NIR Quality Assurance Specialist

Bay State Milling Job Description

Job Title: NIR Quality Assurance Specialist

Department: Corporate Quality Assurance

Reports To: QA Supervisor

Work Location: Quincy, MA (On-Site 5 days per week)

FLSA Status: Salaried Exempt

Pay Range: $65,000 - $85,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications

SUMMARY:

Based out of our Rothwell Grain Essentials Center (GEC) in Quincy, MA, the NIR Quality Specialist will play an integral role in our Quality Assurance team by supporting company growth through maintaining and executing the Corporate lab programs with a heavy focus on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) program management. This position will also be asked to participate in the development and evaluation of innovative ingredient solutions within strategic bakery product platforms, including baking performance, whole grain nutrition, health, and wellness categories, and organic. In addition, the NIR Quality Specialist will support the analytical and rheological areas of the QA department as needed, with helping to evaluate, amongst others: protein, moisture, ash, and rheological properties prior to baking the products. These solutions will apply to all BSM business units.

As applicable, they will work with counterparts in Quality, Operations, R&D, and Sales and Marketing to analyze Bay State Milling ingredients that meet customer’s requirements for baking quality and any other applicable quality attributes.

They will report to the Quality Assurance Supervisor, with a dotted line to the Principal Quality Specialist to ensure compliance of targeted objectives.

WHO WE ARE:

Bay State Milling Company is a family-owned leader in grain-based food ingredients, proudly serving the industry since 1899. For over 125 years, we’ve been on a mission to promote the growth of nutritious, sustainable, and accessible food choices. Our portfolio spans flours, grains, seeds, and innovative plant-based ingredients, all crafted to meet evolving consumer demands for healthfulness, great taste, and affordability.

Rooted in five generations of ownership, we combine deep milling expertise with forward-thinking innovation. From our flagship mill in Winona, Minnesota to facilities across North America, we partner with growers and customers to deliver quality and trust at every step. Guided by our core values—Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Caring, and Quality—we relentlessly pursue better for the food system and the communities we serve.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR)

• Manages the NIR management program for Create and Cultivate product categories for Bay State Milling (BSM) and provides timely results and insights to stakeholders based upon data analysis.
• Act as a technical subject matter expert for the BSM NIR program including continuous training curriculum development in Quality personnel.
• Ensure the lab equipment is maintained in accordance with company requirements and conduct internal reviews and audits of those programs.
• Assist in training Quincy GEC and plant personnel in lab equipment when appropriate and provide guidance for employees with regards to safety, food safety and quality concerns.

Quality

• Prioritize incoming samples for testing analysis to ensure timely and accurate data to Operations.
• Perform primary and secondary method analysis (where applicable) for parameters such as rheology, FN, and vomitoxin, etc.
• Perform preventative maintenance, cleaning, basic repairs, and calibration to laboratory equipment.
• Participate in technical commercialization activities for bringing new products to market where applicable.
• Perform experimental milling procedures to evaluate milling characteristics.
• Collect and send samples for analysis to outside labs as required and track results accordingly.
• Participate as a sensory panelist at the Quincy GEC, Participate in external and internal cross-check programs.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement efforts as requested.

Customer

• Prepare samples for submission to customers as requested.
• Analyze complaint samples as requested and report results.
• Participate in customer visits to the Quincy GEC as requested.

Employee

• Provide technical support and training to other employees.
• Provide leadership in effective management of sample throughput, review of data, and follow up.

Functional/Leadership

• Actively participate in initiatives to support Corporate Quality Assurance business plan. Share knowledge and expertise with QA teams at other sites. May include travel.
• Provide site leadership in an area outside the laboratory such as recognition, safety, lean, enlistment, and/or community service.
• Actively participate in lab cleanliness and orderliness to maintain housekeeping throughout the GEC.
• Respond to and resolve daily quality and safety non-conformities, and document Corrective Action to preventative future occurrences, capturing them in the CERT system.
• Other duties as required.

ALLOCATION OF TIME:

• NIR-related activities: 70%; Primary and Secondary lab activities: 30%

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Thorough understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Understanding and expert efficiency in the function and application of ingredients, equipment, processes and finished product characteristics within the segments listed above
• Experienced in the application of whole grains and wellness-oriented functional ingredients will be an advantage.
• Ability to interpret physical, chemical and experimental flour, pizza, tortilla and bread-based test results to make appropriate conclusions, and recommendations.
• Thorough understanding of lab and preferably bakery equipment for functionality.
• Ability to lead or participate in a sensory-evaluation program
• Ability to independently own a project (ability to operate at a high level of performance autonomously)
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team (marketing, sales, operations, procurement, quality assurance) environment.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• B.S. degree in Chemistry or related field with specific experience in NIR analyses and maintenance thereof.
• 3-5 years minimum experience in lab applications.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint windows applications is required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• English fluency is essential. Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to interact with and respond to customers.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations such as product formulas.

REASONING ABILITY

• Must have seasoned judgment and business situation versatility, with ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Capacity to team with marketing, sales, quality assurance and technical sales departments
• Self starter with ability to set and manage priorities based on business unit goals.
• Excellent laboratory skills including project management, record keeping, equipment calibration, cost analysis, control standards, maintenance and computer literacy.
• High attention to detail and a keen eye for aesthetics.

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

While performing this job, this employee is regularly required to be on his/her feet for long periods of time. At other times, it will involve sitting for long periods. This position requires the use of hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. Must not be allergic to wheat and/or associated dusts. The job is in an environment that exposes the individual to various noise levels and various temperature levels. The individual must be able to climb stairs and ladders, and various other activities such as bending, kneeling, standing and lifting. The employee may be required to lift up to 60 lbs. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk or hear. The Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Several tests require ability to differentiate colors and ability to distinguish minute characteristics.

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

The work environment is essentially in a test kitchen/laboratory environment. However, occasional contact with the plant sites is essential. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Hearing protection is required in certain areas when visiting plants and would be provided. Comfortable, closed toe shoes are required.

FOOD SAFETY / SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

The Company is committed to producing and delivering defect-free products. To ensure this, all employees are required to be trained on and adhere to the Good Manufacturing Policies set forth by the Company as they pertain to personnel practices, equipment, and facilities. It is also vital that all employees be aware of their work environment and prevent any accidental or intentional adulteration of products produced at this facility.

SAFETY:

While performing the job functions it is the expectation of the employee to work in a safe manner and follow company policies regarding safety. It is the expectation and responsibility of the employee to report any and all injuries immediately to their supervisors and to report to supervision any safety situation that the employee feels is substandard and poses a risk for employee injury, property damage or loss. Due to the presence of chemicals in the lab, it is important for the employee to understand chemical reactions, MSDS sheets, and safe chemical handling practices.