Job Description
Job Description
Job Title: Lab Production Technician Location: Conover, NC, USA
FLSA: Non-Exempt Department: Profile Innovation (R&D)
Reports to: Sr. Research Scientist Status: Full Time
Customary Days: Monday – Friday; 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Customary Hours: 40 hours per week; occasional weekend hours, as needed or as scheduled; hours may be extended when work load is increased
Position Summary:
This position performs as a resource for Profile Innovation (R&D) through the management and operation of all levels of activity on the R&D soil (growing media/substrate) mix line, and through the assignment of special R&D lab projects to support the Growing Solutions business at the Profile Products Conover, NC, facility.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Operate and calibrate soil mix line equipment (bulk hoppers for peat, coir, bark; chemical hoppers; fiber opener; etc.)
- Assess issues and place preventive or curative maintenance requests for the soil mix line
- Accept, confirm, enter, and update Bills of Materials (BOM) to produce bulk customer sample orders to specifications
- Produce QA/QC sample test blend substrates for customer samples and for R&D
- Build and check soil mix line recipes in the AgriNomix/Ewon system for sample orders on the soil mix line
- Inspect and acknowledge incoming, non-stock raw materials for the soil mix line
- Safely operate a forklift, squeeze truck, or other production-related equipment, as assigned
- Manage the inventory of non-stock raw materials, amendments, and packaging for the R&D soil mix line
- Manage the soil mix line sample retain inventory, organization, and storage and adhere to disposal/material handling protocols
- Generate, record, and report quality metrics for the soil mix line
- Request or transfer raw materials from the warehouse or from supply chain
- Complete shipping transfers and Bills of Lading (BOL) for soil mix line samples
- Complete routine substrate lab assessments and yield testing of peat, coir, bark, wood fiber, etc.
- Install, manage, and execute R&D lab trials, as assigned
- Collect, organize, and summarize data from R&D lab trials, as assigned
- Assist in functions of the R&D greenhouse or trial garden, as assigned
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work environment
- Manage additional laboratory or sample production functions and support other divisions of the business, as assigned
Job Requirements
Education and Experience: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- 1-2 years of experience in horticulture, agriculture, soil science, plant science, or related fields
- Associate’s degree in science is preferred
- Horticulture testing lab experience is beneficial, but not required
- Forklift or heavy equipment operation
Essential Qualifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Possession of excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Attentiveness to detail and the ability to record detailed observations
- Ability to work independently, as well as to collaborate in a team environment
- Ability to balance multiple tasks at a given time
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
- Capacity to manage time without constant supervision
- Proficiency with basic MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
- Proficiency with basic camera operation
Language Skills:
- Ability to read, write, and speak in English
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or to hear
- Possess the ability to fulfill office activities normally expected in an office setting to include, but are not limited to: remaining seated for periods of time, performing computer data entry, participating in filing activity, lifting and carrying office supplies (paper reams, mail, etc.)
- Possess the ability to fulfill laboratory activities normally expected in a laboratory setting, to include, but are not limited to: remaining seated or standing for periods of time, recording data, and performing tests with specialized equipment
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
- May require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position
- Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding, laboratory tests, greenhouse tests)
Work Environment:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- This position works in a laboratory, manufacturing, and greenhouse environment
- Noise levels in the office or laboratory are low to moderate; noise levels in the manufacturing environment are moderate to loud; noise levels in the greenhouse environment are low to moderate
- Work conditions can present extremes of cold or of heat
- Work conditions can be dusty or malodorous
- No travel is associated with this position beyond local transportation