and quality concerns.

Quality

• Prioritize incoming samples for testing analysis to ensure timely and accurate data to Operations.
• Perform primary and secondary method analysis (where applicable) for parameters such as rheology, FN, and vomitoxin, etc.
• Perform preventative maintenance, cleaning, basic repairs, and calibration to laboratory equipment.
• Participate in technical commercialization activities for bringing new products to market where applicable.
• Perform experimental milling procedures to evaluate milling characteristics.
• Collect and send samples for analysis to outside labs as required and track results accordingly.
• Participate as a sensory panelist at the Quincy GEC, participate in external and internal cross-check programs.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement efforts as requested.

Customer

• Prepare samples for submission to customers as requested.
• Analyze complaint samples as requested and report results.
• Participate in customer visits to the Quincy GEC as requested.

Employee

• Provide technical support and training to other employees.
• Provide leadership in effective management of sample throughput, review of data, and follow up.

Functional/Leadership

• Actively participate in initiatives to support Corporate Quality Assurance business plan. Share knowledge and expertise with QA teams at other sites. May include travel.
• Provide site leadership in an area outside the laboratory such as recognition, safety, lean, enlistment, and/or community service.
• Actively participate in lab cleanliness and orderliness to maintain housekeeping throughout the GEC.
• Respond to and resolve daily quality and safety non-conformities, and document Corrective Action to preventative future occurrences, capturing them in the CERT system.
• Other duties as required.

Allocation of Time:

• NIR-related activities: 70%;
  Primary and Secondary lab activities: 30%

Educational and Experience Requirements

• B.S. degree in Chemistry or related field with specific experience in NIR analyses and maintenance thereof.
• 3-5 years minimum experience in lab applications.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint windows applications is required.

Other Qualifications

• English fluency is essential. Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to interact with and respond to customers.
• Thorough understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Understanding and expert efficiency in the function and application of ingredients, equipment, processes and finished product characteristics within the segments listed above.
• Experience with whole grains and wellness-oriented functional ingredients is advantageous.
• Ability to interpret physical, chemical and experimental flour, pizza, tortilla and bread-based test results to make appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to lead or…