Lab Technician

Bunge • Decatur, IL

1d

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, helping ensure that process and quality control measures are effective. The technician follows policies and procedures to exceed Good Laboratory Practices requirements and maintain the image of a reliable, efficient analytical laboratory.

The position performs physical and chemical testing on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products; verifies results against product and customer specifications; and provides timely test results and certificates of analysis. It also involves maintaining testing records and databases, preparing chemical solutions, operating and calibrating laboratory instruments, troubleshooting equipment and product-quality issues, and supporting laboratory upkeep, inventory, safety, and quality-assurance records.

The role requires rotating shifts and may require overtime, weekends, holidays, and on-call work as needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• The ideal candidate has 4–6 years of laboratory experience in oils and fats, food processing, grain milling, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or a related industry.
• 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 varied concrete situations with limited standardization.
• 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.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience with an ERP system such as SAP.

Responsibilities

• Perform physical and chemical testing of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
• Verify test results against 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 according to scheduled frequencies.
• Support general laboratory upkeep, including preventive maintenance and cleaning instruments, glass bottles, vials, tubes, counters, cabinets, and fixtures.
• Maintain laboratory chemical inventory, ensuring secure storage, adequate supply, safe and correct waste disposal, and prevention of expired-stock storage.
• Update and maintain critical logs and generate related graphs, charts, and tables.
• Maintain and audit records of products and procedures related to 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 choices.
• 401(k) retirement plan with an automatic 5% company contribution and matching up to 4% of employee contributions.
• Six weeks of 100% paid parental leave.
• 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED