Laboratory Technician

About the role

This position is accountable for executing efficient and effective sample preps, tests and evaluations to ensure that finished products, raw materials and effluents meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements, Quality Control (QC) best practices and for specialized functions to support the laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Drives and ensures 100% compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE), housekeeping and quality standards.
• Ensures 100% compliance with training requirements (individually and team, if applicable).
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) on any quality non-conformance.
• Follows and proposes improvements to customer standards.
• Meets objectives as per WORKDAY.
• Support the sites commitment to ISO 9001 Quality Management System, Quality Objectives and other goals as applicable in accordance with the Quality Policy, responsible for and authorized to:
• Initiate action to report and prevent the occurrence of any non-conformity relating to the product, process, and quality system.
• Control further processing or delivery of non-conforming product until the deficiencies or unsatisfactory condition have been corrected.
• Use the Corrective and Preventative Action program and Internal Audit process to initiate, recommend and resolve product issues or quality system failures.
• Monitor product quality and participate in resolving the operational issues related to product quality.
• Sampling, testing, and entering results into ERP System (JDEdwards).
• Calibration of analytical equipment.
• Capability of performing most Quality Lab Assurance written test methods and evaluate and approve/reject all products.
• Proficient use of all instrumentation including troubleshooting all laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Assist in setting up procedures for instrumentation and in repairing and maintaining lab equipment and instrumentation.
• Assist in reviewing and updating older test methods.
• Follows acceptable procedures for troubleshooting customer rejected products.
• Identify unknown products through analysis.
• Maintains monthly lab chemical inventory and removing all expired chemicals, reagents, buffer, solutions.
• Advise plant supervision of off-specification material or unusual analytical results.
• Perform special or fill-in analyses as required.
• Accumulate data to determine plant operational trends.
• Perform side-by-side analysis with Operators and keep comparative data.
• Change daily work schedule to accommodate plant priorities, when necessary.
• Analyze and maintain detailed records of all calibrations and instrument PMs.
• Provide information to customers as required.
• Conduct analysis as required to resolve customer quality issues.
• Provide all necessary analytical report forms including daily, weekly, and monthly production.
• Works safely, maintains a safe work environment, attends safety training and other related meetings, and actively participates in all safety programs.
• Knows all safety policies and procedures, safety standards, and reports all incidents immediately.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years Associate Degree (Bachelor’s Degree preferred).
• Minimum 1–2+ years of laboratory analysis experience in an industrial laboratory environment.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills required.
• Capacity to work with limited supervision and support, in a rapidly changing and fast-paced environment.
• Must possess demonstrated ability to teach/train operators on laboratory methods.
• Demonstrated ability to interact in a collaborative manner with other departments, teams and stakeholders.
• Fluent verbal and written skills required to communicate within the operations team and with other departments.
• Ability to collect and interpret data into information and fact-based solutions and planning using creativity and imagination.
• Evaluates based on measurable or verifiable criteria.
• Proficiency in the use of computer software programs and systems.
• All qualified applicants must be craft certified or possess the ability to pass a craft test, as well as the ability to pass a criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen and other qualifications as required.

Equipment Frequently Used

• Spectrophotometer
• Precision lab balances
• Wet chemistry methods – moisture content, filtrations, titrations, etc.
• Surface Area Analyzer
• LECO Analyzer
• Beckman Coulter Sedigraph
• Micromeritics Sedigraph
• Pigment Mullers
• Moisture Analyzer
• Fisher Subsieve Average Particle Size Analyzer
• Speed Mixer