Sr. Technician Test (Packaging Lab)

Position title: Sr. Test Technician

Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

The Sr. Test Technician is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Material and Transit Packaging Labs. The Test Technician must be able to work procedurally, accurately, and independently to consistently deliver precise lab results. The Sr. Test Technician oversees the testing of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging but is not limited to these formats. The Sr. Test Technician will maintain the lab testing schedule, perform tests, and purchase any necessary lab supplies to support testing. They must be able to collaborate with multiple people and prioritize various projects based on business needs. They are responsible for ensuing safety and certification of all people working in the lab. Occasionally they will also need to assist with implementation of new lab procedures/policies, mentoring packaging interns, and giving lab tours to educate internal and external partners.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Material & Transit Testing: 

  • Must be/become ISTA PDP certified and maintain ISTA requirements to lead testing in the Transit Lab.
  • Assures all tests are performed safely and in accordance with ISTA and Hershey standards, while maintaining a safe working environment for all people in the labs.
  • Has the understanding and capabilities to operate 18+ pieces of equipment used in both Packaging Labs and maintain necessary operational certifications for all equipment.
  • Ensures the labs are clean and kept in a neat appearance.
  • Reviews and process test requests – verifies information provided and works with the test requestor, as needed, to ensure requested testing meets test objective.
  • Maintains and schedules lab calendar and resources – preforms or assigns testing to trained resources.
  • Guides and assists engineers with specimen preparation – ensures proper application of stretch wrapping/ banding practices are followed. Knowledge of appropriate conditioning times for materials. Helps with repacking/prepping test specimen as time permits.
  • If requester requires testing outside of normal HSY tests, technician works with the engineer to develop test plan and methodology. May require working with equipment manufacture and/or HSY maintenance to build custom fixtures.
  • Assures test is complete, on time, and performed correctly.
  • Assures all necessary test information is collected, including photo’s, videos, and observations.
  • Uses collected information from test to create a Packaging Lab test report.
  • Adds Packaging Lab reports to SharePoint.
  • Notifies test Requester and Owner of test completion.
  • Enters date of completed reports into Schedule Log.
  • Responds to any questions from Test Requester and/or Owner regarding completed test.
• Warehouse: 
  • Sr. Test Technician must obtain and maintain license to operate a Forklift.
  • Assures the recommended safety procedures are adhered to in the storing and retrieving of all items in warehousing areas.
  • Maintains a clean work area.
  • Receives in product, packaging material, and test specimens for testing.
  • Stores and tracks all product, packaging materials, and test specimens until needed for testing.
  • Assures correct disposition of all products, packaging materials, and test specimen.
  • Assures there are Block (testing) Pallets in acceptable testing condition and remove damaged and unacceptable pallets from lab.
• Administrative: 
  • ​​​​​​​
  • Receives Test Requests from Packaging Engineers, Hsy Plant QC, or Hsy Tech Center Scientists/Engineers and log into the Packaging Test Log Tracker.
  • Maintains the Lot Tracking of product brought into the Packaging Lab.
  • Data mining lab SharePoint for historical testing to assist engineers with decision making on current projects.
    • Finding prior testing results saves time and resources.
  • Communicates with test requester and/or owner when testing is finished, for inspection purposes.
  • Finalizes lab test reports and post report into SharePoint.
  • Notifies test requester and/or owner when the Packaging Lab report is posted in SharePoint.
  • Adds Engineers Test Summary to Packaging Labs report to finalize reporting process.
  • Ensures all equipment is maintained and is in working order.
  • Schedules internal and external maintenance, repairs, and equipment certifications.
  • Orders lab supplies and maintains Pcard to pay for purchases.
  • Pays annual license fees for Packaging Labs and others within the Engineering Group using Pcard.
  • Coordination of product donation to VA and MHS – ensuring product is fit to be donated.
  • Prepares the annual Donation Data form of the Packaging Lab for corporate collection.
  • Prepares an expected spending budget for Packaging Lab expenditures.
  • Maintains the Works account.

• Licenses/Certifications: 

  • Obtains and maintains six Hershey required licenses and certifications to operate equipment in lab. The six include, forklift, ladder, fire extinguisher, power jack, hazardous spill, and confined space.
  • Obtains and maintains Packaging Dynamics Professional (ISTA PDP) certification program.
    • This includes individual and overall lab certification with keeping lab certification up to date.

Desired Skills

• Can discuss and explain testing procedures for ISTA, ASTM, and TAPPI, with Test Requesters and Owners, and assists in recommending testing to Test Requesters the best test to meet their goals.
• Strives to have excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and can pay attention to details.
• Can work under pressure, sometimes in extended hours, to meet urgent testing timelines.
• Knowledge to manage lab activities, equipment, and to deliver all aspects of Packaging Lab Services for our internal customers.
• Communicate effectively, show cooperation and consideration when communicating or interacting with customers.
• Encourages teamwork, problem solving.
• Has knowledge of Word, Excel, MS Photo, PowerPoint, MS Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, MS Edge, and the Works programs.​​​​​​​

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