Position Overview:
The primary responsibility of the Compounder is to accurately weigh and mix ingredients in the appropriate vessel while adhering to the order of and instructions per each formula/recipe. This role involves staging materials, distinguishing from allergen and non-allergen, avoiding cross contamination, calibrating and operating manufacturing equipment, maintaining detailed batch records, all awhile following strict adherence to Food and OSHA safety requirements/policies/procedures. Incumbent may be required to follow routine and non-routine actions depending if product requires any additional Kosher, Halal or customer specifications related to testing, micro, metal detecting or sieving through certain mesh requirements.
Job Responsibilities:
- Stage ingredients for each batch to ensure all materials are accounted for before starting batch.
- Process batch according to formula/recipe. This requires accurate measurement of ingredients using scales to weigh powders and liquids; following detailed instructions; melting, filtering, mixing and various ingredients. May melt solids using hot plates, may use enzymes to break down raw materials.
- Identify ingredients that require dilution and diluting appropriately and recording raw materials usage.
- Maintains quality standards by verifying weight and contents of raw materials; conducting in-process batch inspections; documenting all process events and by following procedures and policies.
- Process liquid, powders, homogenizing and spray dry methods of compounding
- Operate mixers, spray dryers and blending tanks
- Check for consistency in various batches and measure the viscosity of the mixtures.
- Timely and accurately take samples of the batch and turn them over to a laboratory for testing.
- Notify supervisor or Flavor Chemist if batch appears to be off in color or texture or if a mistake was made to determine if the batch can be salvaged
- Maintain accurate Batch records – record all data and notes in legible handwriting or by computer
- Packaging finished good
- Ensure final product is properly packed, labeled, and prepared for shipment. Adhere to customer requirements using bags, bag in box, pails, drums, totes, etc.
- Partner closely with quality and R&D teams with rework, scale-ups, and pilot batches as needed
- Follow food safety guidelines and accurate documentation of work completed.
- Must be willing to wear all required PPEs, uniform, protective eye wear, hairnet, beard snood, steel-toed shoes, and apron or gloves depending on type of products being used.
- Work in a fast-paced environment able to multitask and perform under pressure while remaining flexible.
- Sample and test for various attributes from the mixes after completion
- Follow sanitary guidelines and clean equipment; ensure proper color coded utensils are used for cleaning
- As needed will be responsible for packing and labeling containers in accordance with customer specifications and completing all required documentation
- Must be able/willing to work overtime
Qualifications:
- HS Diploma/GED Required
- 1+ years flavor compounding highly desired, however someone with at least 1 year of machine operation experience is qualified or coming from a food, beverage, ingredient or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is highly desired
- Must have keen attention to detail to recognize unit of measure requirements.
- Preferred experience with scales, accurate tare and measurement of grams and pounds.
- Previous forklift experience highly desired
- Basic computer skills highly desired
- Must be able to speak, read and write English
- Must have excellent attendance
Physical Demands:
- Ability to consistently lift up to 50 lbs per day
- Ability to handle heavy materials, including drums required
- Ability to stand throughout the total hours of the working shift
- Ability to walk through out the total hours of the working shift
- Fine finger dexterity
- Ability to work with allergens (dairy & food colorings)
- Must be able to pass a pulmonary test prior to employment
Work Environment:
- Work performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to odors, fumes, airborne particles, noise levels, extreme temperature conditions
- Regularly exposed to odors, fumes, noise and allergens (dairy and food colorings)
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Safety Glasses are required while performing specific tasks
- Nonslip steel toed shoes are required on the Production Floor
- Hairnets, facial hair nets and ear plugs are required to be worn on the Production Floor
- Lab coats, uniforms or coveralls are mandatory on the Production Floor
