Job Details

ABOUT KATE FARMS

Kate Farms is a company with heart. Our company was founded on the belief that good nutrition leads to good health, and good health opens the door to endless possibilities. That's why our mission is to make nutrition the cornerstone of healthcare so people can live their best lives. We are a medical food company that makes complete nutrition formulas for people who have a medical need for liquid nutrition.

Kate Farms works to be the place where a diverse mix of talented individuals want to come, stay, and do their best work. Ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is at the core of Kate Farms' values. We are an equal-opportunity employer and fully focused on equality; we believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different. We invite you to do the best work of your life with us at Kate Farms.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The QC Lab Technician will operate within the Quality Control arm of the Quality and Regulatory Affairs Department. In this role, the QC Lab Technician will conduct physical laboratory tests in support of research and development and commercial product testing programs using various scientific equipment and bench chemistry techniques. The QC Lab Technician will be expected to learn and understand the requirements for Corporate Food Safety and Quality, ensuring all QC objectives are met. The ideal candidate must be adaptable to a dynamic work environment, willing to learn, and willing to collaborate with all functional groups.

Quality Control is an integral part of the Quality and Regulatory Affairs team, which ensures a full slate of safe, wholesome, and clinically effective food products in their development and finished phases meet set standards of quality, uniformity, and performance. To further our advancement in plant-based nourishment, Kate Farms has established the Innovation and Quality Center in Goleta, where a Pilot Plant, along with a state-of-the-art laboratory, is situated to support evaluation of R&D-scale production, Product Development, Quality Control, and full-scale analytical and functional testing. The QC Lab Technician will be immersed in game-changing food technology and support advanced testing activities.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Perform required routine and non-routine finished product tests in support of hold and release of commercial products according to SOPs.
• Operate and maintain laboratory instruments (pH, viscosity and density meters, solid analyzer, balances, etc.) and support miscellaneous testing needs with these instruments.
• Accurately record test results in LIMS, report any out-of-specification results, and assist with investigations.
• Use Excel spreadsheets and basic formulas to perform calculations.
• Support third-party laboratory test submissions, including electronic submittals, sample shipping, tracking, notifications, receiving reports, and data entry.
• Manage lab supplies and product inventory for the QC team and ensure adequate supply for various test needs.
• Help with organizing and maintaining the retention sample library.
• Maintain current knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices and required regulatory compliance.
• Handle and dispose of hazardous materials according to local, state, and federal regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be comfortable in a chemistry laboratory environment where hazardous materials (biological and chemical) are present and require direct handling and exposure.
• Possess basic competency in mathematical skills.
• Must pass a skills evaluation for basic math proficiency and attention to detail during the interview.
• Must have operating knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Has the ability to operate laboratory equipment and follow written procedures and protocols.
• Can work with a sense of urgency in response to changing priorities.
• Is self-motivated and able to think independently and to work with minimal supervision.
• Has excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills for working across departments and teams.
• Has good written and oral communication skills in the English language.
• Has a strong commitment to company mission and values.
• Can work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectfully shares and accepts feedback willingly from all levels of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Effectively handle lifting of various objects weighing up to 12 pounds.
• While performing the essential functions of the job, the employee will be required to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb stairs.
• Possess the ability to sit at a computer for extended periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This position will work onsite, Goleta, CA.

Compensation for this role is in the form of base salary plus a variable component that together comprise the On-Target-Earnings (OTE).

The typical starting salary range for new hires in this role is listed below. This range represents the lowest to highest salary range we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. Please note that base pay offered may vary depending on factors including your geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of background verification.

$22.00 / hour - $24.00 / hour USD

For full-time salaried or hourly workers, our total rewards package also include the option to enroll in a company-matched 401k plan, as well as participate in Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee's eligible dependents. Employees will also receive a generous PTO benefit with a starting accrual of 15 days per year (prorated upon hire and increased by tenure), two weeks of paid “Refresh” leave, 80 hours of paid sick leave annually, and 11 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Kate Farms offers a range of other benefits offered with an emphasis on employee well-being such as paid disability leave, paid parental / pregnancy leave, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), tuition reimbursement, an Employee Assistance Program, and more.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization as directed by the management of the company.