Academic Worker – Quality (QA/QC)

Elanco in; Elwood (KS); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Elanco is seeking an Academic Worker – Quality (QA/QC) to support the QA/QC departments at its Elwood, KS site. This temporary role provides hands-on exposure to document control, lab workflows, and efficiency projects within a pharmaceutical quality environment.

The incumbent will assist with archive re-organization, apply Lean Six Sigma concepts such as 5S and Kanban, and help translate ideas into updated SOPs and visual maps while supporting QMS compliance.

Qualifications

• Currently attending Missouri Western State University.
• Completed at least one year of study in biology, chemistry, engineering or quality management.
• Ability to work on-site at Elwood, KS.

Responsibilities

• Assist in archive re-organization project planning and execution.
• Support Lean Six Sigma implementation in a laboratory setting.
• Document QA/QC workflows and update SOPs.
• Help maintain inventory controls to improve lab efficiency.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Lean Six Sigma interest

Education

Enrollment at Missouri Western State University

At least one year of study in technical/science field

Job description

Academic Worker – Quality (QA/QC) (Creative Design)

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals' lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Your Role: Academic Worker – Quality (QA/QC)

The primary purpose of this position is to support the Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) departments in the capacity of Elanco's vision for Operational Excellence. The Academic Worker will assist in streamlining document management, optimizing laboratory workflows, and implementing efficiency-driving projects. This role offers a comprehensive introduction to the pharmaceutical quality environment, providing the individual with regular interface across various levels of the manufacturing and quality organization.

The Academic Worker will be responsible for assisting in:

• Archive Re-organization: Leading the planning and execution of a major document control and archiving project.
• Lean Six Sigma Implementation: Applying 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) and Kanban inventory systems within a laboratory setting.
• Process Engineering: Understand and analyze QA/QC workflows to create visual process flows and updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Quality & Compliance: Supporting the Quality Management System (QMS) through document control and regulatory compliance activities.

ROLE DURATION & TERMS:

Duration: This is a temporary, paid position lasting between 3 to 6 months, depending on site needs.

Placement: Please note that this role is for a fixed term and carries no guarantee of permanent job placement at the conclusion of the assignment.

KEY OBJECTIVES / DELIVERABLES:

• Execute the "Archive Re-organization" project from initial planning through to final execution.
• Identify and document "a better way to do things" by acting as an objective observer of current QA/QC processes.
• Translate team ideas into documented, efficient workflows and visual process maps.
• Maintain inventory management standards to drive laboratory efficiency.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIREMENTS:

• Currently attending Missouri Western State University.
• Successfully completed at least one year of study in a technical or science-related field (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or Quality Management).

ADDITIONAL SKILLS / PREFERENCES - DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Strong analysis and problem-assessment skills.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) for documenting SOPs and presenting project progress.
• High quality orientation and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Interest in Lean Six Sigma or Operational Excellence (OpEx) methodologies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Location: Elwood, KS Manufacturing Site (On-site).

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.