Quality Technician I

Carus; LaSalle (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO and 11 paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) +

Tuition reimbursement program

Employee engagement and STEM education

Job summary

Carus is seeking a Quality Technician to uphold our quality standards under the Quality Supervisor. You will qualify raw materials, test products, and support plant trials while maintaining records and collaborating with multiple teams.

We value problem solving, attention to detail, and experience in a manufacturing lab with wet chemistry. This role includes a rotating weekend/holiday schedule and growth opportunities within a mission-driven company.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with five+ years hands-on bench experience in a laboratory setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related science field with bench experience acceptable.
• Experience with wet chemistry analysis.
• Strong problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Attention to detail and time management.
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to work rotating weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Leverage analytical skills to qualify raw materials, and test in-process and finished products to ensure they meet specifications.
• Notify operations of non-conforming material or product results and support troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with R&D, process development, and operations during plant trials and projects.
• Maintain and update production inventory systems, inspection reports and quality records.

Skills

Quality techniques

Problem solving

Root cause analysis

Attention to detail

Statistics basics

Manufacturing environment familiarity

Analytical mindset

Education

Associate degree in chemistry or related field

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related science

Tools

Analytical instruments

Job description

IS THIS YOU?

Are you a data-driven individual with a knack for problem-solving? Do you enjoy having a variety of different projects to work on each day? Do you thrive in a laboratory environment?

IS THIS YOU?

Are you a data-driven individual with a knack for problem-solving? Do you enjoy having a variety of different projects to work on each day? Do you thrive in a laboratory environment? If that sounds like you, we'd love to meet you. Come join a passionate team dedicated to quality with a "Right First Time" philosophy and a continuous improvement mindset. Our Quality Control team ensures the products leaving the facility meet or exceed our customers’ requirements.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Quality Supervisor, the Quality Technician will play a key role in upholding Carus' superior quality standards and exceeding customer expectations.

Here’s What You’ll Own

• Leverage analytical skills to qualify raw materials, and test in-process and finished products to ensure they meet appropriate specifications.
• Notify operations of non-conforming material or product results and provide support to help troubleshoot and identify solutions.
• Provide collaborative assistance to the research and development team, process development, and operations during plant trials and other projects.
• Maintain and update various records and databases including production inventory system, inspection reports and quality records.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Your work will directly improve water quality for communities across the country.
• You’ll gain valuable experience in the field of chemistry with the only manufacturer of permanganate in the United States.
• You’ll acquire exposure to a variety of analytical instruments.

The Qualifications

The right candidate will be able to use basic quality techniques to solve problems, implement solutions, and drive ongoing quality improvements.

What You Bring

• An associate degree in chemistry or related field with five or more years of hands-on bench experience as a laboratory technician or a bachelor's degree in a chemistry or related science field.
• Prior professional or educational experience with wet chemistry analysis.
• Experience with problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Attention to detail, time management skills, and basic understanding of statistics.
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment.
• Willingness and ability to work a rotating weekend and holiday schedule.

Bonus Points If You Also Have

• Prior experience with six sigma philosophy.

The Company

Building Great Chemistry, Together

At Carus, we believe the best chemistry isn't just in our products - it's in our people. For over 110 years, we've manufactured products that clean the air, water, and soil, and we're always exploring new ways to expand our reach and impact. Guided by third-generation family leadership, we've built a culture rooted in Collaboration, Accountability, Results, and Engagement (CARE) - and a foundation of trust. More than an acronym, CARE reflects how we make decisions, show up for each other, and invest in the people, communities, and environment around us.

What Makes Carus Different

• Three-time Illinois Valley Top Workplaces winner - including recognition as a top "Company that Gives Back to the Community"
• Safety-first culture - every team member owns safety and is empowered to make decisions that keep themselves and others safe, because everyone deserves to go home the way they came in
• Values in Action Awards - we put our money where our values are, awarding quarterly bonuses to employees who exemplify our CARE core values
• Global footprint, small-company feel - 4 locations across 3 countries, but still a place where leadership knows your name
• Mission-driven work - our products treat drinking water, purify air, and remediate contaminated soil for communities worldwide
• Culture you can see - from Earth Month volunteer cleanups to employee town halls, the CARE Jar anonymous feedback program, and new hire spotlights on our intranet, engagement here isn't a buzzword - it's how we operate

More than just a workplace, Carus is a community in the heart of Illinois' beautiful Starved Rock Country. We celebrate our people through Carus Kudos, our employee recognition program, and give back through environmental initiatives, STEM education sponsorships, and local community outreach.

Whether you're beginning your career or seeking new opportunities to thrive, Carus offers a place where your contributions matter and your potential is limitless. Join us, and let's build great chemistry - together.

THE PERKS

We believe great work deserves great rewards. Here's what you can expect:

• Generous PTO and 11 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans with a generous match, plus company-paid basic life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement program for you and your dependents
• Employee engagement events, company-sponsored volunteer opportunities, and STEM education initiatives

Learn More About Us

Visit www.carusllc.com or check us out on Facebook @carusllc.

Equal Opportunity Employer – Disability/Vets

Company: Carus