Software Quality Analyst jobs in Schenectady, NY

QA Lab Analyst

About Beech-Nut Nutrition Company…

We are one of America’s leading companies providing nutritious, wholesome foods for babies using real ingredients, gently cooked, with non-GMO verified, Natural or organic ingredients in almost all our products. 

Our work is organized around our mission to Delight Consumers by Conserving the Goodness of Nature. We care deeply about others, the planet, and are empowered to make a difference. We expect, reward and celebrate strong performance.

Our Values…

Our ambition to grow is underpinned by our four core values Create wow, Everyone Hero, Nourish others, & Take Responsibility. Our values help us navigate the ever-changing environment in which we operate and ensure we innovate to meet customer needs.

Create Wow  ~  Everyone Hero   ~  Nourish Others  ~  Take Responsibility

If this sounds like a place you want to invest your time, keep reading!

About the Role…

The QA Lab Analyst will report to the Lab  Manager and will take an active role in Beech-Nut Nutrition’s (BNN) pesticide testing of raw ingredients using a Gas Chromatograph (GC) and testing raw materials and finished product via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) for heavy metals. This role will be cross-trained in other laboratory functions such as inventory, environmental sample collection, microbiological and physical sample testing. This role will assist with inputting data into our software system (SAP), maintaining the equipment list, creating and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) along with creating and issuing test reports.

About the Team…

The Quality Assurance Team is diverse in knowledge and experience and are responsible for ensuring that Beech-Nut’s products meet the highest standards for food safety and quality. This team takes pride in, and responsibility in partnering with our Strategic Sourcing, Operations and Technical Services Teams to ensure the ingredients sourced and processed have passed our testing standards and expectations.  This is a hands-on, collaborative team that is energetic and passionate about making sure we continue to do what we do best - making high quality, safe, and nutritious foods for babies and toddlers!

Our Commitment to Safety…

At Beech-Nut we are committed to a strong safety program that protects its staff, its property, and the public from accidents. Associates at every level, including management, are responsible and accountable for the company’s overall safety initiatives. Complete and active participation by everyone, every day, in every job is necessary for the safety among all workers on the job site. Management supports participation in the program by all Associates and provides proper equipment, training and procedures. Associates are responsible for following all procedures, working safely, and, wherever possible, improving safety measures. An injury and accident-free workplace is our goal. Through continuous safety and loss control, we can accomplish this.

About the Work Environment…

This is an on-site position that is located at the Amsterdam, New York LEED® certified production facility. Most job functions are performed in a well-lit, environmentally controlled office environment.  As a manufacturing location, this position may require one to be in an environment that requires hairnet, beard cover, safety glasses, hearing protection and lab coat. Restrictions include wearing of jewelry, nail polish and acrylic nails. Other personal protection equipment may be required for certain tasks.

What you will do…

• Perform analytical testing and reporting of raw materials and finished goods.
• Perform heavy metal testing using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
• Test raw ingredients for pesticide residues using a Gas Chromatograph (GC).
• Enter results in SAP Quality Module and database for all testing conducted.
• Maintaining lab equipment list and calibration schedule. Working with our floor support stations to ensure the necessary equipment is available and functioning. 
• Execute lab procedures and protocols according to company policies and ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures, Federal, State and local regulations.
• Work with team to continuously improve the laboratory and laboratory procedures.
• Assist with training new employees as needed.
• Organize and review all laboratory data and reports before issuance of results.
• Carry out laboratory analyses including microbiological, physical and chemical testing.
• Effectively communicate with Sourcing and Operations Planning regarding release status, sample requirements, new material items/sources, and vendor compliance to specifications.
• Monitor and input receiving information to ensure lot identification, and that receiving programs are compliant with documented procedures.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Who You Are…

• Deciding and Initiating Action: You are able to make timely decisions while weighing risks.  You act without being prompted and take responsibility for projects, people and mistakes.
• Analyzing: You are able to analyze all types of information using a wide range of sources.  You draw well-reasoned conclusions and pinpoint key information from large data sets.   You are able to identify themes and produce effective solutions.
• Learning and Researching: You rapidly learn new tasks and quickly commit information to memory. You ask key questions and use all relevant information to make decisions.  You use mistakes as a learning opportunity and encourages others to learn from one another.
• Planning and Organizing: You are able to set clearly defined objectives, establish priorities, plan activities and project and manage time effectively.  You monitor progress against deadlines and milestones.

What You’ll Need…

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Chemistry, Food Science, Biology) with 3-5 years of relevant experience in an analytical laboratory OR
• Masters or Ph.D. with 1-3 years relevant experience.
• Experience in Gas Chromatograph (preferred) and ICP-MS (required) sample analysis.
• ISO 17025 Accredited laboratory experience preferred
• Laboratory experience in microbiology and wet-chemistry, ideally in a commercial lab.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
• Flexibility in the assigned shift schedule

What’s in it for you?  Compensation, Benefits & More… 

At Beech-Nut, we are devoted to creating an inclusive culture where our team members are professionally challenged and cared for personally.  

We  are committed to fair and equitable compensation practices and take into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skills, relevant work experience, certifications and qualifications, education, and other business needs. Compensation for a role will be in line with the location in which the position is filled. 

Our associates also have access to opportunities for professional development and access to our on-site amenities as well as many other benefits and perks!  We are proud to offer our associates the following:

Pay: The annual base salary range for this in-person role is $55,000 - $68,000. This is an hourly non-exempt position. 

Benefits: This position gives you access to a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage for you and your dependents; life & long-term disability, flexible spending and health savings account, paid vacation and holidays, New York State paid sick time, and 401(k) retirement benefits with 4% company match. 

Professional Development:

• Tuition assistance program
• Access to a best-in-class online learning system (LMS)
• Access to robust professional development programs

More Perks! 

• Opportunities to volunteer and support the local community
• Generous maternity/paternity benefits & take your child’s 1^st birthday off
• Take your birthday off each year!
• Baby food coupon program until your child’s 2nd birthday
• Service Awards

Amenities:

• On-site fitness center
• On-site café catered by Mazzone Hospitality - PRIME Business Dining
• On-site Company Store
• A private on-site Mother’s Room to support nursing mothers and pumping needs at work
• New! Nourish Others Learning Lab with computer stations

What it is like to live in upstate New York…

We are about 30 minutes northwest of Albany, the NY state capital, and 40 minutes southwest of Saratoga Springs. We are near major cultural events, outside recreation and places to have fun throughout the year. From watching the New York City Ballet or listening to Brad Paisley, Cardi B, Dave Matthews Band, Goo Goo Dolls, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana, or Tedeschi Trucks Band at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), boating on beautiful Lake George, hiking the famous trails of the Adirondacks, or skiing at Lake Placid, you will find there is plenty to keep you, and/or, your family busy. And, if you are looking for the occasional big city attraction, it is a short drive to Boston, Montreal, and New York City.

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, Beech-Nut Nutrition Company will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

To all agencies: All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee at Beech-Nut via-email, the internet or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of Beech-Nut, unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged by Beech-Nut for this position and a valid agreement is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of the Beech-Nut Nutrition agency engagement process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.