Part-Time Technician - Research, Innovation & Development (Brookings, SD) at Bel Brands USA – Brookings, South Dakota

Country: United States
City: Brookings
Job Family: Communication/CSR/Public affairs
Contract Type: Unlimited-term
Job ID: 53185
Part-Time Technician - Research, Innovation & Development (Brookings, SD)

At Bel, we are not just a company—we are a company on a Mission, built on 160 years of bold innovation, family values, and a commitment to social purpose. With beloved brands like Babybel®, GoGo squeeZ®, The Laughing Cow®, and Boursin®, our snacking solutions bring more than joy; they want to serve as a force for good. Our U.S. Mission? To help close the critical 80% nutrition gap by making it easier for Americans to eat more fruits, veggies, and dairy as part of their daily lives. The company has headquarters in Chicago and New York City and operates 4 manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI; Brookings, SD; Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID. #IWorkForAllForGood

Job Description Summary

The Technician will assist the Pilot Plant Manager with cheese and packaging trials and innovation projects. Hours are about 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm (Central Time) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, plus occasional extra hours, for up to 20 hours per week.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Trial Support including but not limited to:

• Prepare equipment and materials for trials, including:
• Pre-cleaning equipment, tools and workspaces
• Post-cleaning after trial completion
• Preparing wax for application
• Preparing the brining process for application
• Execute product and packaging innovation trials
• Adjustments to pressing parameters during trials
• Monitor climate chambers and ensure proper conditions are maintained
• Execute mini vat trials, ensuring safe and effective use of pilot plant equipment
• Execute cheese waxing
• Create packaging mockup samples
• Prepare samples for shipment

Data Collection & Analysis

• Accurately collect trial data, including pH, temperature, and other relevant metrics
• Gather production reference data
• Evaluate quality parameters of trial products
• Monitor and collect cleaning process data

Sanitation

• Execute pilot plant sanitation duties to ensure standards are met
• Perform tasks in a safe, organized, and independent manner
• Evaluate cleaning performance

Skills Required/Preferred

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Strong organizational skills
• Mandatory: Accurate data recording and data documentation skills
• Openness and willingness to learn new skills
• Previous experience in food production, pilot-scale trials, or laboratory settings (preferred)
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and sanitation protocols (preferred; training will be provided)
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned by management.
• Follows all Good Manufacturing Practices as stated within the policy
• Follows all Safety rules & procedures by working safely and ensuring safety of others
• Follows all food safety procedures
• Follows all environmental protocols as applicable
• Follows all sanitation procedures and work instructions

Qualifications and Competencies

Minimum education and experience required:

• Requires education generally equivalent to a High School Diploma.
• Ability to read and understand laboratory procedures.
• Ability to function as a team member and contribute to group goals.
• Ability to operate a variety of office, laboratory and pilot equipment such as a personal computer, water baths, incubator, PH meters, salt analyzer, scales, and rapid and reference chemistry testing methods, climate chambers, pressing equipment, and mini cheese vats
• Able to create and edit spreadsheets, enter and organize data in Microsoft Excel.
• Prefer a good knowledge of State of South Dakota rules that regulate the dairy industry, testing procedures, and documentation techniques.
• Requires good oral communication skills to effectively deal with coworkers.

Protective Equipment:

Employees must wear safety glasses, protective gloves, hair net, plant uniform, bump cap, and rubber boots, as required.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach above shoulders, taste and/or smell, or talk and/or hear.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds collecting samples and performing laboratory tests. Specific vision requirements of this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The employee occasionally works in proximity to fumes or air-borne particles, non-weather related wet, humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and in non-weather related extreme cold.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Hourly Rate: $23.03

Bel Brands is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Company’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Bel Brands also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Bel Brand’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.