Lead Laboratory Technician

Job Summary

We are seeking a safety focused detail oriented Chemist / Lead Laboratory Technician to join the Koch fertilizer plant laboratory team. The role performs field sampling, routine wet chemistry and instrumental analysis, safe handling of hazardous materials, and laboratory data analysis to support plant process control and product quality. In this laboratory, a Lead Lab Tech is distinguished by independent execution of advanced testing, ownership of methods and equipment, and responsibility for developing others—not by tenure alone.

Schedule: 9/80 compressed work schedule, allowing employees to work 80 hours over 9 days with every other Friday off.

Start Date: Targeting a start date in September 2026, with flexibility based on candidate and business needs.

• Independently plan and execute advanced testing across multiple laboratory methods with minimal supervision.
• Provide backup coverage for the Lab Manager as needed.
• Perform laboratory and field sampling and analyses using established wet chemistry and instrumental methods (e.g., titration, pH, spectrophotometry, ion chromatography, gas chromatography, ICP).
• Prepare chemical solutions, standards, and dilutions; maintain accurate laboratory records and data systems.
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment; document calibration and maintenance activities.
• Follow all site safety, environmental, and laboratory procedures; safely handle hazardous chemicals in accordance with SDS and PPE requirements.
• Support quality control activities including QC checks, control charts, investigation of out of spec results, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering to support troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coverage during plant events such as shutdowns and startups, as needed.

• 5+ years of hands‑on laboratory experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Experience in analytical data interpretation, chemical calculations, and preparation of solutions and dilutions.
• Experience performing laboratory analyses using wet chemistry and/or instrumental techniques (titration, spectrophotometry, etc.).
• Must be able to work shifts as required, and to respond to plant events beyond normal hours when necessary.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field with 5+ years of hands‑on laboratory experience in a plant setting.
• Experience with advanced analytical techniques (e.g., Karl Fischer, GC, IC, ICP, TOC).
• Experience with quality systems, including QC/QA processes, basic statistics, and data trending.
• Experience using LIMS and strong Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click for additional information.

Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region.