Quality Assurance Technician

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Earned wage access

Paid time off

Parental leave

Education assistance

Job summary

Helena Industries is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to test finished products and components, ensuring specifications are met. The role involves setting up HPLC/GC equipment, recording batch results, and reporting quality trends to management.

Successful candidates will have a high school diploma or equivalent, 2 years in a production or lab setting, and preferably a degree in physical science. OSHA respiratory compliance and rotating shifts may apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two years of experience in a production or manufacturing lab is required.
• Bachelor's degree in a physical science is preferred.
• Experience utilizing HPLC/GC instruments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs process checks throughout production, packaging and warehousing.
• Sets up and calibrates HPLC/GC testing equipment.
• Receives, documents and inputs batch testing results into applicable systems.
• Identifies and reports quality results and trends to Lab Supervisor/Manager.
• Maintains accurate QA records and inventory of retained products.
• Ensures compliance with company standards and regulations.
• Works independently in the lab and adjusts batches based on data.
• Maintains a clean work environment and participates in problem solving.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stand long hours

OSHA respirator

Rotating shifts

Multitasking

Lab procedures

English proficiency

Spanish helpful

MS Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in physical science preferred

Tools

HPLC

GC

Job description

WHO WE ARE

This position is with Helena Industries (HI). HI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC and provides production and distribution solutions to customers across a wide variety of industries. HI is one of the largest chemical toll manufacturers in the U.S. and our clients include many household name brands and large retailers.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician utilizes lab equipment to test finished products and product components and ensures all details are within specified parameters.

WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE

• Performs process checks throughout the production, packaging and warehousing functions of the company, including pre-operational checks, in-process checks and final product checks.
• Sets up and calibrates HPLC/GC testing equipment.
• Receives, documents and inputs batch testing results for all customer products into to all applicable systems.
• Identifies and reports quality results and trends to Lab Supervisor/Lab Manager/Quality Improvement Specialist.
• Performs physical property tests using instrumentation.
• Provides independent oversight of lab processes.
• Verifies compliance to company standards and policies and effectively communicates when there are deviations from standards or processes.
• Works independently in the lab setting, issues batch sheets and adjusts batches based off analytical data.
• Maintains accurate and organized records of QA activities and maintains organized inventory of retained products.
• Maintains ongoing company compliance with all applicable regulations and customer requirements.
• May perform duties of Quality Line Inspector.
• Maintains a clean work environment both inside and outside the facility by using good housekeeping habits.
• Routinely participates in problem solving activities utilizing scientific thinking and other continuous improvement techniques.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two years of experience in a production or manufacturing lab is required.
• Bachelor's degree in a physical science is preferred.
• Experience utilizing HPLC/GC instruments is preferred.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Mathematical and basic analytical skills
• Ability to stand for long periods of time in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• Capable of passing OSHA respirator physical.
• Able to work rotating shifts as scheduled.
• Handles multiple priorities at the same time.
• Knowledge of basic lab procedures.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.

Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

At Helena, safety is our highest priority. We seek out extensive safety measures and put them in place to minimize exposure to anything that could be potentially harmful to our employees.

The work environment for this position is in a typical plant/warehouse/lab environment where the noise level is usually moderate to loud. In this position, you will regularly work near moving equipment/mechanical parts and could be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemical and biological hazards, vibrations and a risk of electrical shock.

This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, sit, stand,( 8 hours a day or more), lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling (up to and including 50lbs or more), reaching overhead (up to and including 25lbs), climbing, gripping, grasping and twisting using hands and wrists, bending and stooping for long periods of time, working below knee levels for short periods of time and working above shoulder level for short periods.

BENEFITS AT HELENA

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
• Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
• Three-year vesting on company match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
• Employees are eligible for paid time off and holiday pay.
• This position is eligible for overtime pay.
• Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
• Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
• Education Assistance.
• And much more!

For more detailed information about our benefits, visit helenacareers.com/benefits.

STAY CONNECTED TO HELENA!

Follow us on social @HelenaCareers or visit us at helenacareers.com.

Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.