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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Juice Filtering Technician

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

ManufacturingProductionFood & BeverageQuality Control

🎯 Role Definition

The Juice Filtering Technician is at the heart of producing a premium beverage product. This role is crucial for ensuring the final clarity, purity, and stability of the juice before it moves to packaging. Working within a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing environment, the technician operates and maintains sophisticated filtration technology, meticulously adhering to stringent food safety and quality standards. This position requires a sharp eye for detail, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a deep commitment to process integrity. You are not just an operator; you are a guardian of product quality, playing a direct role in delivering the consistent, high-quality experience consumers expect from the brand.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Line Operator
  • Sanitation Crew Member
  • Quality Control Sampler / Lab Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Lead Filtration Technician
  • Production Supervisor / Cellar Supervisor
  • Quality Assurance Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Blending or Batching Technician
  • Pasteurization Technician
  • Packaging Machine Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate and meticulously monitor various types of industrial filtration equipment, such as plate and frame, cross-flow, and lenticular filters, to clarify and stabilize juice products according to production schedules.
  • Execute the precise setup, breakdown, and sanitation (Clean-In-Place/CIP and Sanitize-In-Place/SIP) of all filtration systems, pumps, hoses, and associated piping to maintain strict food-grade hygiene standards.
  • Conduct routine and critical quality control checks, including turbidity, Brix, titratable acidity, and pH measurements, on both pre-filtered and post-filtered product to ensure it meets all specification parameters.
  • Accurately prepare and dose filtration aids, enzymes, fining agents, and other processing aids according to specific product recipes and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Maintain meticulous and comprehensive documentation for all filtration activities, including detailed batch records, quality control logs, sanitation cycle verification, and equipment performance data for traceability.
  • Proactively troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and process deviations during filtration runs, making necessary adjustments to flow rates, pressures, and temperatures to prevent product loss and maintain quality.
  • Perform regular preventative maintenance tasks on filtration equipment, such as gasket replacement, sight glass cleaning, filter media inspection, and pump lubrication, to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
  • Manage the inventory of essential filtration media, processing aids, and sanitation chemicals, effectively communicating restocking needs to the supply chain or supervisory team to avoid production delays.
  • Strictly adhere to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) protocols, and company safety policies to ensure absolute food safety and a secure work environment.
  • Collaborate closely with the upstream blending and downstream pasteurization teams to ensure a smooth, efficient, and timely transfer of product between processing stages, minimizing hold times and downtime.
  • Execute pre- and post-use filter integrity testing (e.g., bubble point or pressure hold tests) to confirm the filtration system's effectiveness and prevent any potential for microbial contamination.
  • Diligently monitor and control differential pressure across filter media, initiating back-flushing protocols or changing out filters as required to maintain consistent flow rates and optimal filtration efficiency.
  • Collect and properly label aseptic samples for microbiological and analytical analysis by the Quality Assurance laboratory, ensuring sample integrity is maintained throughout the collection and transfer process.
  • Assist in the validation and commissioning of new filtration equipment and processes, providing valuable operator feedback, participating in trial runs, and helping to develop new SOPs.
  • Safely and accurately handle, transfer, and mix concentrated cleaning and sanitation chemicals, utilizing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times and following all safety data sheets (SDS).
  • Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment to move totes, drums, and pallets of ingredients and supplies safely within the processing and warehouse areas.
  • Monitor and document critical control points (CCPs) as identified by the plant’s HACCP plan, taking immediate corrective action if any deviation occurs.
  • Ensure all connections, hoses, and clamps are properly sanitized, assembled, and leak-free before initiating any product transfer or filtration process.
  • Take ownership of the physical filtration area, ensuring it remains clean, organized, and "audit-ready" at all times.
  • Perform sensory evaluation of products when required to identify any potential off-aromas or flavors that may indicate a process issue.

Secondary Functions

  • Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives, suggesting process enhancements to improve efficiency, reduce water and chemical usage, minimize product loss, and increase yield.
  • Assist in training new technicians and operators on standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and the proper use and care of filtration equipment.
  • Support the Research & Development department by running small-scale filtration trials for new product development or process optimization projects.
  • Maintain a high level of cleanliness and organization in the filtration area and all associated workspaces, adhering to 5S principles (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain).
  • Engage in routine safety meetings and training sessions, contributing to a proactive and positive safety culture within the facility.
  • Support inventory cycle counts for raw materials, processing aids, and finished goods as required by the inventory management team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in operating and troubleshooting industrial liquid filtration systems (e.g., cross-flow/TFF, plate & frame, depth filtration, lenticular).
  • Strong, practical knowledge of Clean-In-Place (CIP) and sanitation principles, chemistry, and validation within a food-grade environment.
  • Foundational understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, and general food safety regulations.
  • Ability to perform and interpret basic laboratory tests, including turbidity (NTU), pH, Brix, and titratable acidity.
  • Solid mechanical aptitude for performing basic equipment maintenance, assembly/disassembly, and troubleshooting of pumps, valves, and sensors.
  • Experience with automated process control systems, such as SCADA or Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), for monitoring and controlling production.
  • Certified and proficient in forklift operation for moving materials within a manufacturing plant.
  • Competency in accurate record-keeping and data entry, both on paper logs and in digital systems (e.g., MES, ERP).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to precision in all tasks, from measurements to documentation.
  • Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to quickly diagnose and resolve process and equipment issues under pressure.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a larger production team.
  • Clear and effective communication skills for logging data, writing shift hand-off notes, and coordinating with other departments.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate’s Degree or a technical certificate in a relevant discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Food Science
  • Process Technology
  • Biology / Chemistry
  • Manufacturing Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3 years of hands-on experience in a production or manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience in a beverage, dairy, brewery, winery, or liquid food processing facility. Specific experience with filtration, separation, or clarification technologies is highly desirable.
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