Lab Technician

Bunge • Decatur, AL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Technician performs sampling and routine testing to determine the chemical and physical characteristics or composition of solid and liquid materials, ensuring process and quality control measures are effective. The technician follows policies and procedures to exceed Good Laboratory Practices requirements and help maintain the image of a reliable and efficient analytical laboratory.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Self-starter with good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, sometimes without supervision.
• Ability to read and interpret written or oral directives, diagrams, schedules, safety rules, operating instructions, drawings, and production schedules.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to contribute to Root Cause Failure Analysis reviews.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions efficiently.
• Ability to solve practical problems and handle a variety of concrete variables where standardization is limited.
• Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, and on-call as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in a science or technical field.
• Four to six years of laboratory experience in oils and fats, food processing, grain milling, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or a related industry.
• Experience with an ERP system such as SAP.

Responsibilities

• Perform physical and chemical testing of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
• Verify that test results conform to product and customer specifications.
• Deliver test results in a timely manner; issue certificates of analysis, file testing information, and maintain analysis databases.
• Prepare chemical solutions according to standard formulas.
• Follow laboratory safety regulations, including use of eye and hand protection and proper use of fume hoods or other breathing protection.
• Set up, adjust, and operate laboratory equipment, including gas and liquid chromatographs, balances, colorimeters, refractometers, and related equipment.
• Calibrate instruments used in plant Quality Control lab stations and the QA laboratory on a scheduled frequency.
• Assist with laboratory upkeep, preventive maintenance, and cleaning of instruments, glass bottles, vials, tubes, counters, cabinets, and fixtures.
• Maintain inventory of laboratory chemicals, ensuring secure storage, adequate supply, safe and correct waste disposal, and removal of expired stock.
• Update and maintain critical logs and generate related graphs, charts, and tables.
• Maintain and audit records essential for quality assurance, traceability, product recall, sanitation, HACCP, and hazardous waste management.
• Troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation and maintenance issues, as well as product quality problems.
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plan options.
• 401(k) plan with an automatic 5% company contribution and matching up to 4% of employee contributions.
• Six weeks of 100% paid parental leave and fertility coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually.
• PTO based on professional work experience: 25 days for 0–9 years, 30 days for 10–19 years, and 35 days for 20 or more years.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED