Description

Bumblebee Production Technician

Reports To: Bumblebee Production Manager

Location: Shipping
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Bumblebee Production Technician supports the rearing, harvesting, quality control, and packaging of bumblebees. This role is essential to maintaining high standards of organism health, environmental cleanliness, and production accuracy. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working with live organisms, and committed to contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Assist in the propagation and rearing of bumblebees according to company protocols.

· Monitor insect life cycles, growth stages, and environmental conditions to ensure healthy production.

· Perform tasks such as feeding, harvesting, sorting, and transferring live insects with precision and care.

· Prepare, package, and label live insect shipments for customer delivery in accordance with quality and safety standards.

· Record production data accurately using established systems (Excel, databases, or other software), including batch numbers, quantities, and developmental observations.

· Conduct routine cleaning and sanitization of production areas, equipment, and workstations to prevent contamination.

· Follow biosecurity, safety, and hygiene protocols strictly, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

· Operate microscopes and stereoscopes to observe insect development and quality.

· Communicate any anomalies in insect behavior, health, or facility conditions to supervisors promptly.

· Support cross-functional tasks including inventory management, supply restocking, and minor facility maintenance.

· Participate in training and continuous improvement initiatives, including troubleshooting and process efficiency projects.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Description

Position Summary

The Site Supervisor oversees daily operations at the insect production site, ensuring efficient workflows, high product quality, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards. This role provides hands-on leadership to production staff engaged in the rearing, processing, and packaging of beneficial insects and mites used in biological pest control. The Site Supervisor coordinates with Operations and Quality teams to meet production goals, maintain facility readiness, and ensure consistent communication across shifts.

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Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily work activities of site staff involved in insect and mite production, processing, and facility maintenance.
• Plan and assign work to optimize productivity, quality, and resource utilization.
• Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sanitation) to maintain optimal production outcomes.
• Train employees in production techniques, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Inspect work areas and equipment for compliance with safety, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Maintain accurate records of inventory, production output, labor, and materials.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and R&D teams to identify and resolve production or product-quality issues.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for site employees.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, state and federal labor regulations, and biosecurity requirements.
• Assist with scheduling, timekeeping, and reporting hours worked to Payroll and HR.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician

Location: Redding

Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Technician supports Beneficial Insectary’s production and laboratory operations by conducting precise arthropod counts, collecting and analyzing data, and maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality. This role ensures product integrity and adherence to quality control procedures through consistent monitoring, documentation, and collaboration with the Quality Assurance Processing Lead and production staff.

The position requires strong attention to detail, familiarity with basic laboratory equipment, and adherence to established protocols and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform meticulous counting and data collection of arthropods using stereoscopes, microscopes, aspirators, and analytical balances.
• Accurately record, organize, and analyze data for quality and production metrics.
• Assist with various QA sampling and analysis methods including Cone-n-cut, Wet counts, Tape counts, Emergence counts, and Aspirator counts.
• Operate computers proficiently to generate reports and ensure timely communication of QA findings.
• Handle arthropods and related biological materials in accordance with PPE and safety standards.
• Assist in sieving tasks and transport of production supplies such as Peat Moss, Vermiculite, and Bran.
• Support production activities including packaging, preparing raw material mixtures, and measuring received products for inventory control.
• Collaborate with peers and leadership to uphold corporate Objectives, Goals, Actions, and Measures (OGAM) for continuous improvement.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and calibration of laboratory work areas and equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

Work in controlled laboratory and production environments with variable temperatures, humidity, and occasional exposure to odors or allergens associated with arthropods.
Extended periods of sitting, standing, and repetitive hand motions.
Close visual acuity for precise work under microscopes and computers.
Ability to safely lift, carry, or move up to 20 lbs with or without accommodation.

Description

Position Summary
We are seeking a Production Supervisor for our Lacewing department to oversee daily operations. This role ensures that production targets are met in both quantity and quality while maintaining high standards of efficiency, safety, and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and execute daily lacewing production plans.
• Oversee preparation of raw materials, including setups, breakdowns, artificial diets, and egg harvesting.
• Monitor and maintain inventory of raw materials and finished products.
• Ensure all production tasks are completed accurately, on time, and in required quantities.
• Train, guide, and support production team members.
• Repair and maintain production materials as needed.
• Collaborate with other departments to meet production goals.
• Ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Other duties as assigned.