Senior Lab Technician

Land O'Lakes•Hampton, IA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position has above average analytical ability. Performs both routine and nonroutine quality control testing including the trouble shooting of instrumentation problems. The Senior Lab Technician is responsible for completing physical testing and chemical analysis on samples as well as other assigned jobs on time in a proper manner. They must accurately complete testing and analysis to minimize retests on the same sample and understand and follow lab and company policies. This role is also responsible for the proper identification, categorization, isolation, remediation, and containerizing of RCRA hazardous waste generated in the assigned process area in accordance with all appropriate regulatory and company regulatory requirements. Additionally, they monitor the supply of standardization reagents, AI standards, internal standards, and mobile phase solutions, preparing them as needed. The Senior Lab Technician must notify the Lab Leader or Supervisor of all discrepancies in results or other indications of analytical problems and maintain a good relationship with all areas of the plant and plant management. They will also assist in Division and Plant quality programs as requested and be a complete self-starter, think for themselves, and pay great attention to detail. Must be fully certified on Senior Level Lab Technician procedures within 12 months of promotion and be recertified biennially. A Senior Lab Technician will not be considered for promotion if he/she is on probation for any reason.

Requirements

A minimum of four (4) years in a commercial laboratory performing physical testing.
Minimum of four (4) years performing HPLC/GC chemical analysis.
Minimum of four (4) years of experience troubleshooting HPLC & GC instrument issues.
Demonstrated ability to accurately perform routine and non-routine tasks with limited supervision.
Understand and recognize sources of error in analytical work.
Demonstrated ability to relate past experiences with current situations.
Ability to assist in development and/or writing of new procedures and revising old procedures.
Excellent communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
Working knowledge of production & packaging.
General knowledge of plant production/packaging QC sampling techniques.
Excellent knowledge of basic lab instruments used for physical testing.
Proficient understanding and ability to perform chemical analysis using HPLC and GC.
General ability to troubleshoot problems related to HPLC & GC analysis instrumentation.
Highly knowledgeable in appropriate ways of handling of RCRA hazardous wastes generated by the lab processes in accordance with all appropriate regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated experience of leadership ability.
Show increased skills for training lower level positions beyond Mid-level Lab technician requirements.
Has a good working knowledge of the production areas.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of ICP operation and nutrient analysis.
A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or other related science field with lab work in general, analytical and/or organic chemistry is preferred.
Suitable laboratory work experience may be substituted for a Bachelor's degree.
B. S. Degree in Chemistry.

Responsibilities

Performs both routine and nonroutine quality control testing.
Troubleshoots instrumentation problems.
Completes physical testing and chemical analysis on samples.
Accurately completes testing and analysis to minimize retests.
Understands and follows lab and company policies.
Responsible for proper identification, categorization, isolation, remediation, and containerizing RCRA hazardous waste.
Monitors supply of standardization reagents, AI standards, internal standards, and mobile phase solutions.
Prepares internal standard and mobile phase solutions as needed.
Notifies the Lab Leader or Supervisor of all discrepancies in results or other indications of analytical problems.
Maintains a good relationship with all areas of the plant and plant management.
Assists in Division and Plant quality programs as requested.
Provides training to lower level lab technicians on lab procedures/techniques.
Recognizes complex problems with lab analytical equipment and resolves them with minimal support.
Recognizes analytical problems and knows typical techniques to resolve them.
Writes new analytical procedures or updates existing procedures.
Performs special projects with minimal support.
Sets up analytical instrumentation for a new campaign on an existing product line.