Quality Control Sr. Technician

Avantor is looking for a Quality Control Sr. Technician to join our NuSil Bakersfield, CA team! The Sr. Technician independently supports daily manufacturing operations by performing hands-on lab tasks, including executing pre-established material qualifications. This includes conducting prescribed tests and inspections to release materials to the next stage of the process. The role also involves basic troubleshooting as needed and performing occasional tests according to defined methods.

This role will be a full-time, 2nd shift position. Working hours for this role will be Monday - Friday 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm.

What we're looking for

• Education: High School Diploma or GED is required; Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry is preferred
• Experience:
  • If you have a high school diploma or GED: 3+ years of Quality Lab experience is required
  • If you have an Associate or Bachelor's degree: 1+ years of Quality Lab experience is required
    • Experience handling chemicals safely
    • Experience with basic physical chemistry parameters (pH, pressure, temperature)
    • Experience in a good laboratory practices environment
    • Basic experience using calibrated instruments
    • Experience executing calibrations independently
• Certification(s): Six Sigma Yellow Belt is preferred
• Collaboration Tool: Microsoft Office experience is required
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with basic troubleshooting and upkeep of testing instruments (viscosity, pH, and loss on drying)
  • Experience providing training to other associates on test methods
  • Basic experience under an Organizational Excellence system (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Toyota System, Avantor Business System)
  • Technical writing

How you will thrive and create an impact

• Ensure adherence to company quality standards and industry regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and reporting within the scope of the role
• Performs routine cleaning and housekeeping duties ensuring instruments and workstations are clean and properly maintained
• Assist with Hazardous Waste disposal, including discarding expired supplies as per SOPs
• Independently performs routine basic testing, which may include assessments of appearance, viscosity, pH, loss on drying, and evaluations of materials in uncured, mixed, cured, and post-cured states
• Independently performs routine testing, which may include acid/base titrations, tensile strength evaluations, heat and moisture curing assessments, and inspections of intermediates, final products, and shelf-life samples
• Performs standardized Test Methods for validation purposes
• Under supervision investigates unexpected testing results at the QC and/or Analytical Lab level
• Updates team on current testing status and instrument readiness during the shift change
• Supports laboratory inventory upkeep, ensuring supplies are properly stocked, labeled, and accessible
• Login and dispose of retain samples. Keeps the retain sample area clean and organized
• Performs daily calibration verifications of testing instruments. This may include GC, GPC, Instron, scales/balance
• Provides support with routine testing of materials related to defects, customer complaints, and opportunity analysis projects
• Provides support with execution under supervision of non-routine testing materials related to defects, customer complaints, and opportunity analysis projects
• Prepare samples for outside testing by following specified procedures
• Handles samples from submittal to disposal
• Handles Test Request samples
• Perform sample preparation for the testing of samples following approved test method procedures
• Works closely with other functional teams and provides Quality technical SME feedback for internal challenges (Ex. Production or development issues)

In addition to:

• May provide training to other associates on QC Test Methods and Equipment Operating Procedures
• May independently investigate and troubleshoot unexpected testing results at the QC and/or Analytical Lab level
• May lead shift change meetings and/or present TDM data to the QC team
• May ensure logs are completed and conform to GDP
• May establish and implement a 6S program, with daily schedule, to ensure best practices for safety, productivity, and cleanliness in the lab space(s)
• May order supplies and audits laboratory inventory
• May create and maintain retain samples inventory schedule based on retain sample disposal date and material availability
• May prepare calibration standard solutions for building calibration curves on GC, GPC, UV/Vis, and/or APHA colorimetry. Verifies calibration standards and curves are properly prepared
• May generate change orders related to QC (i.e. SOP, TM, EOP, or other relevant documents)
• May support internal and external audits
• Follows applicable safety procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE JOB COMPETENTLY:

• Basic math and statistics skills
• Good communication skills, Time-management skills
• Team-player: ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Attention to detail
• Ability to read, understand, and follow procedures
• Able to work under limited supervision by following clear instructions
• Proficient in Good Documentation Practices (GDP)

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT (Under Typical Positions)

• Will be required to pass pulmonary function test in order to wear respirator.Must wear respirator for some required job functions
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• For safety, the use of contact lenses for any reason, cosmetic or corrective, is prohibited on the production floor, in the lab areas, in the engineering shop, or while working on equipment
• The company will provide prescription safety glasses with a current (under 12 months) vision corrective prescription provided by the employee
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear
• The employee frequently is required to sit for prolonged periods
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• The work environment of this position is non-climate controlled
• The employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level is usually moderate

#LI-Onsite

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.comand let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.