About Ostara
Ostara is passionate about changing the way the Ag and T&O industry thinks about phosphate management. Our continuing mission is, and will remain, “Feeding the World While Protecting It.”
We believe that passionate people can make a real difference and we are building a culture around innovation, sustainability, efficiency, nimbleness, honesty, compliance, and a sense of urgency to make a positive difference and create real value. Ostara’s Crystal Green® fertilizers are the first granular phosphate fertilizers to release nutrients in response to plant demand. Using Crop Driven Release™, Crystal Green is proven to increase yields, enhance soil health and significantly reduce phosphate tie-up and runoff, thereby improving food security while protecting local waterways from nutrient pollution.
Position summary
The Sr. Laboratory Technician, R&D will lead R& D and Quality Assurance efforts in our St. Louis, MO production plant laboratory and organize focus on the R&D and commercial aspects of formulation development and improvement. Our formulations are a critical component to the value proposition Ostara presents to its customers. The Sr. Laboratory Technician, R&D plans, oversees, manages, and conducts daily evaluations of our formulation production to ensure quality control metrics are consistently hit.
Essential functions
- Conducts (daily) the primary R&D quality control measures of nutrient analysis for formulations.
- This includes but is not limited to, Uv-VIS and ICP-OES analysis of periodic production samples.
- Enters data into current LIMs database system.
- Communicates effectively and works cooperatively with production lab manager and operating staff to ensure timely, accurate results of production sample analyses.
- Analyzes finished good loadout samples for all quality control specifications, effectively documenting and communicating results.
- Reviews and makes suggestions for quality assurance and quality control programs, objectives, and progress.
- Develop new protocols and standard operating procedures for additional laboratory evaluation of formulations (including new equipment evaluation and validation of results with 3rd party labs.)
- Being in the start-up environment, tasks and responsibilities will be revised and change as the demands for the facility and products change.
Oversight functions
- Manage all assets of the R&D lab, including equipment, supplies, safety materials, and consumables.
- Maintain consistent workflow materials within budget for necessary product sample evaluations.
- Lead hands-on R&D lab-level quality assurance development and quality control improvements.
- Learn historical physical, chemical, and product formulation/manufacturing knowledge from Research Fellow and R&D personnel as well.
- Oversees St. Louis facility lab R&D functions.
- Assists in the review and recommends changes to the organization’s quality control and quality assurance programs.
- Keep up to date on industry trends, research, and advancements.
Required skills/abilities
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Able to apply knowledge and experience to provide robust R&D and commercial solutions.
- Self-confident and self-motivated person able to prioritize and focus on the completion of key targets, and comfortable in a fast-paced, growth-oriented, results-driven organization.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
- Ability to travel to US and Canadian offices, and manufacturing sites.
Education/experience
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical/physical science or related field (chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, etc.)
- 2-3 years’ experience with hands-on laboratory equipment required (Uv-Vis, ICP-OES especially)
Physical requirements and work environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk on the phone, speak with the public, hear on the phone, hear in person, and use hands and fingers. This job requires the employee to sit for prolonged periods with minimal exposure to hot and cold temperature extremes that could be encountered at Ostara’s job sites. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This job requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This role occasionally experiences high noise and dust levels, commensurate with manufacturing facilities and developing granular formulations.
Location and travel
This position is located in St. Louis area, initially based at the company’s manufacturing facility. Role could be relocated to a nearby external lab in the area if/when business conditions warrant this change. The role will be in lab the majority of the time and will require travel of up to 10%.
EEO statement
Ostara is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, parental status, gender identity or national origin.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Ostara reserves the right to change duties, responsibilities, and activities at any time with or without notice.