Quality in Bardstown, Kentucky at STRONG SPIRITS INC

Position Reports To: Director of Quality

Works Closely With: Director of Processing & Warehouse, Processing Supervisors, Processing Operators, Production Leadership, and Quality Team

Direct Reports: None

FLSA status: Full time, Non-exempt

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SECOND SHIFT

Position Purpose:

The Quality Assurance Lab Technician is primarily responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Quality Laboratory through product testing, laboratory maintenance, documentation, and quality verification activities. During periods when laboratory workload allows, this position provides direct support to the Processing Department by serving as an independent quality resource and second set of eyes during critical processing activities.

This role partners with Processing Operators to verify blend calculations, proof adjustments, ingredient additions, product transfers, and processing documentation before work is completed. The position helps ensure products meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety standards, and Strong Spirits quality expectations while helping prevent costly processing errors.

Primary Responsibilities

Quality Laboratory Operations

• Perform all routine laboratory testing including proof, pH, sensory evaluation, water testing, and product verification.

• Perform daily laboratory equipment calibration and verification.

• Perform distillations to verify true proof according to TTB regulations.

• Maintain laboratory records and quality documentation.

• Collect, label, organize, and retain production samples.

• Verify bottling and processing documentation for accuracy.

• Perform quality inspections and audits throughout the facility.

• Support GMP, HACCP, allergen, and food safety programs.

• Assist with customer audits and regulatory inspections.

• Maintain laboratory inventory and supplies.

• Assist with SOP development and updates.

• Support investigations involving customer complaints, deviations, and nonconforming products.

Second Responsibilities

Processing Quality Support

• When laboratory responsibilities have been completed or workload permits, this position will assist the Processing Department by:

• Serving as an independent quality verifier during critical processing activities.

• Reviewing blend sheets, formulas, proof calculations, and batch records.

• Verifying ingredient additions before processing is completed.

• Confirming lot numbers, raw materials, and customer specifications.

• Verifying product transfers and processing documentation.

• Performing independent quality checks before the product advances to the next production stage.

• Assisting with troubleshooting processing issues.

• Supporting Processing Operators while maintaining an independent quality perspective.

• Assisting with product sampling during processing operations.

• Communicating quality concerns to Quality and Processing Management.

This position serves as the required second reviewer for critical processing activities by independently verifying:

• Blend calculations

• Proof calculations

• Ingredient additions

• Product adjustments

• Tank assignments

• Raw material verification

• Batch documentation

• Product transfers

• Client specifications

• Required quality documentation

The Processing & Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for validating the accuracy of critical processing activities prior to completion and helping prevent processing errors before they impact product quality or customer satisfaction.

This position has the authority to:

• Stop processing activities when product quality, food safety, documentation accuracy, or customer specifications are in question.

• Recommend product hold, rework, or additional review.

• Escalate quality concerns to Quality or Processing Management.

This position does not have supervisory responsibility over Processing employees.

• Strong understanding of alcohol processing, blending, proofing, distillation, filtration, and product handling operations.

• Knowledge of laboratory testing procedures, quality assurance principles, and quality control practices.

• Knowledge of TTB regulations, proofing requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety standards, and documentation controls.

• Excellent mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including proof and blend calculations.

• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and product quality.

• Ability to identify discrepancies and potential quality issues before they impact production or customers.

• Ability to independently verify calculations, documentation, ingredient additions, and processing activities.

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively with Processing and Quality teams.

• Proficient in documentation review, recordkeeping, and quality verification processes.

• Ability to prioritize laboratory responsibilities while providing processing support as operational needs allow.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Associate degree or technical training in Quality, Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Distillation, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in quality assurance, laboratory operations, alcohol processing, food manufacturing, or a related manufacturing environment preferred.

• Experience performing laboratory testing, proof calculations, blend calculations, documentation review, and quality verification preferred.

• Working knowledge of TTB regulations, GMPs, HACCP, and food safety requirements preferred.

• Previous experience training employees or serving as a technical resource is preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Able to work three consecutive twelve-hour shifts (Monday-Wednesday or Friday-Sunday) with some overtime.

• Fast-paced manufacturing, warehouse, and laboratory environment.

• Regular exposure to alcohol, cleaning chemicals, noise, and varying temperatures.

• Frequent standing, walking, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting throughout the shift.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, records, and documentation for quality and accuracy.

• Ability to work around alcohol and other flammable liquids.

• Ability to work independently during off-shift operations while maintaining communication with Quality and Processing Management.

• Willingness to assist the Processing Department when laboratory responsibilities have been completed.

• Some overtime may be required based on production demands.

The primary objective of this position is to support the daily operations of the Quality Laboratory while serving as an independent quality resource for off-shift processing operations. This role helps ensure products meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Strong Spirits quality standards through laboratory testing, quality verification, and documentation review.

In addition to laboratory responsibilities, this position serves as the required second set of eyes during critical processing activities by independently verifying calculations, ingredient additions, proof adjustments, product transfers, and processing documentation. By partnering with the Processing team, this position helps prevent errors, strengthen quality controls, and protect the quality and integrity of products manufactured for Strong Spirits customers.