Chemical manufacturing quality technician

Chemical manufacturing quality technician article illustration

Description

Chemical manufacturing quality technicians perform inspections and precision measurements in order to test and ensure the quality of products such as raw materials, packing materials, and finished products, by using computer-controlled machinery and systems. They run regular inspection checks and carefully document the results.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to chemical manufacturing quality technician:

chemistry quality control technician
QC technician chemical manufacturing
manufacturing quality technician
qc technician chemical manufacturing
chemical manufacturing quality tester
chemical production quality technician
chemical manufacturing quality assurance officer
manufacturing quality technician chemicals
chemicals quality inspector
chemical manufacturing quality inspector

Minimum qualifications

An associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or microbiology, or a related field, is generally the minimum required to work as a chemical manufacturing quality technician. However, most employers prefer a two-year degree in a scientific discipline plus two to five years of experience in a research laboratory or process development environment. Further training by the chemical manufacturing quality technician can be obtained with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from a college or university.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Chemical manufacturing quality technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Chemical manufacturing quality technician career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to chemical manufacturing quality technician.

chemical processing plant controller
quality engineering technician
chemical engineering technician
chemical processing supervisor
groundwater monitoring technician

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of chemical manufacturing quality technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of chemical manufacturing quality technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

pharmaceutical quality specialist
analytical chemist
quality engineer
assayer
water quality analyst

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of chemical manufacturing quality technician.

  • Good manufacturing practices: Regulatory requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) applied in the relevant manufacturing sector.
  • Good laboratory practice: Regulatory requirements and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) applied in the relevant manufacturing sector.
  • Controlled substances permits: The legal requirements and licenses required when handling controlled substances.
  • Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of chemical manufacturing quality technician.

  • Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
  • Use ICT systems: Select and use ICT systems for a variety of complex tasks in order to meet a variety of needs.
  • Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
  • Perform product testing: Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
  • Monitor manufacturing quality standards: Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.
  • Oversee quality control: Monitor and assure the quality of the provided goods or services by overseeing that all the factors of the production meet quality requirements. Supervise product inspection and testing.
  • Adhere to standard procedures: Adhere to and follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
  • Document analysis results: Document on paper or on electronic devices the process and the results of the samples analysis performed.
  • Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
  • Communicate test results to other departments: Communicate testing information such as testing schedules, samples testing statistics and test results, to the relevant departments.
  • Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
  • Use non-destructive testing equipment: Use specific non-destructive testing methods and equipment that do not cause any damage to the product, such as X-rays, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, industrial CT scanning and others, in order to find defects in and assure quality of a manufactured and a repaired product.
  • Test chemical samples: Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
  • Use chemical analysis equipment: Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.
  • Prepare chemical samples: Prepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chemical manufacturing quality technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Quality assurance procedures: The procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.
  • Biotechnology: The technology that uses, modifies or harnesses biological systems, organisms and cellular components to develop new technologies and products for specific uses.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chemical manufacturing quality technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Use chromatography software: Use the chromatography data system software which collects and analyses the chromatography detectors results.
  • Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
  • Set quality assurance objectives: Define quality assurance targets and procedures and see to their maintenance and continued improvement by reviewing targets, protocols, supplies, processes, equipment and technologies for quality standards.
  • Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
  • Monitor environmental parameters: Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
  • Issue licences: Issue official documentation which grants licence holders with official permission to perform certain activities, after having investigated the application and processed the necessary documentation.
  • Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
  • Train staff in safety procedures: Educate and train team members in the safety procedures relevant to the mission of the team.
  • Train staff in quality procedures: Educate and train team members in the quality procedures related to the mission of the team.
  • Manage chemical processes inspection: Manage the chemical in-process inspection, making sure the inspection results are documented, the inspection procedures are well written and the checklists are updated.
  • Revise quality control systems documentation: Revise quality control documents. Read through the documents, editing them, and revise items in the documentation like the numbering scheme, process to create new documents, revision and follow up process, closure of non-conformities, methods for tracking documents, etc.
  • Maintain test equipment: Maintain equipment used for testing the quality of systems and products.
  • Validate raw materials using adequate equipment: Perform equipment validations and calibrations, along with methods and procedures for receiving incoming raw materials from suppliers.
  • Recommend product improvements: Recomend product modifications and process improvements.
  • Develop procedures in case of defects: Determine the steps and corrective actions to be taken in case of quality flaws such as the introduction of new quality management systems or the replacement of machinery.
  • Support implementation of quality management systems: Advocate the introduction of new business processes to help achieve quality standards, such as the improvement of the organisational structure or the development of new procedures in case of quality defects.
  • Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.
  • Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
  • Perform quality audits: Execute regular, systematic and documented examinations of a quality system for verifying conformity with a standard based on objective evidence such as the implementation of processes, effectiveness in achieving quality goals and reduction and elimination of quality problems.
  • Manage manufacturing documentation: Manage the reports and technical documentation such as Standard Operating Procedures or logbooks, by writing and reviewing them, capturing and eliminating any deviation and ambiguity.
  • Analyse production processes for improvement: Analyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.

ISCO group and title

3116 – Chemical engineering technicians


References
  1. Chemical manufacturing quality technician – ESCO
  2. Chemistry Quality Control Technician | Biotech Careers
  3. Featured image: Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels
Last updated on February 3, 2023