The LYCRA Company is a premier supplier of differentiated fiber products from a global manufacturing base with assets in Europe, USA, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Singapore.

Our Apparel business works with leading consumer brands, retailers, and fabric mills all over the world to leverage our innovative ingredient brand fibers including LYCRA® fiber, COOLMAX® fabric, THERMOLITE® fabric, SUPPLEX® fabric and TACTEL® fiber. The LYCRA Company is a leading supplier in the global apparel markets including ready-to-wear, intimate apparel, swimwear, activewear, outdoor and career apparel. 

The LYCRA Company is seeking a Chemical Laboratory Operator located at our manufacturing plant in Waynesboro, Virginia. This position is a critical role, which will provide support to the Waynesboro production team and Benger Research & Development team. 

 The position will report to Process Control and Physical Testing Laboratory Supervisor

 Job Summary:

• Perform a wide range of analytical chemistry testing on various chemicals, polymers, and solutions (i.e. Essential/Raw Materials, toxicology, In-process materials, etc.)
• Use, set up, and troubleshoot various lab equipment such as Gas Chromatography (GC), titrators, Karl Fischer, Colorimeter, Ash oven, etc.
• Be a chemical quality control resource for the plant, ensuring all products are of the highest quality. 
• Prepare, standardize, validate, and analyze a variety of chemicals, solutions, and products for control purposes using standard and unique analytical procedures.
• Closely follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) or Job Procedures (JP).
• Data Collection, analysis, and presentation of results using Microsoft office and other data management systems.
• Ensure all laboratory equipment is running as designed and/or programmed by performing quality checks, both internally and externally.
• Safe handling of chemicals is a must, including familiarity with Safety Data Sheets (SDS or MSDS), 3E online and Chemlist systems for chemical inventory and management.
• Be a contributor to quality control, quality assurance, and quality inspection.
• Assist in testing for research and development. 
• Comply with government regulation monitoring. 
• Working independently with minimal supervision.
• Having a strong sense of urgency and commitment to achieving outstanding results and delivering those results.
• Communicating with others across the organization.
• Utilizing strong observation and critical thinking skills.

 Qualifications (Required):

• Successful completion of a College-Level Chemistry Course with an in-person Laboratory Component OR 2+ years of Laboratory Work Experience.
• An associate’s degree or higher
• Must be willing and able to work a normal 8-hour daylight shift schedule of 6:00am–2:00pm, Monday through Friday; however, as a vacation relief employee, must also be willing and able to work 12-hour shifts (5:00am–5:00pm or 10:00am–10:00pm), including weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Must be willing and able to cross-train and provide support in the PT Lab as needed.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by the operating areas (i.e., safety glasses, protective footwear, hearing protection, and at times, a respirator).
• Physical Abilities (Required unless able to reasonably accommodate).
  • Stand (up to 16 hours), bend/stoop, twist, crouch, kneel, balance, and reach at/below and above shoulder level.
  • Occasionally carry up to 50 pounds.
  • Occasionally push/pull up to 75 pounds.

Qualifications (Preferred):

• Experience working in a laboratory (Preferably in an industrial setting)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products

As a principled-based organization, The LYCRA Company is committed to a fair, respectful, and equitable workplace that embraces diversity and reflects the communities in which it operates. This helps foster an environment where employees feel valued, fulfilled, and able to achieve their full potential. Furthermore, we believe that a diverse workforce operating in such an environment is central to our success, as we need not only the right skill sets but also a wide breadth of perspectives and ideas, diverse life experiences, & a seamless collaboration between employees to achieve our company purpose of “enhancing life through innovative garment solutions.