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Lab Technician

Location: Calgary, AB

Description

Big Rock has an exciting opportunity for a Lab Technician located in our Calgary office. Reporting to the Manager, Quality Systems & Food Safety , the Lab Technician will join the Quality Control Department in performing routine sampling and analyses of raw brewing materials, packaging materials, environmental samples, and in-process and finished beer. This will include quantitative and qualitative analyses, tests and measurements to ensure that our products meet the in-process and finished beer specifications of Big Rock Brewery. This position requires rotational shift work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Use, Calibrate and Trouble-shoot the Following Equipment: UV-spectrophotometers and pH meters Dissolved oxygen meters High pressure CO2 tanks Density and alcohol analyzers C - TPO (Total Package Oxygen) analyzers High pressure steam autoclaves Distillation apparatus Gravity (scale) devices Digital and mercury thermometers Incubators and Water baths Conductivity meters
• Safe dilution, use and disposal of a wide array of chemicals.
• Read, understand and effectively use the relevant MSDS documents.
• Use fume hoods to ensure chemical reactions are safely controlled and contained.
• Effective use of personal protective equipment while handling chemicals and performing potentially volatile tests.
• Preparation of media and broths used to collect and analyze bacteriological samples.
• Collect sterile samples, including the safe use of propane torches and high proof alcohol for sanitizing equipment surface areas prior to taking sample; typically for beer, ambient air and water analysis.
• Safe and effective use of high-pressure steam autoclaves.
• Use and maintain lab glassware and microscopes.
• Use precision measuring equipment including: micrometers, vernier calipers, depth gauges and torque wrenches.
• Safe and precise cutting of cans with a seam-check cutting device to ensure seam quality tolerances of finished cans
• Use CO2 measuring devices that require vigorous physical shaking to obtain accurate results.
• Use proper ear, eye, hand and foot protection when performing tests and/or going into areas of the plant that require these protections.
• Other Duties as Assigned.
• Perform daily monitoring of and maintenance on the high-pressure steam generators (boilers).
• Analyze and monitor boiler chemicals daily under the program set up by the site power engineer.
• Building and maintaining statistical spreadsheets, emailing and/or reporting results to supervisors and other departments.
• Participate in formal tasting panels for examining the sensory qualities (taste, odour, colour, palate feel), specified for Big Rock beers and ciders.
• Participate in the onsite BRC (British Retail Council) / HACCP food safety program, and abide by any policies and procedural regulations established under it.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the first phase of a Chemical Laboratory Technology Program or a Bachelor’s degree in a science.
• Ideal candidate will have 1+ years industry experience in a brewery and/or food & beverage production quality lab.
• Able to work in a fast paced environment and prioritize tasks efficiently.
• Strong relationship building skills, with an ability to communicate complex concepts to the business in an understandable way.
• Strong verbal and listening communication skills.
• Ability to liaise with management and employees at all levels.
• Proactive, ability to propose solutions and process improvements to process.
• Flexible and adaptable to a wide range of tasks and activities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Enthusiastic attitude, strong work ethic, and aptitude to work in team capacity is essential.
• Manual movement of chemical drums/beer kegs on a regular basis.
• Occasional lifting up to 20 kgs.
• Sitting, as well as extensive standing and bending is required.
• Brief exposure to high temperatures in the boiler room on a daily basis.