Food Technologist - Thermal Processing

This position works in the Regulatory Affairs Department, Thermal Processing and is primarily responsible for auditing activities and documentation associated with thermal process of Amy's Low Acid Canned Foods (LACF).

This position also identifies deviations and areas for corrective action working in close association with the FSS, and the Canning Production department to assure compliance on a consistent basis. In addition, this position will identify areas for continual improvement in our recordkeeping and process documentation practices and create and/or maintains all associated documentation such as check sheets, training material, tracking forms etc.to assure that proper documentation is in place and that they remain current.

This position also assists with the product hold and release function and will always ensure that the products affected by deviations are properly and sufficiently segregated on Hold. This individual may also be involved in training related to process documentation and food safety requirements and may also be required to work on special projects associated with new products and changes in regulatory requirements or manufacturing practices.

This position will be located at an Amy's facility that has a Low Acid Canned Food production line.

Review/audit daily production paperwork for compliance to all LACF regulatory (consistent with 21CFR, Part 113) and internal requirements.
• Review daily production files and work with co-manufacturers of Acidified Foods in accordance with Amy's requirements and 21CFR Part 114.
• Assist in various retort or canning trials, such as process validation work for new or reformulated LACF and Acidified, new equipment or processing changes, can/end/packaging issues, and continuous improvement projects.
• Work in conjunction with Amy's R&D department in the development of new Amy's Kitchen products requiring heat processing or an FDA-filed thermal process.
• Develop and maintain daily processes and paperwork, including new product documentation, for LACF and/or Acidified products.
• Conduct annual Formula Comparison review of all canned and acidified products.
• Lead Canning CCP training developed by the Thermal Processing Team.
• Maintain training records, training plans and certificates for related training activities related to LACF functions at all Amy's facilities.
• Manage pre-purchase sampling of raw materials in canned products.
• Participate in non-conformance review meetings and communicate dispositions and action items.
• Performs special projects as required.
• Other duties may be assigned.

It is the responsibility of all employees to uphold the mission of the Amy's Food Safety and Quality Policy. This includes following all Food Safety and Sustainability programs and participating in all required training.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• This position requires an BS degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in LACF production and food manufacturing experience.
• Two years of experience in thermal process development or canning R&D/quality assurance is preferred but not required.
• SQF Practitioner and Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and assertive skills, necessary to maintain effective and cordial intra department working relationships while, at the same time, come to resolution/agreement on Amy's requirements.
• Must be capable of analyzing data and communicating findings in a clear and concise manner.

Language Skills

• Ability to speak clear English and communicate with R&D/Technical staff with regard to thermal process experiments and food sample preparation.
• Ability to effectively present information to all levels of management as well as technicians.
• Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to use simple math concepts such as adding subtracting, multiplication and division in working with product formulas and inventories of equipment.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to understand statistical charts and data.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where direction is being given by R&D or Tech Service staff.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Successful completion of Better Process Control School.

Travel

Estimated travel requirements are a minimum of 10%.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is usually wet or humid, may experience some extreme cold weather. The employee will work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.