The Instrument Technician is responsible for maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting analytical and process instrumentation used within the Quality Department. The role ensures accurate, reliable, and timely measurement results, supporting the brewery's commitment to product quality, food safety, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
Instrument Maintenance & Calibration
Develop and document preventative maintenance schedules for all laboratory equipment
Review and provide input on preventative maintenance schedules for inspection equipment
Perform routine calibration, verification, and preventative maintenance on laboratory and process instruments (e.g., HPLC, spectrophotometers, balances, pH meters, CO?/O? analyzers, density meters)
Maintain calibration records to ensure instruments meet quality and compliance requirements (ISO, HACCP, and brewery-specific standards)
Coordinate external service, calibration, and certification where required
Ensure availability of critical spare parts for laboratory equipment
Manage the master equipment list and use performance trends to identify potential improvements or changes
Troubleshooting & Repairs
Work with vendors and service providers to resolve advanced troubleshooting or repair requirements
Minimize downtime of critical quality control equipment
Quality Assurance Support
Support the Quality team by ensuring instrument reliability and accurate analytical results
Validate new instruments and analytical methods prior to routine testing
Support internal and external audits by ensuring equipment compliance and documentation is current
Documentation & Compliance
Maintain accurate calibration logs, SOPs, and maintenance records
Ensure compliance with brewery quality systems, safety standards, and regulatory requirements
Participate in internal and external audits by providing instrument documentation and demonstrating compliance
Coach team members on SOPs and conduct job observations to reinforce compliance and safe practices
Scope and implement maintenance schedules aligned to quality assurance system requirements
Maintenance Budget Planning
Assist in planning and monitoring the annual budget for instrument maintenance, calibration, and spare parts
Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining equipment reliability and performance
Provide input for capital expenditure on new or replacement equipment
Continuous Improvement
Recommend improvements to testing methods, instrumentation, and maintenance practices
Stay updated on new technologies and techniques in brewing quality control
Drive optimization of inspection equipment to improve accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of quality measurements
Qualifications & Experience
National Diploma in Instrumentation, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Millwright, or related field
Minimum of 1-2 years' experience in instrumentation or analytical equipment maintenance, preferably in a food & beverage or brewery environment
Strong knowledge of calibration standards, troubleshooting techniques, and electronic/electrical systems
Experience with brewery-specific laboratory equipment advantageous (e.g., Anton Paar instruments, oxygen meters, carbonation testers)
Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, ISO 9001, or FSSC 22000 systems beneficial
Skills & Attributes
Strong technical and problem-solving ability
High attention to detail with a high level of accuracy
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with quality and production teams
Good communication and record-keeping skills
Commitment to health, safety, and quality standards
Strong documentation and record-keeping ability
NB:
Specific duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time. The above list indicates the general nature of the position and is not exhaustive. The post holder is expected to be flexible in supporting the business by undertaking any other responsibilities aligned with this job level.
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