Lab Technician

A Day in the Life:

The Laboratory Technician performs sampling and routine testing to determine chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics or composition of solid and liquid materials to ensure process and quality control measures are effective. The Lab Technician follows all policies and procedures to ensure that performed work exceeds the requirements of “Good Laboratory Practices” and to maintain the positive image of a reliable and efficient laboratory.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Performs physical and chemical testing of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
• Verifies that test results conform to product and customer specifications.
• Ensures timely delivery of test results, issuing certificates of analysis, filing testing information, and maintaining analysis databases.
• Prepares chemical solutions according to standard formulas.
• Always follows lab safety regulations, including but not limited to eye protection, hand protection, and proper use of fume hoods or other breathing protection.
• Performs set up, adjustments, and operation of lab equipment, including gas & liquid chromatographs, balances, colorimeters, refractometers, and other related equipment.
• Performs microbiological sampling, swabbing, and testing either in house or by sending to an external laboratory.
• Calibrates all instruments used in the Quality Control lab stations in the plant and in the QA laboratory on a scheduled frequency.
• Assists with general upkeep of the lab including preventive maintenance and cleaning of lab instruments, glass bottles, vials, and tubes, as well as counters, cabinets, and fixtures.
• Maintains inventory of lab chemicals to ensure secure storing, adequate supply, safe and correct disposal of waste chemicals, and to prevent storage of expired stock.
• Updates and maintains critical logs; generates related graphs, charts, and tables.
• Maintains and audits records of products and procedures essential for quality assurance, traceability, product recall, sanitation, HACCP, and hazardous waste management.
• Troubleshoots issues with lab instrumentation, maintenance, and problems that arise with product quality.
• Applied knowledge on characteristics of different oils regarding formulations, needs for “product adjustments”, rework need options, finding ways of meeting required final product specifications, etc.
• Developing and maintaining local (plant based) databases for multipurpose use: keeping and saving analytical records, additives reconciliation calculator, automated shift rotation schedule and calendar, etc. 
• Finding of and understanding the correlation btw. different lab analyses and methods.
• (with the goal of having “backup” test options - in case one analytical method is temporary unavailable or down) - e.g. SFC, NIR, FAP.
• Lab supplies and consumables purchasing (by using corporate catalogue database and SAP module);
• Coordinating, communicating, and ensuring timely feedback on AOCS Proficiency Program.
• Most important - foreseeing possible issues that might be caused by bad incoming (crude) oil, of-spec. processing quality parameters, operations parameters (impact on quality by bad vacuum, temp.
• storage conditions, etc.), and proactively reporting the finding and proposals on solutions

Skill/Experience Requirements:

• Associate degree in a science or technical field is preferred.
• Candidates with the equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• The ideal candidate will have 7 or more years of lab experience in oils & fats, food processing, grain milling, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or related industry. 
• Self-Starter with good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently sometimes without supervision.
• Ability to read and interpret various directives that may be provided in written or oral format such as diagram, or schedule format such as safety rules, operating instructions, drawings, production schedules, etc.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to contribute to Root Cause Failure analysis reviews.
• Efficient in defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Experience with an ERP, such as SAP is preferred.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, and on-call as needed.

At Bunge, people don’t just come here to work, they come here to grow – solving challenges that directly impact the world with a diverse and talented team working to make us the most innovative and dynamic company in our industry.  Bunge offers a strong compensation and benefits package and most importantly, in all we do we live our values:

• Act as One Team by fostering inclusion, collaboration, and respect.
• Drive for Excellence by being agile, innovative, and efficient.
• Do What's Right by acting safely, ethically, and sustainably.

Benefits:

• Health Benefits – Offering choices so you can enroll in medical, dental and vision plans that meet your individual needs.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Investing in your future with an automatic 5% company contribution AND matching up to 4% of your contributions.
• Family Support – Supporting new and growing families by providing 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave and fertility coverage.
• Tuition Reimbursement – Contributing to your education by reimbursing $5,000 of tuition expenses annually.
• Time Off – Providing generous PTO based on professional work experience.
  • 0 – 9 years: 25 days
  • 10 – 19 years: 30 days
  • 20+ years: 35 days

Bunge (NYSE: BG) is a world leader in sourcing, processing and supplying oilseed and grain products and ingredients. Founded in 1818, Bunge’s expansive network feeds and fuels a growing world, creating sustainable products and opportunities for more than 70,000 farmers and the consumers they serve across the globe. The company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and has 25,000 employees worldwide who stand behind more than 350 port terminals, oilseed processing plants, grain facilities, and food and ingredient production and packaging facilities around the world.

Bunge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.  Bunge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled