Quality Lab Tech

Smurfit-Westrock; Guaynabo (PR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Benefits from day one

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a quality lab technician to perform physical, chemical, and performance testing on materials and products in a manufacturing setting. You will document results, report deviations, and support continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring safety and compliance.

The role requires 1–3 years of quality laboratory experience, Spanish/English bilingual abilities, and proficiency with ERP systems and quality management software.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; associate degree preferred.
• 1–3 years of quality laboratory experience in manufacturing.
• Bilingual Spanish and English (minimum level B2+) required.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory testing on materials and finished products to ensure specifications and safety standards.
• Verify compliance with strength, moisture, basis weight, caliper, and other quality characteristics.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Quality control

Bilingual Spanish/English

Multitasking

Analytical thinking

Education

High school diploma

Associate’s degree in quality technology

Tools

ERP systems

Quality management software

Measurement equipment

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Opportunity:

Responsible of performing physical, chemical, and performance testing on raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products to ensure compliance with quality specifications, safety standards, customer requirements, and internal company procedures. This role maintains accurate records, identifies quality deviations, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives throughout the plant.

How will you impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Perform laboratory testing on linerboard, medium, adhesives, corrugated board, and finished products.
• Verify compliance with established specifications for strength, moisture content, basis weight, caliper, and other quality characteristics.
• Conduct quality tests using specialized equipment, including: Edge Crush Test (ECT), Box Compression Test (BCT), Burst Test, Cobb Test, Moisture Content Testing, Basis Weight and Caliper Measurements, Printing quality, among others.
• Inspect incoming materials and report any nonconformities.
• Collect representative samples of materials and products according to established procedures.
• Record and document test results using both manual and electronic systems.
• Analyze quality trends and communicate findings to supervisors, process engineers and production personnel.
• Investigate quality deviations and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained, calibrated, and functioning properly.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Support internal, external, and customer audits.
• Actively participate in continuous improvement, waste reduction, and process optimization initiatives.
• Responsible for coordinating meetings, preparing the agenda, keep track of action items and participating in each meeting.
• Maintain Smurfit Westrock's hierarchy of priorities for safety, quality, cost, and productivity.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures while upholding Smurfit Westrock's values of integrity, respect, loyalty, and safety.
• Perform additional duties as may be assigned by management.
• Maintain a proactive, customer-centric approach to productivity.

What you need to succeed:

• Minimum high school diploma, associate’s degree in quality technology or related field preferred.
• 1-3 years of quality laboratory experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience in the paper, packaging, or corrugated industry preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems or quality management software is preferred.
• Understanding sampling and inspection procedures.
• Experience in using laboratory testing and measurement equipment is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of statistical quality control techniques.
• Bilingual: Spanish and English minimum level B2+ required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required, such as Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Core competencies: Attention to detail, analytical thinking, problem solving, effective at multi-tasking and managing multiple priorities effective communication, sense of urgency, results orientation, customer-centric approach, commitment to safety,
• Ability to read and understand work instructions, procedures, or assembly manuals in Spanish and English.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in Spanish and English.
• Ability to apply arithmetic concepts and conversions.
• Ability to read a tape measure.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing and industrial environment and ability to move between production and laboratory areas as needed.
• Required to use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to solve problems constructively, maintain positive and proactive behaviors, and maintain a safe work environment.
• Available to work overtime if needed.
• Available to visit customers if needed.

What we offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, loyalty, and safety.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• An attractive salary that reflects skills, competencies, and potential.
• Benefits from day one.
• A career in a global packaging company where sustainability, safety, and inclusion are business drivers and critical elements of daily work.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.