Lab Technician

Milliken and Company•Gainesville, FL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The QC Lab Technician 1 works at Milliken’s Laurel site in Gainesville, Florida, facilitating timely and accurate analysis of samples submitted to the Quality Control Laboratory and responding to internal customer needs. The role performs a broad range of laboratory analyses and supports laboratory instruments and processes, including titration, FT-IR, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, wastewater testing, viscosity testing, and sample inspections. The technician also maintains records, uses laboratory and ERP systems, follows applicable SOPs and quality requirements, and contributes to safety, environmental, and Responsible Care programs. This position is based in a manufacturing facility and is safety-sensitive. It involves working around moving mechanical parts and powered industrial vehicles in a generally loud environment; temperatures can exceed 100°F and humidity can exceed 98%. The position uses a Pitman schedule with 12-hour shifts. Shifts rotate through nights and weekends, with weekends and holidays scheduled according to business demands and holidays worked on occasion. The shift schedule depends on openings at the time of hire and is communicated in new-hire paperwork.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Some college-level chemistry.
Demonstrated work history.
One to three years of manufacturing and/or laboratory experience, or a combination of the two.
Ability to work well with others within and outside the QC department.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Ability to multitask and prioritize workload while adapting to changes in standard priorities.
Ability to function with minimal supervision after an appropriate training period.
Ability to stand while working for approximately 50% of the day; sit for approximately 15%; move throughout the plant for approximately 10%; lift at least 25 pounds without assistance for approximately 10%; use stairs or ladders for approximately 5%; and bend or stoop for approximately 10%.
Visual acuity sufficient to read printed information and computer screens, and the ability to make decisions, reason, and understand information.
Use required personal protective equipment: ear plugs, steel-toe safety shoes, safety glasses, safety gloves, and an FR lab coat.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and one to three years of laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

Facilitate timely and accurate analysis of samples submitted to the Quality Control Laboratory and respond to internal customer needs.
Perform laboratory testing and analyses, including pH, wastewater ammonia and sulfates, non-volatile residue, viscosity, refractive index, color, turbidity, SiH, flashpoint, chloride by ion chromatography, and drum inspections and sampling.
Operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and instruments, including balances, pipettes, viscometers, refractometers, colorimeters, turbidimeters, particle counters, autotitrators, FT-IR instruments, gas chromatographs, and liquid chromatographs.
Prepare and standardize titrants; maintain pH and silver billet electrodes; and perform related electrode checks and maintenance.
Load analytical methods, set instrument conditions and flows, inject samples, interpret results, and perform maintenance tasks for chromatography instruments.
Handle Request for Analytical Services forms, access laboratory folders and forms, use the electronic Sample Log, and navigate QC-related aspects of the ERP system.
Maintain accurate, neat, and legible records and reports, and manage workload and time effectively.
Maintain familiarity with and comply with applicable SOPs, the Milliken Quality Policy, relevant ISO 9000 standards, company policies, and plant procedures.
Adhere to plant safety policies and compliance regulations; complete required safety training; participate in safety audits, projects, meetings, and improvement activities; and maintain good housekeeping.
Follow applicable Responsible Care Management System requirements and help reduce waste, prevent pollution, conserve energy, and improve environmental, health, safety, security, and Responsible Care performance.
Promote quality and safety awareness and environmental awareness through interactions with other departments and by example.
Maintain prompt and regular attendance, function as a member of the department, and perform other duties as assigned.