Lab Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

McCormick & Company, Inc., a global leader in the spice, flavor, and seasonings industry, is seeking a full-time Flavor Lab Technician III (Beverage). This new hire will work in McCormick Flavor Solutions, Geneva Plant, located at 1900 Averill Road in Geneva, IL. The position title will report to a Principal Scientist, Health & Nutrition.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor with approximately 14,000 employees worldwide. With over $6 billion in annual sales across 160 countries and territories, we manufacture, market, and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the entire food industry including e-commerce, retail,food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. Our most popular brands include McCormick, French's, Frank's RedHot, Stubb's, OLD BAY, Lawry's, Zatarain's, Ducros, Vahine, Cholula, Schwartz, Kamis, DaQiao, Club House, Aeroplane, and Gourmet Garden. Every day, no matter where or what you eat or drink, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick. Our Purpose is "To Stand Together for the Future of Flavor and our Vision is "A World United by Flavor-where healthy, sustainable and delicious go hand in hand."

As a company recognized for its exceptional commitment to employees, McCormick offers a wide variety of benefits, programs, and services. Benefits include, but are not limited to, tuition assistance, medical, dental, vision, disability, group life insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, paid holidays, and vacations.

The Health & Nutrition Lab Technician will support the Health & Nutrition Applications Team. The primary responsibility for the role will be to operate and service various beverage processing equipment for the team. In addition, this role will be responsible for preparing beverage formulations and screening flavors in a variety of tasting bases that represent finished products in the beverage industry. This will involve organizing tastings, recording data, and shipping out flavors/prototypes to customers.

Key Responsiblities

Operating advanced beverage processing equipment

Responsible for preparing beverage formulations

Setting up flavors and raw materials for screening and evaluation

Recording data

Active participation on sensory and lab panels 

Preparing and sending out shipments

Stocking, ordering, and maintaining lab supplies, and managing raw materials from plant or suppliers. 

Working to create simple beverage formulations with support from team

Thoroughly investigates the problem, begins to identify potential solutions; making recommendations to supervisor for approval.

Qualifications

Minimum of 24 college credits in math/science/culinary or up to 4 years of experience in food industry.

Up to 4 years food industry/food service/lab experience

Previous compounding and weighing experience required, with proven accuracy and strong attention to detail. Experience in a Food Manufacturing environment or lab and knowledge of food safety.

Has experience with beverage processing equipment or a strong desire to develop operational knowledge of industrial machinery.

Curiosity and innovative thinking.

Works independently and shows initiative.

Proven success multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment

Good communication skills, including written and verbal, required.

Proven ability to work within a team environment as well as the ability to work independently required.

Demonstrated problem solving skills required.

Ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities and multiple tasks, with ability to take direction from product developers, scientists, and supervisor is required.

Ability to present information to peers in a logical manner.

Ability to taste diverse foods and beverages including alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.

Knowledge of GMP's.

Ability to work accurately with calculations, such as ratios, decimals, algebra, percentages, etc., as related to flavor formulas in a fast-paced, high volume environment required.

Ability to work overtime or on short notice in the evenings

Demonstrated working knowledge of technical software or ability to learn and adapt.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with product formulary and retrieval systems

Food chemistry knowledge a plus.

Dimensions

This position is critical to the growth of the health and nutrition beverage flavor business. We are working to build relationships and partnerships with leading beverage companies. The Health & Nutrition Lab Technician will work hand in hand with the H&N scientists to grow the business and have many opportunities for individual contributions with support from senior team members.    

Physical requirements:  Ability to lift 10 pounds continuously, 25 pounds frequently, and up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Grade Pay Range: $22.40 - $31.62/hour

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.