Chemist 2 – Nutrition

OMIC USA; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

OMIC USA, Inc. is seeking a Chemist II to perform nutritional analyses on foods, dietary supplements, and related matrices using validated methods. You will prepare, extract, digest, and analyze samples, operate GC-FID instruments, and maintain quality systems to ensure data integrity.

Responsibilities include data entry in LIMS, method development support, and mentoring Chemist I staff. The role emphasizes continuous improvement and compliance with AOAC, USP, ISO, and FDA standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related science with 3+ years of applicable experience.
• Experience in quantitative nutritional analysis and laboratory operations.
• Familiarity with QA/QC practices and regulatory standards (AOAC, USP, ISO, FDA).

Responsibilities

• Perform nutritional analyses for minerals, trace elements, vitamins, proximates, amino acids, and fatty acids per SOPs and validated methods.
• Prepare, extract, digest, and analyze samples including complex matrices to ensure data integrity.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot analytical instruments including GC-FID; escalate unresolved issues to senior staff and propose solutions.
• Enter analytical data into LIMS and assume responsibility for reported results.
• Prepare, maintain, and document reference materials, calibration standards, and QC materials.
• Compile and trend IQC data; assess method performance and recommend corrective actions for OOS/OOT results.
• Review data packages for completeness and procedural compliance.
• Develop and maintain SOPs ensuring ISO 17025 compliance.
• Support method development, validation, transfer, and optimization projects.
• Assist with evaluation and qualification of new equipment and methods.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance data quality and turnaround time.
• Manage laboratory inventory and schedule analytical work to meet timelines.
• Train and mentor Chemist I staff and provide technical support.

Skills

Nutritional analysis

GC-FID operation

QA/QC practices

Data analysis

Method troubleshooting

Mentoring/training

Cross-department collaboration

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related science

Tools

GC-FID

MS/MS detectors

MS

LIMS

MS Office

Job description

Description

OMIC USA, Inc. is an international Analytical Laboratory and is committed to global food health and safety through the analytical testing services we offer to our clients.

MISSION OF THE ROLE:

The Chemist II performs an essential role by providing accurate, efficient, and timely nutritional analytical services to clients. This position focuses on the analysis of nutrients in food, dietary supplements, and related matrices using validated analytical methods and advanced instrumentation. The role supports continuous improvement, method optimization, and innovation aligned with the Company’s mission and quality objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Perform nutritional analyses for minerals, trace elements, vitamins, proximates, amino acids, and fatty acids in accordance with SOPs and validated methods (AOAC, USP, ISO, FDA, and in-house).
2. Prepare, extract, digest, and analyze samples, including complex matrices, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
3. Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot analytical instruments, including GC-FID and associated sample preparation equipment; **escalate** unresolved technical issues to senior staff and propose solutions.
4. Enter analytical data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and assume responsibility for reported results.
5. Prepare, maintain, and document reference materials, calibration standards, and quality control materials.
6. Compile and trend Internal Quality Control (IQC) data; assess method performance and recommend corrective actions for out-of-specification (OOS) or out-of-trend (OOT) results.
7. Review analytical data packages for completeness, accuracy, and procedural compliance.
8. Develop, revise, and maintain controlled documents and SOPs, ensuring ISO 17025 compliance.
9. Support method development, validation, transfer, and optimization projects.
10. Assist with evaluation, implementation, and qualification of new equipment and analytical methods.
11. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance data quality, method performance, efficiency, and turnaround time.
12. Manage laboratory inventory for consumables, reagents, and supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels and timely replenishment.
13. Schedule and prioritize analytical work to meet client and business timelines.
14. Train and mentor Chemist I staff and provide technical support to the laboratory team.
15. Maintain knowledge of current analytical techniques, technologies, and regulatory expectations through ongoing training.
16. Independently perform simple and complex analyses across routine, non-routine, and complex sample matrices; **escalate** technical challenges and propose solutions to improve workflow and method performance

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: REQUIRED

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Chemistry or related science from a four-year college or university in addition to at least 3 years of directly applicable experience (Chemist I or II role); or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience in quantitative nutritional analysis and laboratory operations.
• Proficiency with GC-FID and other analytical instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of QA/QC practices and regulatory standards (AOAC, USP, ISO, FDA).
• Successful experience working independently and demonstrating competency using and maintaining department-specific instruments, including conventional, MS, and MS/MS detectors, with operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Experience routinely analyzing small and large data sets.
• Experience in analytical and extraction method troubleshooting, development, and optimization.
• Successful experience mentoring and training others, specifically in extraction, analytical, and instrument methodology.
• Successful experience collaborating with different business departments.
• Familiarity with the laboratory business environment.
• Involvement in improvement and learning initiatives.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Ability to gather and communicate technical information clearly, both orally and in writing, with respect to analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High emotional intelligence and cultural awareness, with strong communication skills for working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experienced user of MS Office and Adobe Acrobat.

PERFORMANCE FACTORS

• Quality of Work
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Knowledge and Skills
• Initiative
• Dependability

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write Standard Operating Procedures, analytical methods, reports, business correspondences, and additional laboratory documentation.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, and quadratic equations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to tasks such as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: PREFERRED

• Experience with high resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRMS) and/or cutting-edge new technologies
• Experience with analytical method development
• Experience with sample processing and extraction method development, particularly for pesticides and process contaminants in food matrices
• Knowledge of other relevant technologies and markets
• Well-connected or have experience interacting with representatives of relevant external agencies and organizations
• Experience working in international businesses

OTHERS:

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

OJT in understanding company operating systems, including the maintenance and operation of laboratory extraction and analytical equipment, and passing the Initial Demonstration of Capability (IDOC) for existing SOPs or other laboratory procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be able to hear and understand instructions and handle items involving repetitive hand and wrist movement. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works in a laboratory using laboratory extraction and analytical equipment. Employees may have exposure to hazardous chemicals and solvents. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.