Lab Technician

Objective

The Lab Technician’s prime objectives are to accurately perform all the quality assurance chemical analysis and some physical analysis, repair and upkeep lab equipment and help ensure compliance at all stages of the cement manufacturing process in a safe working environment.

These activities include but are not limited to the determination of chemical and physical properties of material; performing, tracking and reporting calibrations;

compliance, maintenance and troubleshooting of breakdowns of all laboratory equipment. The Lab Technician verifies that the cement products meet both the internal and external quality standards and participates in and maintains a high level of accuracy in all standardized testing programs.

The Lab Technician reports directly to the Quality Supervisor and participates in cross functional teams in the plant.

Responsibilities

Safety :

• Promotes and complies with Company safety policies.
• Proposes and takes corrective actions on unsafe conditions and behaviors at the plant.
• Participates and contributes to rectifying all lab safety issues and completes the monthly Safety Toolbox package.
• Complies with all laboratory safety procedures and ensures WHMIS labelling on all chemical solutions.
• Actively participates in team-based safety.

Environment :

Ensures that all quality activities and initiatives meet environmental regulatory requirement.

Quality Assurance :

• Applies the laboratory QA & QC procedures.
• Guarantees the accuracy and reliability of lab data.
• Performs equipment maintenance, monitoring and calibrations.
• Aids in the training and certification of personnel that is assigned to the lab.
• Participate in the annual Lafarge Round Robin testing, CCRL program and audits and ISO audits.

Quality Control :

• Actively participate in daily process meetings and proactively implements actions generated from the meeting.
• Maintains chemical inventory log, checks daily and reorders consumables as required.
• Prepares all chemical solutions used in the lab and maintains inventory

Problem Solving :

• Participates to Root Cause Analysis program.
• Participates in cross-functional teams to resolve issues at the plant.

Continuous Improvement :

Tests all trial samples related to Alternative Raw materials, Alternative fuel, Process and Cement improvement projects.

Relationship with Others :

• Reports to the Quality Supervisor
• Works with and alongside the Lab B operator and Physical Tester
• Works with cross-functional teams involving Production, Process, Safety, Environment and Maintenance

Specific Accountabilities :

• Maintains safe laboratory operations and WHMIS labelling of all solutions in the laboratory.
• Participates in all safety related meetings, improvement projects and toolbox talks.
• Maintains reliability of lab equipment and adheres to preventive maintenance plans and activity logs.
• Performs internal calibrations in accordance to the calibration plan.
• Performs testing to assure cement products comply with internal and regulatory standards.
• Performs in-process raw materials testing to verify chemical compositions and analyzes alternative raw materials to help determine acceptance or rejection of materials.
• Maintains and manages stock of lab consumables and supplies.
• Update and Reviews quality data in Technical Information System (TIS) for bulk shipping samples and raw materials.
• Reports issues that would cause product non-conformity.
• Follows and suggests improvements to Quality procedures.
• Participates in internal and external audits for ISO Quality Management System.
• Participates in Process department audits and Environmental sampling campaigns.
• Collaborates with production, process and maintenance to ensure implementation of quality improvement projects.
• Follows proposed targets and / or limits applied to the various parameters in order to meet customer requirements and national / international standards.
• Performs tests for the market and competitor sampling program. Ensure samples are sent accordingly. Immediately report to Supervisor when samples are missing.
• Maintains cleanliness of long term storage area.
• Participates in the plant On-Call system
• Provides relief for quality staff as required.

Dimensions

• Direct Reports : none
• Indirect Reports : none
• Volumes : 1,, clinker 1,, cement tons
• Areas : 2 crushers, 1 raw mill / 1 silica mill, 1 kiln, 2 finish mill / 1 dock

Qualification Profile

Education and Work Experience :

• College technical diploma (minimum requirement)
• Competent in Microsoft Office suite
• Able to lift up to 50lbs
• Prior laboratory experience would be considered an asset

Preferred skills :

• Analytical skills to safely, precisely and accurately perform tests and calculations.
• Mechanical skills to effectively troubleshoot and repair sensitive laboratory equipment.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working in a team environment (co-workers, suppliers, etc)
• Highly motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational skills, and a proven ability to perform under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to interact with plant personnel
• Demonstrated commitment to achieving organizational and personal goals
• Flexible to work depending on plant needs.

Job Specific Competencies

• Drive for results
• Integrity and Trust
• Customer Focus
• Communicating
• Conflict management
• Time management

We thank you for your interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Lafarge is committed to the principles of employment equity and encourages the applications from women, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Lafarge Canada Inc. welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. In Ontario, our organization / business is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.