Quality Control Technician

About the role

This role operates in a manufacturing and quality control laboratory environment focused on paint and coatings production. The Quality Control Color Shader adjusts wet properties and tints a wide variety of liquid coatings to meet precise formula specifications and color standards, ensuring each batch meets quality, color, and appearance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Determine the type and amount of color and gloss additives required to match products to physical standards.
• Use a spectrophotometer (X-Rite) to obtain color values against stored standards and accurately interpret the results.
• Create test panels primarily by hand spraying and visually inspect panels for color, gloss, and overall appearance.
• Collaborate with chemists and supervisors to determine appropriate procedures and additives for out-of-spec products and update formulas to improve color performance in future batches.
• Enter final quality results into a data management program and use historical database information to tint and adjust batches.
• Perform quality control laboratory tests such as viscosity, solids content, and weight per gallon on liquid coatings.
• Physically add tints, flatteners, and other additives directly to production tanks as needed to achieve target specifications.
• Participate in housekeeping procedures, including proper disposal of hazardous waste in accordance with training and environmental, health, and safety guidelines.
• Comply with all quality, safety, and work rules and regulations at all times.
• Clean equipment after use and properly store all tools, instruments, and materials.
• Support continuous improvement by understanding and using performance metrics such as FRC (hits per batch), cycle time, and on-time delivery to identify and drive QC process enhancements.
• Manipulate and analyze QC data using Excel and Access databases to support decision-making and troubleshooting.
• Communicate clearly with team members, supervisors, and chemists to share test results, issues, and recommendations.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment, contributing to shared goals and supporting colleagues as needed.
• Receive and provide instructions in a positive, constructive manner and follow through on assigned tasks.
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned that support the overall quality control and production processes.

Requirements

• Successful completion of color matching and math assessments with acceptable scores.
• Excellent color vision to distinguish subtle differences in shades, tones, and gloss levels.
• Strong math skills, including the ability to perform metric-to-standard conversions and batch-related calculations.
• Hands-on experience with wet chemistry, wet testing, and basic QC laboratory procedures.
• Ability to use a spectrophotometer (such as X-Rite) and interpret color measurement data.
• Proficiency in manipulating QC data in Excel and Access databases.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and use of ERP systems and office equipment.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills for documenting results and interacting with cross-functional teams.
• High attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and manage multiple batches or tests simultaneously.
• Ability to follow quality, safety, and work rules consistently and accurately.
• Capability to receive and follow instructions in a positive and professional manner.
• Willingness to work in a team environment and contribute actively to group goals.

Qualifications

• Preferred education level: Associate’s degree, two-year college degree, or equivalent education.
• Preferred experience level: Three or more years of experience in batch creation, wet testing, color matching, and paint or coatings characteristics in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience working with paint, coatings, and color matching processes.
• Familiarity with performance metrics such as FRC (hits per batch), cycle time, and on-time delivery to support continuous improvement in QC processes.
• Experience using ERP systems to enter, track, and review production and quality data.
• Strong team-building skills and the ability to foster effective communication within the team.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear instructions and feedback to colleagues in a constructive manner.

Work Environment

This role involves working with liquid coatings, tints, flatteners, and other additives, as well as handling hazardous materials in accordance with environmental, health, and safety training. You will regularly use laboratory instruments such as spectrophotometers, perform hand spraying to create test panels, and work at computers using Microsoft Office, databases, and ERP systems.

Schedule

First-shift pattern, typically Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $25.00/hr.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include the following:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available.
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents).
• Short and long-term disability.
• Health Spending Account (HSA).
• Transportation benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire, fully onsite position based in Batavia, IL.