Quality Control Lead Technician

Avantor is looking for a Quality Control Lead Technician to join our NuSil Carpinteria, CA team!

This is a 2nd (second) shift role with the working hours of Monday-Friday, 3:00pm - 11:30pm PST.

What we're looking for

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) is required; An Associate or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field is preferred
• Experience:
  • If you have a high school diploma or GED: 4+ years of Quality Lab experience is required
  • If you have an Associate or Bachelor's degree: 2+ years of Quality Lab experience is required
• Collaboration Tool: Basic computer skills (Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience coordinating projects
  • Experience with Silicone chemistries
  • Experience with analytical techniques (GC, GPC, UV/Vis, FTIR)
  • Experience with basic troubleshooting and upkeep of instruments (Rheometers, GC, GPC, UV/Vis, FTIR)
  • Experience participating in Root Cause Investigations utilizing basic QA tools: fishbone diagram, check sheets, control charts, histograms, Pareto charts, scatter diagrams, and flow charts

How you will thrive and create an impact

The Lead plays a key role in driving daily manufacturing operations by independently performing hands-on lab work, including material qualifications. From running critical tests and inspections to ensure materials are ready for the next stage, to troubleshooting and executing specialized testing as needed, this role keeps the process moving smoothly. The Lead also helps foster team growth by training new associates.

• Ensure compliance with company quality standards and industry regulations to maintain quality within the scope of the job description. This includes documentation and reporting.
• 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 testing, including appearance, viscosity, pH, loss on drying, acid/base titrations, tensile testing, curing processes, and shelf-life reinspections across various material stages (uncured, mixed, cured, post-cured, intermediates, and final product).
• Performs standardized Test Methods for validation purposes.
• Provides training to other associates on QC Test Methods and Equipment Operating Procedures.
• Independently investigates and troubleshoots unexpected testing results at the QC Lab level.
• Updates team on current testing status and instrument readiness during the shift change.
• Leads shift change meetings and presents TDM data to the QC team.
• Ensures logs are completed and conform to GDP.
• Establishes and implements a 6S program, with daily schedule, to ensure best practices for safety, productivity, and cleanliness in the lab space(s).
• Supports laboratory inventory upkeep, ensuring supplies are properly stocked, labeled, and accessible.
• Logs and disposes of retain samples; maintains a clean and organized retain sample area.
• Creates and manages inventory schedule based on disposal dates and material availability.
• Performs daily calibration verifications on instruments such as GC, GPC, Instron, and balances.
• Prepares and verifies calibration standard solutions and curves for GC, GPC, UV/Vis, and APHA colorimetry.
• Generates change orders related to QC (i.e. SOP, TM, EOP, or other relevant documents)
• Supports routine and supervised non-routine testing of materials related to defects, customer complaints, and opportunity analysis projects.
• Under supervision, may develop new test methods using existing or new technology. I.e. project management, and technical consulting.
• Prepare samples for outside testing by following specified procedures.
• Manages samples from submission to disposal, including Test Request samples.
• Prepares samples for testing in accordance with approved test method procedures.
• Works closely with other functional teams and provides Quality technical SME feedback for internal challenges (Ex. Production or development issues).
• Orders supplies and audits laboratory inventory.
• Supports internal and external audits.
• Follows applicable safety procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

In addition to:

• May independently perform routine and occasional QC testing. I.e., Xylenes Content by GC-FID, Silanol Content by Manometric Analysis, and Peroxide Cures with the use of Catalysts.
• May perform external customers' commercial Testing (ASTM E 595, testing requests, contracted stability protocols)
• May audit retainer inventory to ensure retainers are being logged and disposed of following retainer inventory SOP
• May ensure analytical testing instruments (GC, GPC, UV/Vis, and/or FTIR) are functioning properly and call for repairs when needed.
• May prepare solvent solutions used in calibration standards.
• May approve Change Orders in Agile. I.e. Test Requests, DCOs, PCOs, etc.
• May provide support with independent execution of non-routine testing of materials related to defects, customer complaints, and opportunity analysis projects.
• May provide QC associates with guidance and recommendation on the prioritization of testing related to defects, customer complaints, and opportunity analysis projects against routine testing.
• May participate in teams on behalf of QC in project-based work (Ex. Defect investigations, customer complaints, product development, Qualification & Validation)
• May create and execute Protocols (Ex. Validation, IQ/OQ/PQ, stability)
• May lead projects with time scales <1 year (Ex. validation, investigative testing, continuous improvement).

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE JOB COMPETENTLY

• Experience handling chemicals safely
• Experience with basic physical chemistry parameters (pH, pressure, temperature)
• Experience in a good laboratory practices environment
• Experience with basic troubleshooting and upkeep of testing instruments (viscosity, pH, and loss on drying.)
• Experience using calibrated instruments
• Experience executing calibrations independently
• Experience in a lab environment
• Experience aligning lab practices with regulatory/standards documents (Ex. USP, ASTM, ISO, etc.)
• Strong communication and technical writing skills
• Effective time management and organizational abilities
• Detail-oriented with critical thinking skills
• Team-oriented and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Capable of understanding and following procedures accurately
• Proven experience providing training to other associates on test methods
• Proficient in Good Documentation Practices (GDP)

#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.