Industrial Flavor Associate - Wilmington, NC

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

Founded in 2008, AKM LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FedUp Foods PBC, is one of the nation's early producers of kombucha, and one of the largest functional beverage manufacturers in America, offering a diverse portfolio of organic private label functional beverages for top global retailers.

Our Culture

FedUp Foods fuels the growth and success of open-minded, collaborative, and passionate individuals who thrive on teamwork, creativity, and continuous learning.

As a proud benefit corporation we have chosen to make People one of our benefit pillars. We strive to make sure every employee of FedUp Foods feels welcomed, valued, and empowered by fostering a collaborative and adaptable community, providing growth opportunities, and creating a supportive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

Our Values : Agility, Collaboration, Communication, Lifelong Learning, Community, Gratitude

Our Benefits (FT Roles) :

• Health Insurance (company pays 80-90% individual premium)
• Group Term Life Insurance (100% of premium paid by company)
• Vision and Dental Coverage (paid by the employee)
• Voluntary Group Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability (50% of premium paid by company)
• Voluntary Accident Insurance
• Retirement : 401k with Employer Match
• 8 Paid Holidays
• PTO and Sick Time

Position Summary

This role plays as a critical team member in our Brewing Department by assisting the flavor kitchen in handling raw ingredients : including cleaning areas, tanks and other vessels for food safe use, preparing ingredients, juicing, flavoring, mixing and carbonating kombucha and other beverages.

This is a permanent full-time hourly non-exempt position. In order to help ensure all aspects of this position are performed as expected, measurable metrics will be provided along with regularly scheduled performance reviews.

An ideal applicant will be highly skilled, consistently punctual and enjoy working with a variety of skilled individuals who share similar values and goals.

General Duties / Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and clean work environment :
• Advocate a safe working environment by adhering to all PPE requirements and policies, and reporting incidents and near misses to assigned supervisor
• Clean in Place (CIP) Brite Tanks
• Daily routine, and regular deep cleaning and sanitization of equipment, surfaces, floors, drains and other systems
• Annual chemical training, proper cleaning chemical usage and proper chemical titrations
• Conformation of brewing equipment cleanliness thru swabbing, titration or other standard tests
• Follow all SOPs and work instructions
• Prepare flavor recipes according to weekly flavor plan and flavor specific SOPs
• Plan and stage future ingredients
• Thaw, sort, wash, cut, blend, juice or mix ingredients as needed using measurement tools and high speed mixers
• Assemble and utilize large scale cold press juicer
• Inject flavors to correct brite tanks using pumps
• Assist in carbonation of packaging tanks when flavoring is complete to appropriate specifications
• Record accurate data in spreadsheets, logs and in ERP on lot numbers, waste, thawing and amount of ingredients added to each batch

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities

• Follow GMP policy when in the production facility and encourage your team to do the same.
• Understand our SQF policies relating to pest control, visitors, allergen management, and cleaning and sanitation.
• Demonstrate awareness of Management's Commitment to SQF and work towards Food Safety and Quality and help the company meet this commitment.
• If there is a problem that involves food quality and safety, report to the Quality Assurance Manager Manager so that the CAPA (corrective action, preventative action) log may be filled out, the situation be investigated, and resolved with the goal of continuous improvement of food quality and safety.

Required Skills / Abilities

• Forklift and pallet jack experience preferred
• Keen attention to detail
• Accurate measurement conversion
• High standard of cleanliness
• Proficiency with spreadsheet data
• Heightened awareness of safety precautions and hazards for self and others
• Ability to interact effectively at all levels within the organization
• Ability to be agile and flexible
• Positive and team oriented attitude
• We believe in investing in our team members' learning, growth, and relationship building. The person in this role may have the opportunity to travel to our Asheville, NC area headquarters for a week of paid onsite onboarding and learning (with company provided hotel, meal stipend, and mileage reimbursement)
• Shift available : M-F, 7 : 00a-3 : 30p
• Extended shifts, overtime, and weekends may be needed based on business needs
• Flexibility in work hours is necessary to meet operational demands

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum 1 year cellaring / batch mixing work required

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• 30 minute unpaid lunch break; two paid 15 minute breaks
• Ability to stand, walk, and be on your feet for prolonged periods
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and wet environments
• Ability to regularly lift, push, or pull up to 65 pounds
• Ability to bend, squat, crawl, kneel, push, pull, and walk on uneven surfaces regularly

EEO Statement

AKM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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