Senior Lab Technician - 2nd Shift

Land O'Lakes•Hampton, IA

About The Position

The Senior Lab Technician performs routine and nonroutine quality-control testing, including troubleshooting instrumentation problems. The position requires strong analytical judgment to evaluate results for accuracy, credibility, and compliance with specifications, identify issues, and investigate or help resolve errors and product-quality problems. The technician works primarily in laboratory areas, receives minimal direct supervision, and may train lower-level technicians. The role also involves handling laboratory-generated RCRA hazardous waste in accordance with applicable regulatory and company requirements.

Requirements

At least four years of experience in a commercial laboratory performing physical testing and HPLC/GC chemical analysis.
Experience troubleshooting HPLC and GC instrument issues.
Ability to accurately perform routine and nonroutine tasks with limited supervision.
Ability to recognize sources of error in analytical work and relate past experience to current situations.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
Working knowledge of production and packaging, including plant production and packaging quality-control sampling techniques.
Excellent knowledge of basic laboratory instruments used for physical testing and proficiency performing chemical analysis using HPLC and GC.
Ability to interpret analytical results for accuracy, credibility, and compliance with specifications and to investigate problems and errors.
Ability to recognize product-quality problems and assist operations in resolving or minimizing them.
Knowledge of appropriate handling of laboratory-generated RCRA hazardous waste in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated leadership ability and ability to train lower-level positions.
Ability to write or update analytical procedures, work on special projects with minimal support, and set up analytical instrumentation for a new campaign on an existing product line.
Must not be on probation for any reason to be considered for promotion.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related science field, with laboratory work in general, analytical, and/or organic chemistry; suitable laboratory work experience may be substituted.
Knowledge of ICP operation and nutrient analysis.
Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

Responsibilities

Complete physical testing and chemical analysis on samples and other assigned work accurately and on time.
Minimize retesting by completing testing and analysis accurately.
Follow laboratory and company policies.
Identify, categorize, isolate, remediate, and containerize RCRA hazardous waste generated in the assigned process area in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
Monitor supplies of standardization reagents, AI standards, internal standards, and mobile-phase solutions, and notify the Lab Leader or Supervisor of shortages.
Prepare internal-standard and mobile-phase solutions when needed because of shortages, new-product analysis, or analysis issues.
Notify the Lab Leader or Supervisor of result discrepancies and other indications of analytical problems.
Maintain good working relationships with plant personnel and plant management.
Assist with Division and Plant quality programs as requested.
Troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation and analytical problems, resolving complex issues with minimal support when possible.
Assist in developing or writing new analytical procedures and revising existing procedures.
Train lower-level laboratory technicians on procedures and techniques, including physical testing, HPLC/GC analysis, and troubleshooting.
Perform special projects with minimal support and set up analytical instrumentation for new campaigns on existing product lines.
Become fully certified on Senior Level Lab Technician procedures within 12 months of promotion and complete recertification biennially.