Lab Technician - Beauty Products

A Lab Technician – Beauty Products (2nd & 3rd Shift) role in Ottawa, IL typically blends hands‑on laboratory testing, quality control, and production support. Here is a polished, employer‑ready job description written in that style.

Lab Technician – Beauty & Personal Care Products (2nd & 3rd Shift)

Location: Ottawa, IL
Shifts: 2nd Shift (2:00 PM–10:00 PM) | 3rd Shift (10:00 PM–6:00 AM)
Department: Quality / R&D / Production Support
Reports To: Quality Supervisor or Laboratory Manager

Position Overview

The Lab Technician supports the testing, evaluation, and release of beauty and personal care products—including skincare, cosmetics, and haircare formulations—produced at the Ottawa manufacturing facility. This role performs routine and non‑routine laboratory analyses, ensures products meet quality and regulatory standards, and partners closely with production teams to maintain consistent product performance. The technician will work independently on off‑shifts and must demonstrate strong attention to detail, accuracy, and adherence to GMP and safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Product Testing & Analysis

• Perform physical, chemical, and microbiological testing on raw materials, in‑process batches, and finished beauty products.
• Conduct viscosity, pH, color, odor, stability, and appearance evaluations according to established specifications.
• Complete batch adjustments under supervision to bring products into specification.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory reagents, standards, and testing solutions.
• Perform environmental monitoring and routine micro swabs as required.

Quality Control & Compliance

• Follow GMP, ISO, and FDA cosmetic manufacturing guidelines.
• Document all test results accurately in LIMS, batch records, and laboratory notebooks.
• Inspect and verify incoming raw materials for conformity to COA and internal standards.
• Support investigations for non‑conforming materials, out‑of‑spec results, and customer complaints.
• Participate in internal audits, line checks, and quality walk‑throughs.

Production Support

• Partner with production teams to ensure batches meet CTQs such as viscosity, color, fill weight, and texture.
• Perform line clearance checks, label verification, and packaging integrity inspections.
• Assist with scale‑up testing, pilot batches, and new product introductions.
• Communicate quality issues promptly to supervisors and recommend corrective actions.

Laboratory Operations

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot lab equipment such as viscometers, balances, mixers, pH meters, and microscopes.
• Manage sample retention, labeling, and storage according to SOPs.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance testing efficiency and accuracy.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma required; Associate degree or coursework in Chemistry, Biology, or related field preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in a laboratory, cosmetics, food, chemical, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with GMP, GLP, and cosmetic quality standards.
• Ability to work independently on 2nd or 3rd shift with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail, documentation accuracy, and problem‑solving skills.
• Comfortable working around fragrances, powders, pigments, and cosmetic raw materials.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for extended periods.

Working Conditions

• Fast‑paced manufacturing and laboratory environment.
• Exposure to fragrances, oils, powders, and cosmetic ingredients.
• PPE required (lab coat, gloves, goggles).
• Rotating weekends or overtime may be required based on production needs.