Quality Technician - Chemist

No Relocation Assistance Offered
# 156448 - Emporia, Kansas, United States
Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health.
If you want to work for a company that lives by their values, then give your career a reason to smile and join our global team!
 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Quality Technician - Chemist performs routine physical and analytical testing of packaging, raw material, in-process, and finished product in accordance with official laboratory methods and standards to affirm the production of nutritionally superior pet food.  This role is also responsible for driving efficiency and efficacy of all quality systems in the Emporia facility

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understands and is accountable for full compliance with safety and other EOHS requirements.
• Performs or assists vendors in the installation and qualification phases of laboratory instruments.
• Analyzes ingredients and finished product for moisture, fat, protein, ash, and minerals paralleling compliance to official laboratory methods.  
• Performs routine peroxide value, free fatty acid, and mycotoxin testing.
• Responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment and equipment calibrations.
• Understands precautions in handling reagents and disposal of chemical waste according to local and environmental regulations.
• Conducts internal and external audits of Quality Systems.
• Participates and executes corrective action planning and remediation.
• Prepares, organizes, and stores library samples.
• Adheres to quality programs such as HACCP, SOPs, and document control.
• Prepare samples for Third Party analysis
• Ability to perform NIR testing according to SOP’s and maintain calibrations as required
• Maintains and troubleshoots quality systems, equipment and programs including metal detectors, scales, and check-weighs.
• Assists in SAP processes / transactions such as hold/release, product traceability and recall, and regulatory compliance.
• Identifies continuous improvement opportunities for Quality and Micro issues.
• Conducts training for plant personnel regarding Quality and Laboratory procedures.
• Measures, records, and reports plant KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators).
• Comply with Best Laboratory & Documentation Practices
• Able to conduct CAPA analysis on out of specification laboratory results
• Orders lab supplies and maintaining budget goals
• Maintains proficiency in SAP process flow and application.  Able to quickly retrieve and understand data to support FDA, USDA, external and internal audit requests.
• Works any shift as needed, and troubleshoots quality issues over the phone during off hours.
• Understands bioterrorism initiatives and food safety and regulatory standards.
• Researches new methods and equipment through the participation in projects with other departments.
• Provides finished product data and analytical results of test products for the Pet Nutrition Center.
• Understands plant floor operations and equipment

Other job duties and projects as assigned.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS degree in Chemistry, Food Science or related field.  OR
• Bachelor's degree with 3+ years' experience in analytical laboratory in food, consumer product or pharmaceutical industry
• Ability to work any work schedule, including weekends. 
• Willing and able to work on night shift
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5 or more years of experience in an analytical laboratory.
• Knowledge of quality systems.
• Computer skills including email, spreadsheet, presentation and database management.
• Good technical, communications, and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience using SAP.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Broad Supply Chain perspective.
• Knowledge of analytical method validation

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $48,000 - $66,000 USD
Pay is based on multiple non-discriminatory, individualized factors including but not limited to experience, job-related knowledge and education, skills and office/market location. In addition to base salary, salaried employees are eligible for annual discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing and, for Executive-level (salary grade 16 and above) roles only, long-term incentives in the form of Restricted Stock Units and/or Stock Options.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable benefits plans then in effect, all salaried employees are also eligible for a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Insurance: Employees (and their eligible dependents) are eligible to participate in Company-sponsored Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Disability insurance plans.
• Retirement Plans: Employees are eligible to enroll in Colgate's 401(k) plan, which provides for company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements
• Vacation/PTO: Employees receive a minimum of 15 days of vacation/PTO leave annually
• Paid Holidays: Employees receive a minimum of 13 paid/floating holidays annually
• Paid Sick Leave: Based on location and consistent with applicable state and local law, employees receive a minimum of 40 hours of paid sick leave on January 1st of each year
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees may take up to eight weeks of paid parental leave and 12 weeks of unpaid leave (varies for employees with fewer than 12 months of service and is subject to hours worked requirements)

Our Commitment to Sustainability
With the Colgate brand in more homes than any other, we are presented with great opportunities and new challenges as we work to integrate sustainability into all aspects of our business and create positive social impact. We are determined to position ourselves for further growth as we act on our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our purpose starts with our people — ensuring our workforce represents the people and communities we serve —and creating an environment where our people feel they belong; where we can be our authentic selves, feel treated with respect and have the support of leadership to impact the business in a meaningful way.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please contact Application_Accommodation@colpal.com with the subject "Accommodation Request" should you require accommodation.
For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.
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