Lab Technician (Night Shift) at Fitesa Simpsonville Inc – Simpsonville, South Carolina

Fitesa is a global leader in nonwoven fabric solutions, delivering innovative materials to the hygiene, medical, and industrial markets. We are seeking talented individuals to join our rapidly growing team. We are looking for team-oriented, motivated professionals who are committed to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Fitesa offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being and long-term success of our employees.

Fitesa Benefits Include:

• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) contribution (4% dollar-for-dollar match + additional 3% company discretionary contribution annually for those who qualify)
• Flexible insurance packages, including medical, vision, and dental, with no waiting period

Summary (What/Why/Coverage)-Main Activities:

The Lab Technician I supports product quality by performing routine laboratory testing, documentation, and reporting. This role requires full working knowledge of either Spunbond Lab Operations or Carded Lab Operations. The technician ensures accuracy, safety, and compliance with all operational checklists and testing protocols.

Educational/Work Requirements:

High School diploma required; additional training a plus

Three (3) years of manufacturing experience, including at least two (2) years in a laboratory environment - Preferred

Behavioral Competencies:

• Demonstrated familiarity with manufacturing processes or equipment preferably of polymer industry
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, coach and train others
• Effective Communication skills
• Problem solving/troubleshooting skills
• Statistical Analysis skills with the ability to establish and audit against goals
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimal amount of daily supervision
• Thorough knowledge of the occupation hazards and corresponding safety precautions necessary for the safe performance of assigned duties.
• Familiar with air and water pollution control technology and federal, state and community regulatory agency workings
• Willingness to work flexible hours or rotating shifts as needed

Technical Competencies:

• High School diploma required; additional training a plus
• Three (3) years of manufacturing experience, including at least two (2) years in a laboratory environment
• Ability to convert between metric and English units
• Ability to read and interpret operations documents, product and customer specifications
• Data analysis skills (average, range, standard deviation)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)
• Flexibility to occasionally work nights or weekends based on production needs

Key Responsibilities (What/How):

• Keep lab area neat and clean, maintaining OLA (5S) standards
• Test material coming out of the main extrusion lines and slitter machines. Follow sampling plan procedure, ensuring material is tested according to customer specification requirements.
• Enter lab results into ERP system for product traceability.
• Create substandard reports for non-conforming material. Ensure defective products are properly segregated.
• Follow process control strategy for lab properties.
• Communicate with the shop floor about testing results and out of spec material.
• Conduct physical inspections of floor and lab samples for defect detection.
• Perform extra testing as required.
• Communicate with off and on-coming lab technician to ensure proper handoff
• Manage retains and inventory of hand sheet samples when required.
• Assist operating teams as needed to improve quality.
• All other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

This position requires frequently lifting and/or moving up to 25 – 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The position requires frequent lifting, walks and stands for long periods of time, and performs strenuous physical labor under extreme temperatures. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Additional Information:

Eligibility to apply is in accordance with Fitesa hiring policies and practices. Please contact Fitesa HR with questions regarding eligibility.

Fitesa offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Fitesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Fitesa will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. This position is reserved for US candidates only and does not offer international transfer.