Process Technician

Sofidel•Lewiston, ID

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Process Technician performs laboratory testing to support manufacturing operations by optimizing processes, calibrating instruments, verifying product quality, controlling raw materials and costs, and assisting with product and process development. The role requires independent work, accurate data collection, equipment calibration, troubleshooting, and reporting of results.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
1–3 years of laboratory experience.
Experience using laboratory equipment.
Intermediate Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Strong analytical, mathematical, and data management skills.
Effective written and verbal communication abilities.

Nice To Haves

Post-secondary coursework in science or a technical field preferred.
Knowledge of paper mill laboratory procedures and manufacturing processes preferred.
Familiarity with Prism, JD Edwards, or similar systems preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform laboratory and wet-end testing on paper machines, including pH, Conductivity, ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential), Freeness, Consistency, Entrained air, Temperature, First-pass retention, Alkalinity, Free chlorine.
Analyze chip slush and verify consistency meter accuracy.
Develop and improve testing procedures.
Compile and present test data in user-friendly formats.
Support machine trials and maintain machine history records.
Monitor fiber losses, chemical usage, and contaminants to reduce production costs.
Inspect machine systems, drains, and effluent sources for fiber loss.
Create maintenance work orders for equipment issues.
Maintain sampling equipment and fiber-loss tracking spreadsheets.
Communicate with operations regarding contamination and waste.
Verify calibration of consistency meters and other process instrumentation.
Perform moisture cross-checks on tissue machine parent rolls.
Calibrate laboratory instruments including pH meters, Conductivity meters, Charge meters, Viscosity meters, ORP probes.
Maintain calibration documentation.
Coordinate with Instrumentation personnel to resolve equipment issues.
Monitor and optimize chemical usage, including retention aids, defoamers, charge control chemicals, stickies control chemicals.
Test chemicals for pH, viscosity, conductivity, ORP, and temperature.
Evaluate pulp quality and compatibility.
Analyze competitor products and potential fiber sources.
Work with chemical suppliers to maintain effective chemical programs.