Laboratory Technician

We are seeking an experienced, ambitious, result-driven Laboratory Technician.

Reports to: Lab Manager

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Day Shift

Positions supervised: N/A

Who is Aztalan Bio?

Aztalan’s story is just beginning, and you can be part of it!  ClonBio Group acquired Wisconsin’s largest ethanol plant in 2022 located in the village of Aztalan, just outside Jefferson, WI.  The facility will process 40 million bushels of locally grown feed corn per year, turning that into food-grade corn oil, vegetable protein concentrates and isolates for food applications, aquaculture feeds, renewable natural gas, organic fertilizer, ethanol, and dietary fiber for foods, among other things.  We are scheduled to start the facility in the fall of 2023 and are currently hiring!

Aztalan’s sister facility, Pannonia Bio in Hungary is one of the most technologically advanced grain biorefineries in the world.  Over the next several years, Aztalan will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into a biorefinery transformation every bit as innovative as Pannonia’s but uniquely suited to Wisconsin’s strengths.  Aztalan Bio is owned by ClonBio Group who is family-owned and invests in their people for long-term success.  We have a dedicated internal team of engineers and scientists from 23 countries and 5 continents, an investment in people that explains why ClonBio’s biorefineries are so technologically advanced.

Position Overview

The Laboratory Technician helps to implement the quality assurance (QA) program for the facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Implements facility’s QA program based on best practice in the ethanol industry by sampling various points in the process and conducting QA tests.
• Ensures accuracy of analysis of samples and provides results in a timely manner.
• Monitors use and inventories of laboratory chemicals and supplies.
• Operates, maintains, and calibrates laboratory equipment.
• Reviews reports, analyzes data and makes recommendations for adjusting process conditions to ensure that quality assurance standards are met.
• Maintains safety, health and environmental policies and procedures.
• Ensures city, county, state, and federal regulations relating to the QA laboratory are met at all times.
• Participates in the safety program for the QA laboratory.
• Communicates directly with production department to ensure effective participation by the process operators in the implementation of QA policies and procedures.
• Implements programs and procedures required to ensure laboratory and plant cleanliness.

 

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associates (or higher level) degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field.
• Prior laboratory work experience related to quality control/assurance in a manufacturing or food processing environment.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting automated laboratory equipment (such as HPLC or GC) preferred.
• Experience with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) preferred.
• Working knowledge of computers including MS Office, and Excel LIMS, Pi or SAP preferred and the willingness to learn new software applications.

Work Environment & Physical Demands (choose only the ones that apply)

• Primary work environment is a lab setting, however will enter the plant environment for sampling.
• When in the plant environment, employee may be exposed to moderate to high noise levels, moving mechanical parts, and/or to chemicals used in the process.
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate. Occasional exposure to high noise levels.
• Occasional exposure to chemicals used in the lab and in the process.
• Humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Personal Protective Equipment such as safety glasses, steel-toed boots, flame-resistant clothing, and hearing protection will regularly be required (or may be required)
• Regularly required to walk, sit, talk, and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and may occasionally be required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee will be required to do some walking/climbing stairs and occasional use of ladders.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Aztalan Bio LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.