Sr. Quality Technician - 1st Shift - 6am to 2:30pm

AkzoNobel•Waukegan, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Quality Control Technician conducts advanced inspection, testing, and quality verification to ensure products and processes at AkzoNobel’s Waukegan site meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements. The role serves as a technical resource for the Quality team, applying expertise in inspection methods, defect identification, data analysis, and problem-solving to support product conformity and manufacturing excellence. It partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, RDI, and other site stakeholders to identify risks, investigate nonconformances, support corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement. The technician evaluates raw materials, batches, and finished products; conducts laboratory tests; reviews results and may authorize batches for filling when specifications are met. The position also supports audits, process reviews, inspection documentation, customer sample qualification, and coaching of other Quality Control Technicians. The listed schedule is first shift, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Requirements

Associate degree in a scientific-related discipline such as Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or Quality, with at least two years of laboratory experience; or five or more years of laboratory, quality control, or manufacturing quality experience.
Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment.
Proficiency in basic mathematics and computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods throughout the work shift.
Ability to safely lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to wear respiratory protection equipment and successfully pass required respirator fit testing.
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to quality and safety standards.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field.
Knowledge of quality systems, testing methodologies, and continuous improvement principles, with at least one year of laboratory experience.
Experience using laboratory instruments, data management systems, and quality-related software applications.

Responsibilities

Perform batch inspections, testing, and quality evaluations of materials, components, and finished products.
Serve as an expert resource on quality inspection methods, standards, and testing procedures.
Support root-cause investigations, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
Provide coaching and technical guidance to Quality Control Technicians.
Ensure compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards.
Participate in audits, process reviews, and continuous improvement activities.
Support development and maintenance of inspection plans, procedures, and work instructions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and prevent recurrence.
Assist in validating process changes, new products, and quality improvement initiatives.
Conduct tests including viscosity, gloss, hardness, weight per gallon, non-volatile content, cleanliness, adhesion, and paint film properties.
Test raw materials.
Evaluate off-specification batches and prepare adjustment recommendations in accordance with approved specifications, control limits, and operating procedures.
Partner with Quality, Operations, and RDI stakeholders to troubleshoot manufacturing and product performance issues, identify root causes, and implement resolutions.
Coordinate preparation and distribution of pre-shipment samples for customer qualification, approval, and satisfaction requirements.
Promote workplace organization and operational excellence through participation in 5S, laboratory housekeeping, and continuous improvement activities.
Review batch test results and authorize release for filling when product specifications and quality standards are satisfied.
Escalate nonconforming batch results to Quality management, RDI, and Quality Assurance for evaluation, disposition, and resolution.