Job Title: Quality & Batching Technician Location: US Beverage Packers WEST – Anaheim, California Reports To: Batching/Quality Supervisor Department: 300 – Batching / Quality FLSA Status: Hourly SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE The Batching & Quality Technician is responsible for preparing, mixing, testing, and verifying syrup and other products used in beverage production. This position combines batching, compounding, and quality-control responsibilities to ensure products are prepared accurately, consistently, and in accordance with company quality, food safety, and production standards. The position follows formulas, batch sheets, SOPs, and quality procedures; measures and adds ingredients; operates batching equipment; performs quality testing; maintains accurate records; and communicates deviations or concerns to leadership.
CORE COMPETENCIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Safety & Compliance
- Follow all company safety policies, GMPs, SOPs, food safety procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Wear required PPE and follow equipment safety procedures.
- Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized batching, laboratory, sugar room, RO room, and production support areas.
- Properly handle, label, store, and dispose of ingredients, chemicals, reagents, and laboratory materials.
- Report safety hazards, injuries, spills, equipment malfunctions, contamination concerns, and other unsafe conditions immediately.
- Complete batching, testing, and sanitation activities in accordance with food safety and quality requirements.
- Operate forklifts and other material-handling equipment only when trained and authorized.
- Quality & Standards
- Prepare and mix syrup and other products according to approved formulas, batch sheets, production schedules, and specifications.
- Accurately measure and verify ingredients and batch quantities.
- Perform quality checks and testing throughout batching and production processes.
- Collect samples of raw materials, in-process products, batching tanks, and finished products as required.
- Perform testing such as pH, Brix, temperature, concentration, microbial testing, plating, and other required analyses.
- Verify batches meet specifications before release to production.
- Identify and immediately communicate out-of-specification results, product concerns, and process deviations.
- Assist with quality investigations, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
- Complete and maintain accurate batch sheets, quality records, test results, sanitation records, deviation reports, and other required documentation.
- Calibrate and maintain laboratory and quality-control equipment according to established procedures.
- Productivity & Operational Excellence
- Prepare batches accurately and efficiently to support production schedules.
- Calculate ingredient quantities based on production requirements, tank volumes, and scheduled production.
- Measure, weigh, stage, and add ingredients in the proper quantities and sequence.
- Operate and monitor batching tanks, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, transfer systems, and related equipment.
- Monitor operating parameters and make adjustments within established procedures.
- Control syrup flow and transfer finished batches to production lines as required.
- Verify required ingredients and materials are available and report shortages or discrepancies that may affect production.
- Minimize waste, rework, downtime, and product loss through proper process control.
- Perform required cleaning, sanitation, and pre-operational inspections.
- Support production start-ups, changeovers, and shift handoffs.
- Communication & Teamwork
- Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication with Production, Warehouse, Maintenance, Quality, and leadership.
- Communicate batch status, quality results, material shortages, equipment issues, and production-impacting concerns promptly.
- Immediately communicate conditions that may affect product quality, food safety, employee safety, or production schedules.
- Participate in shift handoffs, start-up meetings, training, and department meetings.
- Provide accurate information to ensure effective shift-to-shift communication.
- Work with other departments to resolve batching, quality, material, and equipment concerns.
- Maintain professional and respectful working relationships with coworkers and leadership.
- Contribute to a positive, team-oriented, and solution-focused work environment.
- Technical / Job-Specific Skills
- Understand and follow syrup formulations, recipes, batch sheets, SOPs, and product specifications.
- Perform accurate calculations involving ingredient quantities, batch volumes, and production requirements.
- Operate batching tanks, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and transfer systems.
- Understand basic batching and compounding processes and their impact on product quality.
- Perform quality-control testing using approved procedures and laboratory equipment.
- Understand testing parameters, product specifications, acceptable ranges, and quality standards.
- Accurately record, review, and interpret production and quality data.
- Identify abnormalities, trends, and recurring process or quality issues.
- Assist with troubleshooting and root-cause investigations.
- Use computer systems for data entry, documentation, and reporting.
- Maintain working knowledge of batching, compounding, quality systems, food safety, and beverage manufacturing processes.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or GED required; education in Food Science, Chemistry, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum 2–3 years of experience in food or beverage manufacturing, batching, compounding, quality control, laboratory operations, or a related manufacturing environment.
- Previous batching and compounding experience required.
- Quality-control or laboratory experience preferred.
- Ability to read and follow formulas, batch sheets, SOPs, specifications, and quality standards.
- Strong mathematical, numerical, and analytical skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to perform quality testing and interpret results.
- Basic computer skills for documentation and reporting.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to work overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and varying schedules as required by business needs.
PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during an 8-hour shift.
- Ability to frequently reach, bend, stoop, climb stairs, and use ladders as required.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 75 pounds.
- Ability to perform repetitive motions associated with batching, sampling, testing, cleaning, and production activities.
- Work is performed in a manufacturing and laboratory environment with moderate noise, varying temperatures, and wet conditions.
- May be exposed to chemicals, cleaning agents, ingredients, and other manufacturing materials in accordance with established safety procedures.
- Must wear and properly use all required PPE.
- Must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Pay Range: $20.00–$25.00 per hour. Starting compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, skills, and business needs.
- Benefits include:
- 401(k)
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Vacation and Sick Time
Equal Employment Opportunity We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category. Reasonable accommodation is available upon request. Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required.
3rd shift overnight Monday-Friday 9:00pm-5:30am