Quality Assurance Lab Technician

Quality Assurance/Lab Technician

This is a second-shift position with typical hours from 1:30 PM to 10:00 or 10:30 PM, based on the selected lunch period.

The Quality Assurance/Lab Technician at Developlus Inc. ensures the consistent quality of production by developing and enforcing good manufacturing processes throughout the production process. Ensures company's GMP compliance by visually and/or manually inspecting test products, before, during and after the production process including cleaning and sanitization processes. The Quality Assurance/Lab Technician will run and monitor inspection equipment, as well as record and analyze quality data which may include performing duties in the assembly line and laboratory as needed. The Quality Assurance/Lab Technician will report directly to Quality Lab Lead and/or Quality Manager.

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities:

• Comply with the established procedures, policies, and health and safety regulations.
• Responsible for inspecting, testing, and approving Bulk/Prefill samples, line clearances, in-process products, and finished products, as appropriate.
• Perform incoming inspections for raw materials, sampling and testing to ensure compliance with certificates of analysis.
• Conduct routine wet chemistry and physical property testing such as pH, viscosity, specific gravity, and color comparison.
• Prepare hair color swatches, inspect and conduct color comparison using DataColor or other equipment.
• Calculate test results per established procedures.
• Collects samples during production run for stability testing and retentions.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained and calibrated daily.
• Provide floor support during startup, line changeovers, and batch adjustments.
• Communicates quality concerns in real time to supervisors and all affected or impacted personnel as required.
• Initiates nonconformance reports for items and/or processes not meeting specifications and requirements.
• Maintains a variety of records related to quality control such as test results, batch documentation, live logs, calibration logs, SPC system, key performance indicators, etc., according to GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Support corrective actions (CAPA) by gathering data, participating in investigations and root cause analysis for, defects including off-shade color, texture variations and formula adjustments.
• Participate in quality improvement projects related to color consistency or reduced scrap.
• Recommend enhancements to testing methods and inspection checkpoints.
• Support data collection for reformulation, cost savings initiatives, and new product launches.
• Keep the work area clean, safe and in an orderly fashion.
• Prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Other tasks, projects, and assignments as needed.

Requirements:

• Experience in quality control, quality assurance, or adherence to policies and procedures that provide checks and balances within production processes.
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail and time management skills
• Thoroughly document and keep track of work in a neat and organized manner.
• Combination of production floor and laboratory environments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment commensurate with workload.
• Proficient in Computer skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and ERP software.
• Ability and experience in studying the composition and properties of matter used in the development of hair color and other hair care products.
• Aptitude to keep matters of science such as measurement proportions, noting reactions, combining substances in search of new information or answers to new problems.
• Strong analytical skills to analyze data often used to conduct experiments.
• Critical thinking skills are needed to test solutions before developing the final version of a product.
• Proficient in titration, FTIR, spectroscopy, and physical chemistry tests.
• Proficient in equipment inspections and process validation.
• Stability studies, formula validation, and good lab practices.
• Proficient knowledge of and ability to review colors.
• Collaborative teamwork.
• Requires PPE such as gloves, goggles, respirator, lab coats and hair nets, as needed.
• Work around chemical odors typical in hair color manufacturing.

Education/Experience:

• Associate's degree in Chemistry or any related scientific field or two years' lab experience
• Strong background in laboratory skills and knowledge such as digital scales, glassware, pipettes. Erlenmeyer, burettes, beaker, etc.
• Must be able to perform ratio calculations
• Minimum 1+ years of relevant quality laboratory and manufacturing experience (preferred).
• Experience in the Cosmetic Industry is preferred.

Language Skills:

• Communication proficiency: ability to effectively communicate with employees at all levels as needed both verbal and in writing.

Mathematical Skills:

• Strong math skills, including algebra and ratio calculations.
• Complex problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with complex mathematical concepts

Reasoning Ability:

• Must possess the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing
• Strong time management skills
• Effective and efficient organizational skills

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to wear PPE, talk and hear. This position requires little repetitive hand movements, walking, filling, and standing for long periods of time, bending, occasionally lifting 25-30 lbs. and filing throughout the workday. Additionally, it may require working in rapidly hot and cold environments. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to work in front of a computer monitor for extended periods of the day.

Work Environment:

Professional office environment and within a sanitary laboratory setting to conduct experiments using a variety of substances. Additionally, the position will require frequent trips to the manufacturing environment exposure to moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment can be loud and is a fast-paced working environment with varying temperatures depending on the time of year.