Raw Material (Chemical) Technician

KDC is a network of best-in-class custom formulators and manufacturers of color cosmetics, skincare, haircare, bath & body, fragrance, deodorant, home, health, industrial, and auto care products. KDC delivers high-touch innovation, operational excellence, and speed to market to well-known and emerging beauty, personal, and specialty companies from coast to coast. KDC has its head office in Longueuil, Québec. In addition, KDC has 10 operating facilities located throughout North America. Altogether, the company employs nearly 4,800 talented and dedicated employees in North America.

General Description

The Raw Material (RM) Lab Technician is responsible for performing physical, chemical, and analytical testing of incoming raw materials used in cosmetic and personal care manufacturing. This position ensures raw materials meet established specifications, regulatory requirements, and quality standards prior to release for production.

The RM Lab Technician performs testing, maintains laboratory records, supports investigations, calibrates laboratory equipment, and assists in maintaining compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Raw Material Testing

• Perform physical, chemical, and analytical testing of incoming raw materials according to approved specifications, test methods, USP standards, and company procedures.

• Conduct identification testing utilizing analytical techniques including:

• FTIR

• UV-Visible Spectrophotometry

• Wet Chemistry Methods

• Titration Methods

• Perform physical testing including:

• Color

• Odor

• Appearance

• pH

• Moisture

• Loss on Drying

• Viscosity

• Specific Gravity

• Refractive Index

• Melting Point

• Perform assay and quantitative testing on raw materials using approved laboratory procedures.

• Evaluate test results and determine compliance with established specifications.

• Release approved raw materials within inventory or material management systems.

Laboratory Operations

• Maintain accurate laboratory records, logbooks, forms, and electronic documentation.
• Document testing activities in accordance with GMP and data integrity requirements.
• Prepare, label, and maintain reagents, standards, and laboratory solutions.
• Retain and organize raw material samples according to laboratory procedures.
• Assist with laboratory inventory and supply management.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready laboratory environment.

Equipment Maintenance & Calibration

• Perform routine calibration, verification, and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Ensure laboratory instrumentation is functioning properly and within calibration requirements.
• Troubleshoot laboratory equipment and report issues to management.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance activities as required.

Quality & Compliance

• Follow all Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), SOPs, and company policies.
• Support Out-of-Specification (OOS), Out-of-Trend (OOT), and deviation investigations as required.
• Maintain accurate and complete laboratory documentation.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Adhere to all Health, Safety, and Environmental requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes and efficiency.
• Assist with implementing process improvements and best practices.
• Collaborate with Quality, Production, Warehouse, and Regulatory teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field preferred but not required.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience performing raw material testing in a Quality Control laboratory.
• Experience in cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceutical, food, chemical, or other regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience with raw material specifications, sampling, and release processes preferred.
• Experience using laboratory instruments and wet chemistry techniques preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of raw material testing procedures and laboratory practices.
• Understanding of GMP, GLP, and laboratory documentation requirements.
• Experience with FTIR, UV-Vis, titration, and other laboratory testing methods preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good mathematical and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic to intermediate Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• Ability to handle laboratory chemicals using appropriate PPE.
• Ability to perform repetitive laboratory testing activities.

Work Environment

• Cosmetic and personal care manufacturing laboratory environment.
• Low to moderate noise level.
• Proper lighting and ventilation.
• Exposure to laboratory chemicals and testing materials while using appropriate safety procedures and PPE.

Quality Policy

KDC/ONE employees are committed to the development, production, and delivery of safe, high-quality personal care products that consistently meet or exceed customer expectations.

KDC-ONE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. I understand that employment with KDC-ONE Company is at-will, meaning that I or KDC-ONE Company may terminate my employment at any time, or for any reason consistent with applicable state or federal law. I understand that KDC-One requires the successful completion of a drug and/or alcohol test as a condition of employment.