What are the responsibilities and job description for the Material Technology Lab Technician position at Klöckner Pentaplast?
Date: Feb 10, 2025
Location: Gordonsville, VA, US, 22942
Company: Klöckner Pentaplast
The Company
kp is a globally recognised leader in the packaging and specialty film industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The need to act on climate change has never been clearer so we incorporate sustainability into everything we do by #InvestingInBetter - creating innovative products that enhance product protection, shelf life and contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint.
At kp, we are passionate about ensuring our customers' satisfaction, and we strive to achieve this goal by focusing all our efforts on meeting their evolving needs. Our dedication to drive a positive change in the packaging industry with a focus on quality and sustainability has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner for businesses worldwide.
Summary: Performs activities associated with the qualification of new pigments and/or other raw materials. Monitors and evaluates data supplied by our outside pigment and raw material vendors. Works with marketing, sales, production, suppliers and customers in developing new colors and specifications for plastic films. Responsible for color matching and various other analytical lab requests.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Inspect, test, and approve incoming pigments and/or other raw materials supplied by outside vendors for use in production.
- At the request of the Material Technology Manager, interacts with raw material suppliers to find and test cost saving alternate raw materials.
- Sets up, monitors and controls color related setting and software for Spectrophotometers in plants. Requests help from Process Engineering and IT personnel to solve computer hardware and network problems. Trains and assists lab personnel, QC technicians and calender operators on color related issues.
- Maintians and calibrates analytical lab equipment on a scheduled basis for the Material Technology Lab.
- Assist Production, Sales, Quality, and other departments by performing various analytical procedures.
- Assists Production with troublehsooting color and/or raw material issues, and helps develop corrective actions.
- Helps resolve customer color issues and identifies causes as requested through the Lab request procedure.
- Extrapolate pigment-loading levels for color adjustments. Provides basic pigment cost calculation.
- With input and direction from the Material Technology Manager, writes rough drafts leading to final documents approved by the KPA document and procedure approval process.
Qualifications:
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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language Skills :
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Training and certification in “The Theory of Color” is desirable. Training in problem solving techniques is desirable.
Other Skills and Abilities:
Must have a good eye for color. Knowledge of spectrophotometers, how to set them up and how to use them in a day-to-day color evaluation. Must have a working knowledge of statistical methods and how to apply them to setting up color specifications. The individual should possess good team skills. A background in plastics calendaring and extrusion is desired.
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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Apply Now!
If you are determined, thrive in a fast-paced environment with high levels of accountability and focus, then we’d love to meet you! Please apply using the link below.
At kp, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is vital to our global success. We welcome applicants from all identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We aim to create an inclusive culture where our employees feel empowered to play to their strengths and see themselves reflected in the organization without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual preference, marital status, or inclusion in any other protected class.
