Quality Technician
Cortland, IL, US, 60112
OC Business Title: Quality Technician
Job Title: Quality Technician
Reports to: Plant Controller
Pay Rate: $25.00 hr
Work Schedule: Day shift Monday-Friday 7a-3:30p; overtime as needed
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The QC / Lab Technician supports plant quality, laboratory operations, research and development trials, selected administrative controls, and continuous improvement activities. This role performs raw material and batch testing, supports batch release and laboratory documentation, prepares spray foam experiments, and completes assigned accounting-support processes in accordance with established controls. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, safety-focused, organized, and able to maintain accurate records while working collaboratively across quality, operations, R&D, and finance functions.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Safety and Chemical Handling
- Understand, follow, and execute company and site safety requirements, including PPE, chemical handling, waste disposal, spill response, and emergency procedures.
- Fully understand and practice safe chemical handling procedures when working with laboratory materials, components, samples, and waste streams.
- Identify and report safety, quality, equipment, process, or control concerns in a timely manner.
2. Quality Control and Batch Testing
- Perform and document quality control and analytical testing, including IR spectroscopy, KF water analysis, viscosity testing, foam cup testing, density, K-factor, open-cell content, and other required foam physical property measurements.
- Use test data to support batch release decisions in accordance with approved methods, specifications, and site procedures.
- Communicate out-of-specification, unusual, or questionable results to the appropriate leader before material disposition.
- Maintain retain sample racks, laboratory logs, notebooks, electronic records, and batch-release documentation in accordance with site procedures.
3. Accounting Processes and SOX Controls
- Support assigned accounts payable, invoice review, reconciliation, and customer credit request processes.
- Review documentation for completeness, accuracy, authorization, coding, and required approvals before processing or submission.
- Research and help resolve quantity, price, receipt, coding, or documentation discrepancies with the appropriate process owner.
- Handle supplier, customer, pricing, banking, and financial information confidentially and in accordance with established controls.
4. Laboratory, R&D, Foam Testing, and Housekeeping Support
- Prepare small laboratory batches, including approximately one-quart B-side batches, five-gallon trial samples, and experimental setups using approved formulas, procedures, and authorizations.
- Perform cup tests, intermediate pour tests, and foam testing while documenting formulations, conditions, results, and observations accurately in notebooks or approved records.
- Assist R&D and plant teams with material handling, large-scale spray trials, equipment setup, test execution, measurement, and cleanup.
- Learn to operate spray equipment and maintain assigned laboratory or spray equipment after required qualification and authorization.
- Maintain laboratory and spray areas, working chemical inventories, supplies, sample storage, instruments, and records in a clean, organized, stocked, and test-ready condition; support designated sample disposal intervals.
5. Continuous Improvement and TPM Participation
- Participate in TPM and continuous improvement activities that support safety, quality, reliability, and plant performance.
- Support assigned pillar activities, problem solving, root cause investigations, corrective actions, 5S, audits, and workplace organization efforts.
- Maintain assigned standards, visual controls, action logs, training materials, and documentation for the work area.
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve reliability, reduce variation, and strengthen laboratory and plant performance.
6. Training, Cross-Training, and Team Support
- Complete required safety, quality, laboratory, accounting-control, and TPM training.
- Cross-train on assigned laboratory and administrative processes to support reliable coverage while maintaining required controls.
- Collaborate with plant personnel, R&D scientists, suppliers, customer-facing teams, and finance personnel.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by an authorized leader.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, physics, accounting, business, or a related field preferred.
- Laboratory, quality control, materials testing, accounts payable, ERP, or manufacturing experience preferred; training may be provided.
- Basic understanding of chemistry and the ability to safely use laboratory equipment.
- Familiarity with laboratory safety, controlled documentation, and electronic recordkeeping preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn ERP, invoice workflow, and laboratory record systems.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Skills and Abilities
- Read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
- Compare test results, invoices, system records, approvals, and supporting documentation with accuracy.
- Prioritize work across laboratory, production-support, accounting, and month-end deadlines.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling formulas, financial information, and customer information.
- Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and improvement-focused work environment.
Essential Physical Requirements and Work Environment
- Sit and/or stand for extended periods during an eight-hour daylight shift.
- Work in laboratory, production, warehouse, and office environments as assigned.
- Wear required PPE and safely handle approved laboratory materials.
- Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Work overtime as needed.
General Statement
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role. The company may modify duties and requirements as appropriate and may make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals. This document does not create an employment contract, expressed or implied.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago