Lab Tech, Refinery, Decatur

1101 Primary Products Ingredients Americas LLC; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Healthcare options

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Floating days off

Parental leave

Learning & development programs

Culture of safety

Job summary

Primient is hiring a QC Lab Technician in Decatur, IL to perform laboratory tests on process streams and finished products using HPLC, AA, FTIR, UV/Vis, and various meters. The role reports to the Lab Supervisor and Plant QA Manager and requires a 12-hour rotating shift and documentation of results.

Starting pay is $70,451.15 annually with overtime, plus a comprehensive Total Rewards package including healthcare, 401(k), and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree with technical training in biological, physical, or engineering sciences or associates degree with 3 years proven lab experience preferred.
• Proven technical skills including experience with various laboratory methodology and equipment.
• High critical thinking skills to interpret data.
• Strong documentation and data integrity practices.
• Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory equipment.
• Customer-focused mindset with an ability to understand and address client needs.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples for testing and operate instruments per SOPs.
• Analyze process streams using HPLC, AA, FTIR, UV/Vis and meters.
• Maintain accurate records and report data for QA.
• Investigate out-of-spec results and assist investigations.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment with team.
• Enter data into eDatasheet, Logbook and SAP.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis for finished products.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Documentation skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in sciences

Associates degree with 3+ years lab experience

Tools

HPLC

AA

FTIR

UV/Vis

pH meters

Conductivity meters

RVA

Starch testing

SAP data entry

Job description

Lab Tech, Refinery, Decatur | Primient

About Primient Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We’re investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we’re focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.

The Quality Control (QC) Lab Technician is responsible for performing laboratory tests to ensure in-process and finished product samples meet established quality specifications. This position reports to a Lab Supervisor, Lab Manager and the Plant Quality Assurance Manager. This position requires 12-hour, rotating shifts and some shift flexibility to cover vacations and other absences.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples for testing and operate instruments used to perform testing as described in the Standard Operating Procedures
• Perform laboratory analysis of process streams utilizing HPLC, AA, FTIR, UV/Vis Spectrophotometers, RVAs, pH meters, conductivity meters, and other analytical devices
• Perform wet chemical tests such as titrations and starch testing with iodine
• Maintain accurate records through proper documentation.
• Generate, interpret, and report data used to support the manufacturing processes and for quality control of finished products.
• Assist in investigating out of specification or abnormal results
• Work with Lab Supervisor/ Instrumentation Specialist to gain understanding of the maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment and help maintain the laboratory equipment in the lab.
• Responsible for entering data into eDatasheet, Logbook and SAP.
• Prepare and send Certificates of Analysis for finished product shipments.
• Ability to work in an industrial type environment and safely collect samples from specified process points while adhering to all safety rules.
• Perform routine lab instrument verifications and calibrations.
• Maintain a clean, organized and safe laboratory environment.
• Work in collaboration with other lab technicians and operations team.
• Participate in production meetings, safety audits, etc. when required.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree with technical training in biological, physical, or engineering sciences or associates degree with 3 years proven lab experience preferred.
• Proven technical skills including experience with various laboratory methodology and equipment.
• High critical thinking skills to interpret data.
• Strong documentation and data integrity practices.
• Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory equipment.
• Customer-focused mindset with an ability to understand and address client needs.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize with attention to detail.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment/adapt to changing procedures.
• Ability to work in a team-based environment.
• Ability to work solo with limited supervision.
• Excellent communication skills.

Work Environment Laboratory environment within a manufacturing facility, including exposure to production areas, chemicals, noise, and industrial equipment. Requires use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed shoes. Standing for extended periods and occasional lifting (~50 pounds) may be required.

Total Rewards

Starting pay of $70,451.15 annually + overtime with opportunity to advance with our pay for skill system. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• Competitive Pay
• Multiple Healthcare plan choices
• Dental and vision insurance
• A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans
• Paid holidays & vacation
• Floating days off
• Parental leave for new parents
• Employee resource groups
• Learning & development programs
• Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future

Career Path & Culture

Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning. Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.

Primient is a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational expertise that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from start to finish, we focus our priorities on producing the safest, highest quality ingredients through practices that uphold our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Our employees, some of whom are second and third generation legacy, understand the importance of maintaining the highest levels of safety, excellence, and integrity in all that we do. We continue to grow with a century long history of ingenuity that started with agricultural visionary Augustus “Gene” Staley. Staley’s “can do” attitude and entrepreneurial spirit continue to lead and inspire Primient in new ways that ensure we honor our traditions to confidently trail blaze ahead. We proudly walk the halls of the ‘Castle in the Cornfields’ administration building in Decatur, IL, US, tracing our rich heritage and planning for the next big ideas.