Entry Level Lab Technician - Decatur, IL

ADM; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

ADM seeks a qualified candidate for a lab-based role performing chemical and microbiological analyses in a high-volume process control laboratory. The position supports production, product quality, and process improvements while ensuring safety and quality programs compliance.

Responsibilities include operating HPLC systems, documenting results, calibrating and maintaining instruments, and assisting with GMP and regulatory adherence to food safety standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to follow written procedures and accurately document laboratory activities.
• Ability to work safely around chemicals, laboratory equipment, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with HPLC systems, laboratory instrumentation, or microbiological testing methods preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes process, production, environmental, and finished product samples to determine product quality, process performance, and food safety compliance.
• Performs analytical testing using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and other laboratory instrumentation in accordance with established methods and procedures.
• Conducts routine microbiological testing and monitoring to support quality assurance and food safety programs.
• Documents analytical results and laboratory activities, including food safety, product quality, housekeeping, and hazardous waste generation.
• Reviews analytical data for completeness, accuracy, trends, and product quality or food safety implications.
• Communicates laboratory results, quality concerns, and operational issues.
• Enters analytical and microbiological data.
• Performs routine calibration, verification, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs on laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Prepares samples, standards, reagents, and microbiological media according to established procedures.
• Assists with laboratory housekeeping, organization, inventory control, and compliance activities.
• Understands their role in food safety and quality systems, actively participates in food safety efforts, and ensures all activities conform to GMPs, laboratory procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Works effectively across analytical, instrumentation, and microbiology laboratory areas to support plant operations and business objectives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Data entry

Documentation

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Biology/Microbiology/Biochemistry/Food Science

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in related scientific field

Tools

HPLC

Laboratory instrumentation

Microbiological testing methods

Job description

Job Summary

Performs chemical and microbiological analysis, documentation, and data entry in a high-volume process control laboratory while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, food safety, and quality programs. Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instrumentation, including HPLC systems and other analytical equipment, to support production, product quality, and process improvement initiatives.

Job Summary

Performs chemical and microbiological analysis, documentation, and data entry in a high-volume process control laboratory while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, food safety, and quality programs. Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instrumentation, including HPLC systems and other analytical equipment, to support production, product quality, and process improvement initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

• Analyzes process, production, environmental, and finished product samples to determine product quality, process performance, and food safety compliance.
• Performs analytical testing using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and other laboratory instrumentation in accordance with established methods and procedures.
• Conducts routine microbiological testing and monitoring to support quality assurance and food safety programs.
• Documents analytical results and laboratory activities, including food safety, product quality, housekeeping, and hazardous waste generation.
• Reviews analytical data for completeness, accuracy, trends, and product quality or food safety implications.
• Communicates laboratory results, quality concerns, and operational issues.
• Enters analytical and microbiological data.
• Performs routine calibration, verification, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs on laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Prepares samples, standards, reagents, and microbiological media according to established procedures.
• Assists with laboratory housekeeping, organization, inventory control, and compliance activities.
• Understands their role in food safety and quality systems, actively participates in food safety efforts, and ensures all activities conform to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), laboratory procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Works effectively across analytical, instrumentation, and microbiology laboratory areas to support plant operations and business objectives.
• Other task as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic math, computer, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to follow written procedures and accurately document laboratory activities.
• Ability to work safely around chemicals, laboratory equipment, and manufacturing processes.

Education / Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Science, or a related scientific field preferred.
• Continuing education, technical certification, or laboratory coursework in a science-related field preferred.
• Previous laboratory experience in analytical chemistry, microbiology, manufacturing, food processing, or quality control preferred.
• Experience with HPLC systems, laboratory instrumentation, and microbiological testing methods preferred.

Working Conditions

• Respiratory Hazards:
  • Dust
• Hot/Cold Temperature Extremes:
  • Temperature and humidity controlled
  • Indoor
• Chemicals:
  • Hazardous chemicals present
• Lighting:
  • Indoor

Physical Requirements

• Lifts, carries, and transports up to 50 pounds.
• Ascends and descends stepladders.
• Positions self to access samples, supplies, and laboratory instruments.
• Opens, prepares, analyzes, and disposes of samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Handles laboratory supplies, instruments, sample containers, transfer vessels, and testing materials safely and efficiently.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.