Jr R&D Chemist

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Summary:
As the Jr. R&D Chemist, you will support Lebermuth's mission to provide quality, safe products that meet customer and product requirements by employing analytical, laboratory, and research skills with industry expertise.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Obtain and utilize knowledge of gas chromatography with flame ion detection, retention times, retention indices, and gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy to analyze materials and to provide expertise to internal and external customer questions.
• Obtain and utilize knowledge of the Gerstel Instrument to analyze materials and to provide data and expertise to our creative lab department for project briefs/projects.
• Responsible for operation, general maintenance, and troubleshooting of the Gerstel Instrument (as a whole), Agilent Intuvo FID, and any additional R&D specific instrumentation/equipment.
• Assist with the maintenance and troubleshooting of the HP 5890s and Agilent GCMS.
• Analyze customer provided materials and identify the closest internal quality match to grow business.
• Operate and perform maintenance on the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer and associated systems to ensure continued performance.
• Conducts chemical and physical analyses for various types of samples to support sales, purchasing, and business growth.
• Participates in analysis of unusual/unacceptable results, recommending corrective actions be followed as needed to drive the quality and safety of products.
• Utilizes and maintains GC-MS library to achieve high levels of analytical scrutiny.
• Works to develop analytical methods for raw materials and consumer products to maintain quality and promote safe products.
• Maintains documentation such as laboratory notebooks, instrumental electronic data collection/storage software, instrument logbooks, regulatory and training records, etc. to ensure all information is up-to-date and compliant with standard requirements.
• Reviews and prepares documents that detail work completed and distributes results for management review.
• Researches, develops, and implements innovative ways to improve laboratory procedures to optimize efficiencies and drive profitability.
• Supports other departments as needed (QC, Purchasing, Production, QA, Sales, Perfumery, etc.) by running and analyzing samples for additional sourcing opportunities, new products for sales opportunities, or creative lab experimentation.
• Serves as a technical resource for QC, purchasing, perfumery, and sales to support business growth.
• Assists in the development and review of Standard Operating Procedures to support internal systems.
• Promotes a safe food culture by maintaining a clean and organized workspace and adhering to all quality and safety standards within the department to ensure the safe production and shipment of quality food products.
• The job criteria may include other duties, responsibilities, and activities, which may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
There are no direct supervisory responsibilities anticipated for this position.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or closely related field of study.
Experience: 1+ years of on-the-job experience in a fast-paced QC or R&D lab, preferably in a GFSI-certified (or ISO 17025 certified) lab; accompanied by working knowledge and experience with Gerstel Instrumentation and/or GCMS/GC-FID is required. 1+ years of hands-on experience characterizing essential oils, isolates, and other raw materials is preferred. Experience in the flavor and fragrance industry is a plus.
Functional Skills: Good math skills used in an analytical and production environment. Complex problems solving skills. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Independent and responsible. Integrates complex or diverse information; uses intuition and experience to complement data. Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently. Attentive to detail; accurate and thorough in their work. Able to receive constructive feedback. Knowledge of chemical/physical principles, theories, and methodologies.
Technology Aptitude/Skills: Strong skill in Microsoft office, especially Excel. Ability to learn to use computer programs.
Language Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, chemical hazard information and safety procedures. Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates strong group presentation skills. Writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs of each audience; able to read and interpret written information effectively.
Behaviors Skills: Displays original thinking and creativity. Meets challenges with resourcefulness. Communicates changes and progress regularly. Completes projects on time and on budget. Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views. Treats others with respect and consideration, regardless of their status or position. Reacts well under pressure. Accepts responsibility for own actions. Follows through on commitments. Observes quality, safety, and security procedures. Determines appropriate actions beyond guidelines. Reports on potentially unsafe conditions.
Culture Match Behaviors: Driven; Self-starter. Collaborative. Curious. Respectful. Active listener. Solutions-focused. Continuous learner
Physical and Sensory Demands / Environmental Conditions / Equipment Used:
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, electronic devices, photocopiers, filing systems/cabinets and fax machines.
Ability to use hands and fingers to operate hand tools/equipment and machinery frequently.
Ability to operate keyboard and view computer screen frequently.
Ability to write ideas/information in a logical flow occasionally.
Cognitive and reasoning ability to read, review and interpret work orders or processes on a frequent basis.
Ability to read and respond due to nature of the work on a frequent basis.
Ability to talk and communicate with others via phone, in-person, and/or computer frequently.
Ability to listen to others, problem-solve, and respond frequently.
Ability to use hands and fingers to, reach, grip, grasp, twist as well as the ability to kneel, stoop, bend and crouch frequently.
Ability to use vision on a daily/frequent basis for close, distant, peripheral, depth and color recognition, with the ability to adjust focus.
Ability to handle raw materials, including essential oils, flavor/fragrance components and chemicals daily.
Regular lifting and/or moving of up to 10 pounds, throughout a scheduled workday.
Work schedule is generally 8-5pm, but it may vary week-to-week to ensure business and customer needs are met.
Lebermuth Benefits and Perks:
Competitive wages, medical, dental, vision, company paid life insurance, company paid short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k), gym reimbursement, retention bonus up to $1,000, referral bonus up to $750, 10 paid Holidays each year, Paid Time Off after 30 days, Holiday Bonus, Annual Performance Bonus, Employee recognition programs, free coffee, employee swag giveaways, employee engagement committee, company paid community volunteering opportunities, etc.