Quality Control Analytical Chemist - Ashland Inc

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Quality Control Analytical Chemist to join our Ashland LLC, Specialty Ingredients G.P. business at our Hopewell, Virginia site. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the Quality function. This position will report to the Compliance Manager.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Oversees all aspects of Laboratory instrument operations that contribute to the site’s production of high-quality products.

• Responsible for documented test methodology and associated work instructions.
• Ensures that analytical laboratory methods are validated and compliant.
• Ensures that all laboratory equipment and testing facilities are well maintained and in good working order.
• Troubleshoots laboratory instrument and analytical problems.
• Manage laboratory instrument preventive maintenance and internal calibration verification checks.
• Monitors and resolves laboratory data drifts and trends.
• Perform non-routine testing for the purposes of new instrument validation or method transfers.
• Develops analytical method equivalency and Gage R&R studies.
• Prepares formal requests for new laboratory instrumentation (project capital requests).
• Coordinates efforts with others in the site’s Quality department and the corporate analytical teams to maintain the needed documentation required to support continued ISO 9001, EFfCI, EXCiPACT and other certifications or company standards, including data integrity of the laboratory equipment.
• Provides training, instruction and adherence to analytical testing, safety procedures, ISO-9001 standards, data integrity, and current good manufacturing practices(cGMP).
• Works to eliminate non-value-added work to increase efficiency in the Lab.
• Participates in Quality, Safety and Environmental initiatives that will contribute to compliance of State/Federal regulations and improve existing Company programs.

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry or closely related discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of laboratory experience
• Well-versed in analytical laboratory testing, wet testing, analytical method development, and chemical plant processes. 
• Expertise in gas chromatography.
• Knowledgeable in quality assurance systems, statistical quality control & procedures, cGMP guidelines & regulations, and ISO 9001 standards.
• Effective communicator and can interface well with employees at all levels, outside vendors, customers, and corporate visitors.  Holds working knowledge of current software systems, i.e. SAP, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• Understanding of Food Safety, EFfCI, and EXCiPACT standards.
• Minimum of 2 years of quality or laboratory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Quality Risk Management and change management.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.
 
At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.
 
Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.
 
Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE:  We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.