3rd Shift Quality Control Lab Technician

Quad/Graphics; Town of Hartford (WI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings

Paid time off

Holidays

Additional benefits

Job summary

Quad CR/T in Hartford, WI is seeking a Quality Control Lab Technician to join our Chemistry/Research & Technology team. You will perform quality control testing on inks and raw materials, measure properties, and ensure materials meet specifications before production.

You will work with solvents, resins, pigments, and substrates, gaining experience in color science, ink quality, and industrial lab practices within a dedicated CR/T facility.

Qualifications

• A two-year technical degree in Chemistry, Quality Control, or a related field is required.
• Experience in ink, paint, coatings, chemical, or materials industries is valued.
• Experience with weighing, mixing, testing, and sample replication in a lab setting.
• Basic knowledge of chemistry and statistics.
• Algebra and arithmetic used in formulation calculations is expected.
• Proficiency with Excel including data plots and calculations.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office and learning new software.
• Ability to distinguish and assess color and complete the Munsell color test.
• Strong attention to detail and accurate result documentation.
• Ability to follow SOPs and maintain organized lab records.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality control testing on printing inks and raw materials.
• Evaluate and match ink color using lab instrumentation and visual assessment.
• Measure physical properties and compare results against specifications.
• Weigh, mix, prepare, and test laboratory samples using established procedures.
• Test solvents, powders, resins, pigments, and substrates.
• Use lab equipment for routine and non-routine testing.
• Record, analyze, and communicate test results.
• Use Excel and other software to analyze data and create plots.
• Follow SOPs and maintain a safe lab environment.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and technical teams to support needs.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Color matching

Laboratory practices

PPE safety

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Two-year technical degree in Chemistry/Quality Control

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

As a global marketing experience company, Quad’s goal is to help our clients win every day. We use our data-driven integrated marketing and manufacturing platform to streamline solutions for our clients, reduce friction and enhance their marketing spend effectiveness. We’ve built a rich legacy by believing in our people, allowing them to act like owners and to take charge of their own success. Whether an operator, sales rep, a graphic artist or a clinician, we’re all driven to perform at our best— for ourselves and our clients. At our core, we’re a company that believes we can always create a better way.

Quality Control Lab Technician

Location: Quad – Chemical Research & Technology (CR/T) Facility, Hartford, WI

Pay: $20.00 – $25.00 / hour, based on relevant experience, education, and technical skills

Shift Premium: Additional $3.00 / hour for night shift

Shift

• Night Shift | 7:00 pm – 7:00 am
• Monday–Wednesday
• Consistent three-day workweek

Education/Experience Required: A two-year technical degree in Chemistry, Quality Control, or a comparable scientific field is required. Relevant experience in the ink, paint, coatings, chemical, or materials industry may be considered for candidates who demonstrate a strong level of technical knowledge.

Please Note: This position is located at Quad's Chemical Research & Technology (CR/T) facility in Hartford, WI—not the Quad print manufacturing campus off Highway 60.

Build the Products Behind the Products

Every day, millions of people see the printed products Quad manufactures across North America. Behind the color and quality of those products are the specialized inks developed and manufactured at Quad's Chemical Research & Technology (CR/T) facility.

CR/T is Quad's ink dispersion manufacturing operation, producing specialized inks and related materials that support our nationwide printing network. Our laboratory team plays an important role in that process—ensuring inks and raw materials meet exacting standards for color, consistency, and performance.

If you enjoy hands‑on laboratory work, working with color, and seeing how laboratory testing directly impacts a finished product, this is an opportunity to put your technical skills to work in a unique manufacturing environment.

Position Summary

Quad is seeking a Quality Control Lab Technician to join our CR/T team in Hartford, Wisconsin.

In this role, you'll perform quality control testing and color matching on printing inks and raw materials. You'll use laboratory instrumentation to measure physical properties, visually evaluate color, prepare and test samples, and help ensure materials meet established specifications before they're used in production.

You'll also work with solvents, powders, resins, pigments, substrates, and printed materials while gaining valuable experience in ink quality, color science, materials testing, and industrial laboratory practices.

What You'll Do

• Perform quality control testing on printing inks and raw materials.
• Evaluate and match ink color using laboratory instrumentation and visual assessment.
• Measure physical properties and compare results against established specifications.
• Weigh, mix, prepare, and test laboratory samples using established procedures.
• Test materials including solvents, powders, resins, pigments, printed materials, and substrates.
• Use specialized laboratory equipment and instrumentation for routine and non-routine testing.
• Perform calculations related to formulations and mixed compositions.
• Record, analyze, and communicate laboratory test results.
• Use Excel and other software tools to perform calculations, analyze data, and create plots.
• Follow standard operating procedures and established laboratory practices.
• Properly use required PPE when working with chemicals and laboratory materials.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and technical teams to support quality and production needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Two-year technical degree in Chemistry, Quality Control, or a comparable scientific field.
• Relevant experience in the ink, paint, coatings, chemical, or materials industry may be considered for candidates with strong demonstrated technical knowledge.
• Experience with general laboratory practices, including weighing, mixing, testing, and sample replication.
• Basic working knowledge of chemistry and statistics.
• Working knowledge of algebra and arithmetic used in formulation and composition calculations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including calculations and data plots.
• General proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and comfort learning new software.
• Ability to accurately distinguish and assess color and complete the Munsell color test.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, consistent results.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and accurately document test results.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain a clean, orderly laboratory environment.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English to safely perform job duties, follow laboratory procedures, document results, and communicate effectively with team members.
• Comfort using appropriate PPE and working safely with materials including solvents, acids, bases, inks, resins, pigments, and powders.

Why Quad CR/T?

At Quad's Chemical Research & Technology (CR/T) facility, you'll see the connection between science and manufacturing every day. The work performed in our laboratory directly supports the quality, color, consistency, and performance of inks used throughout Quad's nationwide printing operations.

You’ll join a collaborative team where quality, innovation, and continuous improvement matter - and where you can expand your technical knowledge and build a long-term career with Quad.

Put Your Science Skills to Work. Build Your Career at Quad CR/T.

If you enjoy hands‑on laboratory work, have an eye for color, and want to see your work make a direct impact on products produced across the country, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

• medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings
• paid time off
• holidays
• additional benefits

Quad is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to creating a place of belonging — a space where employees do not need to sacrifice who they are to exist and grow in our workplace.

Quad does not discriminate on any unlawful basis including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Quad also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories.

Drug-Free Workplace