<p>The hourly pay rate for this position is: $35.58.</p> <p>Who We Are</p> <p>At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.</p> <p>We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT'S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!</p> <p>What You Will Do</p> <p>The Microbiology Technician will be Supporting the safety of all Freshpet products by following plant microbiological programs and assuring conformance to Freshpet standards.</p> <p>The role is responsible for the application of approved microbiological techniques and methodologies used in analytical testing, as well as assisting in preparation of samples for analytical and microbiological testing of food products, ingredients, and environmental.</p> <p>How You Will Make an Impact</p> <ul> <li>Supporting ensuring the safety of all Freshpet products by following plant microbiological programs, assuring conformance to Freshpet standards </li><li>Assisting with calibration program </li><li>Providing analytical equipment troubleshooting and routine maintenance, when needed </li><li>Awareness of Freshpet HACCP programs for all products; support conducting and/or verifying required HACCP food safety tests as needed </li><li>Supporting QA Management in the execution of the Internal Audit program </li><li>Assisting operations with nonconformance investigations and effective documented corrective action </li><li>Appropriately managing plant laboratory supplies </li><li>Training QA team members and others, as needed </li><li>Assist with Shelf-Life program </li><li>Assist in reduction of consumer complaint projects </li><li>Providing technical support production personnel in pursuit of Lean Manufacturing goals </li><li>Assuming additional related responsibilities as necessary </li><li>Working a M-F schedule until Artemis 1 goes live, at which point the position becomes 12-hr. </li><li>If Microbiologist is absent, microbiology technician will assume their responsibilities </li></ul> <p>What You Will Bring</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's Degree or microbiological education and equivalent industry experience required. Bachelor's degree in related science field preferred. </li><li>Minimum two years' experience working in Food Safety/Quality Systems, preferably in food or pet food manufacturing. </li><li>Basic understanding of Microbiology and Chemistry </li><li>Able to demonstrate aseptic technique </li><li>Skilled in sample preparation, homogenization, and serial dilutions </li><li>Intermediate skills in personal computers to work with quality databases, enter and analyze data, read, and author emails </li><li>Understanding, compliance, and enforcement of food Good Manufacturing Practices </li><li>Good interpersonal and communication skills </li><li>Able to effectively train and conduct QA testing </li><li>Demonstrates respect for confidentiality with respect to laboratory information </li><li>Sound ethics </li></ul> <p>What We Offer</p> <p>At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!</p> <p>Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce</p> <p>At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.</p> <p>Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company's achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</p> <p>Disclaimers</p> <p>We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.</p> <p>Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.</p> <p>#LI-DNI</p> <p>6 am - 6 pm</p> <p>12 Hour Shift</p> <p>2,2,3 shift rotation</p> <p>80 Hours Bi-Weekly</p>