Job Description

Do you want to be part of a team that aspires to improve the quality of life for others? Are you interested in efficient manufacturing processes that promote sustainability? Do you feel a sense of accomplishment in a job well done? At Carpenter Co., we challenge our employees to learn from and inspire one another – all levels of the company collaborate, communicate and constantly improve to achieve shared success. If that sounds like an environment in which you will thrive, Carpenter Co. could be a great fit for you!

Carpenter Co. has an immediate opening for a Lab Technician on 1st shift [5:00am - 1:00pm] at our Elkhart, IN manufacturing plant. This position is responsible for performing various physical properties testing as specified by a set of quality standards and company/customer requirements. This position will be responsible to cut test samples, accurately record the data and completes reports as specified by a set of quality standards. The work is performed in a production and laboratory environment. The hourly pay rate for this position is $22.79 to $23.76. After cross-trained with the Auditor position, the pay range will move to $24.85 per hour.

Carpenter Co. employees are committed to working hard to ensure production goals are met while maintaining operations excellence. The successful candidate will be expected to use lab equipment, saws and tape measures to perform testing to exact procedures, inspect finished products and be able to follow the procedures exactly as written.

Additional responsibilities of the Lab Technician will include:

• Accurately measure test blocks of prime foam and carpet cushion for height, width and length
• Operate Computerized saws and band saws for sample preparation
• Accurately weight top skin, side skin, bottom skin and trim weight
• Test form for Density, Indentation Force Deflection, Air Permeability, Resiliency, Compression Sets, Tear, Tensile, and Elongation as per Company and Customer Specifications
• Record any visual defects such as splits, buck shot, veins, etc.
• Coordinate odor panel tests as required
• Operate precision lab testing equipment such as various scales, United Testing machines, high pressure auto clave, various flammability chambers, ovens, static meter, micrometers, rulers, porosity machine, die cutting machine and titrator, as required
• Perform Flammability testing on foam and/or fiber
• Accurately enter all test data into the computer system
• Maintain quality records
• Read and interpret a tape measure
• May be required to perform monthly department safety inspections

Skills/ Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED[General Education Degree] required.
• 1+ year(s) of manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret a tape measure.
• Ability to read a thickness gauge.
• Basic math skills: Addition, subtraction, multiplication & division.
• Some basic computer experience required with MS Work and MS Excel preferred.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, once fully trained.
• Well organized and able to balance competing deadlines and overlapping projects with shifting priorities.
• Must be able to lift and maneuver foam weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to read and understand test specifications and follow them
• SAP or similar ERP system experience preferred.
• Ability to work overtime, as production schedule demands

Carpenter Co. conducts pre-employment drug testing on all applicants that receive and accept a conditional offer of employment.

Important Notes

Carpenter Co. offers a comprehensive benefits package including excellent health insurance, generous profit sharing plan, and much more. We offer long-term career opportunities for our employees in a stable industry and clean working environment. We also offer tuition reimbursement to our employees after 1 year of service. Our Elkhart Branch employees average over 10 years of service with the company, and we'd like for you to join us! To learn more, check us out at www.carpenter.com.