What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chemist - Lab Supervisor position at Plainsman LLC?
Department: Quality
Reports To: VP of Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Worker Category: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday with occasional weekends. 7 AM - 5 PM
Compensation: Based on experience
Position Summary
The Chemist(Lab Supervisor/Quality Manager) is responsible for managing all laboratory and quality control operations within the cottonseed oil mill. This includes chemical and physical testing of crude and refined cottonseed oil, cottonseed meal (animal feed), hulls, and by-products. The role also oversees protein, moisture, and nutrient analysis for cottonseed meal supplied to feed/flour markets, ensuring compliance with regulatory and customer specifications.
Key Responsibilities
1. Oil Quality Control & Chemical Analysis
- Conduct and supervise routine and advanced testing
- Soap stock and fatty acids
- Perform analysis
- Ensure testing complies with methods from:
- American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS)
- ISO quality systems
- Food and Drug Administration (or relevant national food/feed authority)
- Other agricultural regulatory bodies
2. Cottonseed Meal / Feed Testing (Flour & Animal Feed Markets)
- Conduct a proximate analysis of cottonseed commodities
- Monitor and control free and total gossypol levels to meet feed safety standards.
- Perform routine tests
- Ensure meals meet customer specifications for livestock and poultry feed formulations.
- Issue Certificates of Analysis (COA) for Oil and flour meat shipments.
3. Operation of Protein Analyzer / Protein Testing Equipment
- Operate and maintain protein determination systems
- Calibrate and standardize protein machines according to manufacturer and laboratory protocols.
- Conduct routine validation and quality control checks using certified reference materials.
- Troubleshoot equipment errors and coordinate preventive maintenance.
4. Laboratory Supervision & Management
- Supervise lab technicians and quality control assistants.
- Develop and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Ensure proper documentation of all laboratory results.
- Maintain calibration logs and chemical inventory.
- Implement Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
5. Process Monitoring & Production Support
- Monitor refining stages
- Provide technical feedback to production to:
- Investigate quality deviations and implement corrective actions.
6. Compliance, Safety & Environmental Control
- Ensure safe handling and disposal of laboratory chemicals.
- Maintain compliance with food safety standards.
- Support internal and external audits.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, or Chemical Engineering.
Experience
Technical Competencies
- Strong understanding of:
- Oilseed chemistry
- Feed quality standards
- Protein analysis techniques
Soft Skills
- Leadership and team coordination
- Strong analytical ability
- Excellent documentation skills
- High attention to detail
- Strong problem-solving skills
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Oil quality compliance rate
- Meal protein specification accuracy
- Reduction in residual oil in meal
- Laboratory turnaround time
- Audit compliance results
- Equipment uptime and calibration accuracy
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Yes
- Review and approve timecards.
- Coach and reprimand direct reports when assigned
- Complete performance evaluations during the designated time period for direct reports.
Additional User-Defined Responsibilities as a Senior Level Chemist consist of:
- Supervise laboratory chemists and technicians.
- Provide technical training on analytical chemistry and instrumentation.
- Collaborate with production, maintenance, and procurement teams.
- Review supplier quality documentation for raw cottonseed.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
REASONING ABILITY: Understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
ADDITIONAL 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 accommodation 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 stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. Must be able to walk, stand, bend, climb stairs, ladders, and Cat Walks at heights of 30 feet. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. It is essential to know the following:
- Work in hot, humid, dusty, or noisy conditions
- Facilities may run 24/7, so shift-specific safety protocols and coverage are important.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. Use of personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, respirators, hearing protectors, etc., is required in designated areas.
Call-ins: Employee will be subjected to call-ins on weekends and off-hours.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
Plainsman, LLC. Industries Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
We value diversity and inclusion in our workplace and believe that a variety of perspectives foster innovation and success. Our hiring, promotion, compensation, and training practices are designed to ensure fairness and equity for all employees.
Plainsman, LLC. complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and other relevant statutes.