Department: Quality Control Location: Survepalli Village, Nellore Dist, Andhra Pradesh Reporting To: Plant Head Industry: Grain-based Distillery / Ethanol / Starch / Biofuels 1. Job Summary: The QC Incharge will be responsible for maintaining quality standards throughout the plant operations including raw material (grain) unloading, grain silos, milling, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, evaporation, drying, and associated utilities like cooling towers. The role also includes chemical preparation, lab analysis, documentation (SOPs), and compliance with safety standards (PESO/NON-PESO). 2. Key Responsibilities: A. Grain Handling & Milling: Inspect incoming grain for moisture, foreign matter, weight, and quality. Approve/reject lots based on QC parameters. Monitor storage in grain silos to prevent spoilage or fungal growth. Ensure pre-milling cleaning and milling output is within quality standards. B. Liquefaction & Saccharification: Analyze mash viscosity, pH, DE value, temperature profile. Maintain enzyme dosing accuracy and process parameters. Ensure microbial contamination is within permissible limits. C. Fermentation: Daily monitoring of pH, temperature, residual sugar, and ethanol content. Test samples for unwanted microbes (e.g., lactic acid bacteria). Optimize nutrient and urea dosing. D. Distillation & MSDH (Molecular Sieve Dehydration): Monitor ethanol purity, fusel oil content, aldehydes, and methanol. Ensure anhydrous ethanol meets BIS/IS specs. Sample and analyze condensate and fusel oil. E. Evaporation, Dryer, Decanter: QC of syrup, spent wash, and DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles). Monitor solids content and BOD/COD of effluents. Ensure moisture content and particle size of DDGS meet standards. F. Cooling Towers & Utilities: Check water quality parameters (pH, hardness, TDS, microbial load). Ensure proper dosing of biocides and descaling agents. Maintain logbooks for tower water quality. G. Chemicals Preparation & Handling: Prepare and standardize lab chemicals and reagents. Monitor chemical inventory and expiry. Ensure safe storage and usage per MSDS guidelines. H. Lab Analysis & Documentation: Calibrate and maintain lab instruments (GC, HPLC, UV, etc.). Maintain lab SOPs, analysis logs, and COAs. Prepare daily QC reports and trend charts. Perform raw material, intermediate, and final product analysis. I. Regulatory Compliance (PESO/NON-PESO): Ensure all PESO-regulated substances are monitored, stored, and recorded correctly. Coordinate with safety officers for compliance audits. Implement corrective actions on audit findings. 3. Qualifications & Skills: Educational Qualifications: B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Chemistry / Industrial Chemistry / Microbiology / Biochemistry DIFAT, Diploma or Certificate in Industrial Safety or Quality Management (preferred) Experience: 8+ years in a QC role in ethanol, distillery, or starch industry. Hands-on experience in fermentation/distillation-based plants. Technical Skills: Lab instrument handling (GC, HPLC, Titrators, etc.) Good knowledge of BIS/ISO/EPA parameters. Familiarity with GMP, GLP, and HACCP protocols. Strong MS Excel & report-writing skills. Soft Skills: Strong attention to detail Analytical mindset Communication & Team leadership Time and stress management 4. KPIs / Success Metrics: 100% compliance in lab audits Rejection rate of final product batches Accuracy and timeliness of reports Zero non-conformance in regulatory inspections (PESO) Reduction in microbial contamination incidents