Lab Technician II, Food Material Characterization

It's a Perfect Day to change the world! At Perfect Day, we're doing just that.
Perfect Day was founded in 2014 to create delicious, nutritious dairy products that everyone can love. We’re using fermentation (not animals) to make dairy proteins that are the foundation for foods like ice cream, cheese and yogurt – all with the distinctive taste and textures that consumers demand, but without lactose or environmental downsides. Through partnerships with respected brands, we’re working to launch a whole range of dairy products that will help shape a humane, sustainable food system for future generations. 
As one of the newest members of the Food team, you will work with Scientists and Research Associates to perform instrumental and sensory tests and maintain analytical equipment to support team and company goals. The ideal candidate is an intelligent, enthusiastic, motivated Lab Technician with knowledge of food ingredients, experience with food analysis or characterizing food products, and interest in animal-free food product development.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION:

• With guidance from Research Scientists, monitor food products across all stages of development and production through sampling, analysis, testing, and other defined methods and procedures. 
• Analyze materials utilizing analytical equipment such as pH meter, Turbiscan, rheometer, particle size analyzer, and various functionality assays.  
• Assist with and participate in sensory panels for various food products. 
• Maintain equipment calibration and maintenance, lab audits for good practices and improvement opportunities, and generate reports.
Other functions:
• Maintaining inventory of supplies and products in the lab to include ordering, receiving, labeling, shelving, organization, and shipping. 
• Weighing and processing products samples for analysis (running bench/pilot plant machines & unit operations, including but not limited to pasteurizer, homogenizer, Microthermics, and spray drier). 
• Record keeping (inventory, MSDS, routine maintenance, experimental/observational data) and report preparation.
Competencies:
• Effectively applies technical knowledge to solve a range of problems. 
• Identify and recommend improvements to existing workflows. 
• Ability to collect data in a timely, methodical fashion and document work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Our team members should be driven and do what it takes to contribute to a small team in a fast-paced, collaborative start-up environment. 

KNOWLEDGE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Associates degree in food science, biological sciences, or life sciences with 1-2 years of experience in food industry. Bachelor’s degree in food science, biological sciences, or life sciences a plus. 
• Prior experience operating food analytical instruments, such as rheometer, particle size analyzer, texture analyzer, RVA, or Turbiscan. 
• Basic knowledge of food science, food ingredients, products, nutrition, or manufacturing processes.
Additional Knowledge, but not required:
• Experience with assisting with or participating in sensory analysis of food products. 
• Food product or process development in R&D or organized restaurant environment. 
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and safe food handling practices. 
• Prior experience operating food processing equipment at bench or pilot scale.
• Some travel up to 5% of total work time may be required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.
• Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods at a given time; reach, climb, kneel, bend, push and/or pull, and at times lift objects as heavy as 50 lbs.
• Position located in a mix of typical laboratory, workshop, and kitchen environments, and requires a tolerance for high worker traffic, close quarters, noise, odors, dust, transiently wet and dirty floors, and varying room temperatures and lighting. 

Perfect Day is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
It's a Perfect Day to change the world. The day when delicious dairy goodness is something everyone can love. The day we say goodbye to the downsides of factory farming. The day we throw a big party with luscious, animal-free milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, all made with Perfect Day! We hope you join us!