Quality Assurance Chemist

Ecolab Inc.•Vancouver, WA

7d•$74,700 - $112,200•Onsite

About The Position

Ecolab is seeking a Quality Assurance Chemist to join its team in Vancouver, Washington. This role ensures product quality, regulatory compliance, and laboratory excellence through inspection, testing, documentation management, and continuous improvement. It supports manufacturing, warehouse, and quality systems activities by conducting inspections, maintaining laboratory operations, investigating quality issues, and supporting internal and external audits. The chemist serves as a technical resource to Operations and Warehouse teams while maintaining compliance with company, customer, and regulatory requirements. The position works in a laboratory and manufacturing environment, with frequent standing, walking, and movement throughout production and warehouse areas. It may involve occasional lifting of laboratory supplies and samples, use of required personal protective equipment, and exposure to chemicals, laboratory reagents, and manufacturing processes under established safety procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related scientific field.
Two years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, laboratory testing, or manufacturing quality systems.
Knowledge of laboratory techniques, analytical testing, and quality documentation practices.
Experience with equipment calibration, maintenance, and laboratory recordkeeping.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience in root cause analysis.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic quality management systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience in chemical manufacturing or related industries.
Water chemistry experience.
Familiarity with ISO or Responsible Care standards.
Experience supporting internal and external audits.
Knowledge of quality management systems and change control processes.
Experience with environmental compliance programs and stormwater inspections.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Ability to interpret specifications, testing requirements, and quality standards.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Effective organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Strong customer service mindset when supporting internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Perform batch inspections in accordance with Quality Control Requirements (QCR).
Prepare reagents, standards, and test solutions for laboratory testing.
Conduct non-routine testing, sample preparation, and special project work as required.
Review inspection methods, specifications, and testing requirements through the Management of Change (MOC) process.
Inspect, calibrate, verify, and maintain laboratory equipment.
Maintain inventory of laboratory consumables, chemicals, reagents, and testing supplies.
Maintain accurate records related to inspections, reagent preparation, equipment calibration, and laboratory activities.
Dispose of expired chemicals and reagents in accordance with company safety and environmental procedures.
Maintain laboratory notebooks and quality records in accordance with retention requirements.
Support external audits and certification activities, including NSF, Kosher, Halal, ISO, and Responsible Care (RC) programs.
Maintain audit-ready documentation and records.
Review and maintain laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
Review controlled documents through the Electronic Quality Management System (eQMS).
Submit and manage Quality Change Requests (QCRs) and correction requests as needed.
Perform root cause analysis (RCA) for first-pass failures and quality deviations.
Recommend material treatment, rework, release, or disposition decisions.
Support customer complaints, laboratory inquiries, quality investigations, and corrective actions.
Identify and implement process and quality improvement opportunities.
Participate in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives and cross-functional improvement projects.
Review blocked, restricted, expired, and short shelf-life inventory for disposition decisions.
Coordinate management and physical inventory of restricted and blocked stock.
Provide quality support related to material status, release decisions, and inventory controls.
Record, communicate, and escalate safety and quality observations.
Conduct stormwater inspections and disposition evaluations.
Support environmental compliance programs and site safety initiatives.
Promote a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.