Laboratory Technician I/II

Empire Candle Co., LLC; Kansas City (KS); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

401(k) Plan with employer match

PTO + seven paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Planet Fitness membership

Candle discounts

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

Empire Candle Co., LLC is seeking a Lab Technician to support the lab with sample prep, burn testing, and data collection. You will verify samples before production and assist with dye/fragrance issuance, ensuring quality and accuracy in every step.

Strong attention to detail and basic science coursework are valued, along with a comfort working in a candle manufacturing environment located in Kansas City, KS.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree is a plus.
• 6+ months of lab or production experience is a plus.
• Experience in candle manufacturing is a plus.
• Coursework in STEMs is a plus.
• Proficiency with computers including Outlook, Word, Excel.

Responsibilities

• Pour candles and wax melts to fill sample requests with precision.
• Prepare burn test candles and verify samples prior to production.
• Verify dye and fragrance for production use and maintain records.
• Approve production in-process batch samples for consistency and quality.
• Perform burn testing and document data accurately.

Skills

Lab testing

Attention to detail

Color acuity

MS Office

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree a plus

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

Are you on the search for a Lab Technician opportunity that allows you to work in a niche, fun industry with the ability to grow into the role? If so, Empire Candle may be the place for you! We are currently on the search for a beginning to intermediate Laboratory Technician to perform testing on various components of the candles we produce each day. If you are someone with a Lab Technician or Quality Assurance background (academic background in the sciences (i.e. Associate's/Bachelors Degree) is an added plus), we would love to hear more about you!

We are a candle company located in Kansas City, KS. Yes, our candles are made here LOCALLY! For 75 years, Empire Candle Co. has sailed above the industry standard to deliver our high-quality Tuscany candle and fragrance innovations. As a full-service manufacturer of candles, wax melts, and home fragrance accessories, we always strive to improve our customers’ experience with our dynamic range of reliable products.

Position Overview

Provide support to the lab through basic sample preparation, burn testing, and housekeeping. Assist production by verifying samples prior to running them.

Essential Job Functions (include, but not limited to)

• Pour candles and wax melts to fill sample requests, ensuring precision and adherence to specifications.
• Pour product development candles for burn testing, following established protocols to ensure reliable results.
• Verify issued dye and fragrance for Mix Operators to use in production, maintaining detailed records of materials issued.
• Approve production in-process batch samples, ensuring consistency and compliance with quality standards.
• Correct color disparity of production batches using advanced color matching techniques.
• Assist production by calculating the required amounts of dye and fragrance to address work order shortages.
• Create and conduct fade testing; accurately evaluate results to ensure long-term product quality.
• Approve incoming bulk waxes, verifying quality and consistency before use in production.
• Perform Quality Control burn testing; accurately record data to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Create batch sheets for all wax types, ensuring comprehensive and accurate documentation.
• Perform testing, data collection, and entry for burn testing, ensuring accurate and thorough records.
• Suggest wick selection based on data collected from burn testing.
• Clean dye vessels to assist the Dye Technician, ensuring equipment is ready for use.
• Follow good laboratory practices at all times, maintaining a clean and organized work environment.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices to promote a safe working environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support laboratory operations and continuous improvement.

Requirements – Education, Skills and Experiences

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily complete each essential duty. The requirements listed below are represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the role.

• High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s Degree is a plus).
• 6-plus months of lab or production experience is a plus.
• Experience in candle manufacturing is a plus.
• Coursework in STEMs is a plus.
• Basic proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Basic math proficiency and strong attention to detail.
• Good communication skills (both written and verbal) with neat handwriting.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize projects.
• Good color acuity required.

Requirements – Physical& Environmental

• Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time, walk around the plant, stoop, lift, and carry up to 35 pounds repetitively.
• Frequent bending, stooping, lifting, reaching, and handling objects requiring manual dexterity.
• Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
• Low sensitivity to a highly fragranced work environment.
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Benefits:

Health, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Basic & Voluntary Life insurance

Savings Plan:

401k Plan with Strong Employer Match

Work/Life Balance:

PTO+ seven (7) Paid Holidays

Education:

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Health & Fitness:

FREE Planet Fitness Membership

Good Smells:

Largely discounted Candles + FREE candle giveaways

Diversity & Inclusion:

We are candlemakers, who come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and currently employee nine (9) various nationalities, from twenty-two (22) countries.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Empire Candle CO., LLC provides a competitive compensation and benefits package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associate with the job. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the Company reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, or technological developments).