Overview In this role, you will support manufacturing operations and product development by performing laboratory analyses, validating methods, and driving process improvements. You will work within the Operations team to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance while tackling technical challenges across the plant. Your work will contribute to continuous improvement, data-driven decisions, and the sustainable advancement of plant operations and product quality. This is a hands-on position at Kraton's Panama City site with cross-functional collaboration and opportunities to influence key processes.
Responsibilities- Conduct chemical analyses of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products
- Maintain laboratory safety, compliance, and documentation
- Provide timely analytical results and technical recommendations to manufacturing
- Investigate product quality issues and participate in Root Cause Failure Analysis
- Develop, validate, and improve analytical methods and lab procedures
- Troubleshoot production processes and seek opportunities for optimization
- Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality to resolve issues
- Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment and manage instrument performance
- Support product development and evaluation of new materials and processes
- Participate in Process Hazard Analyses and Management of Change as required
- Develop and monitor lab performance metrics to drive improvement
- Ensure EH&S compliance and support audits/regulatory inspections
- Promote best lab practices and a culture of safety and continuous improvement
Key requirements- Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial/manufacturing/specialty chemicals or QC lab
- Strong understanding of analytical chemistry and lab techniques
- Experience with GC, HPLC, FTIR, UV-Vis, ICP or related equipment
- Ability to work safely in lab and manufacturing environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Strong problem-solving and data analysis capabilities
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
- Experience in chemical manufacturing industry
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality systems
- Experience with SAP or LIMS
- Knowledge of statistical analysis and data interpretation tools
- Experience supporting process improvement and product development projects
- Familiarity with environmental and regulatory requirements for chemical manufacturing
- Communication excellence
- Problem-solving mindset
- Data-driven decision making
- Analytical chemistry principles
- Laboratory instrumentation (GC, HPLC, FTIR, UV-Vis, ICP)
- LIMS and SAP familiarity
