Quality Chemist (Cordova, IL)*

3M; Cordova (AK); On-site; USD 98,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

Health Savings Accounts

Disability Benefits

Life Insurance

Voluntary Benefits

Paid Absences & Retirement Benefits

Job summary

3M is seeking a Quality Control Chemist in Cordova, IL to perform QA/QC activities under GMP and ISO 9001 frameworks. You will develop and validate analytical methods, run instrument analyses, and generate protocols and reports to support manufacturing quality.

Collaboration with global teams and continuous improvement initiatives are core aspects. The role requires a science/engineering degree, experience with HPLC/LCMS and related lab techniques, and strong data analysis skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a science or engineering discipline
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from an accredited institution
• Basic lab procedures (wet chemistry, pH, dilutions, etc.)
• Working knowledge of HPLC, IC, GC, UV-Vis, Karl Fischer, ICP, NIR, LCMS
• Analytical method development and validation
• Basic understanding of statistical techniques, data analysis, and variability.
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Minitab)
• Familiar with GMP, ISO9001, IATF16949, AS9100 environments
• Industry laboratory experience (including internships)
• Ability to work effectively individually or on cross-functional team

Responsibilities

• Perform quality assurance and quality control activities related to regulatory certifications (ISO 9001 and GMP)
• Facilitate customer interactions involving complaint investigations, analysis, and corrective actions
• Develop new and refine existing analytical test methods
• Generate protocols, summary reports, and other laboratory documents
• Design and execute method validations and measurement system analyses
• Support plant operations with investigative analytical chemistry solutions
• Manage quality-impacted material inventory for assigned product portfolio
• Identify opportunities to reduce the cost of poor quality and support improvements
• Lead teams through continuous improvement kaizens and projects to drive efficiency and quality

Skills

Wet chemistry

pH

Dilutions

Analytical method development

Statistical techniques

Excel

Minitab

Regulatory GMP ISO knowledge

Cross-functional teamwork

Laboratory instrumentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

IC

GC

UV-Vis

Karl Fischer

ICP

NIR

LCMS

Job description

Job Description:

Job Title

Quality Control Chemist

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Quality Control Chemist in our Global Chemical Operations (GCO) plant, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Perform quality assurance and quality control activities related to regulatory certifications, such as ISO 9001 and GMP.
• Facilitate customer interactions involving complaint investigations, analysis, and corrective actions.
• Develop new and refine existing analytical test methods.
• Generate protocols, summary reports, and other laboratory-related documents.
• Design and execute method validations and measurement system analyses.
• Support plant operations by providing investigative analytical chemistry solutions.
• Manage quality-impacted material inventory for assigned product portfolio.
• Identify opportunities to reduce the cost of poor quality throughout the site and support improvement activities.
• Lead teams through continuous improvement kaizens and projects to drive process efficiency, quality improvements, and operational excellence.

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a science or engineering discipline (completed and verified prior to start)

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from an accredited institution
• Basic lab procedures (wet chemistry, pH, dilutions, etc.)
• Working knowledge of HPLC, IC, GC, UV-Vis, Karl Fischer, ICP, NIR, LCMS
• Analytical method development and validation
• Basic understanding of statistical techniques, data analysis, and variability.
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Minitab)
• Familiar with working in a regulated environment such as GMP, ISO9001, IATF16949, and/or AS9100.
• Industry laboratory experience (including internships)
• Ability to work effectively individually or on cross-functional team

Location** : Cordova, IL**

Travel: ** May include up to 5% domestic**

Relocation: Is not authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws.

U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain “non-U.S. persons” (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, “Temporary Residents” (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum.

To comply with these laws, 3M must help assess candidates’ U.S. person status.

The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position.

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only: The expected compensation range for this position is $98,964 - $120,957, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 08/27/2026 To 09/26/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.