Associate Chemist

Foster Farms has been serving families since 1939. Since the founding days, Foster Farms has always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. Our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our valued Team Members will shine through in everything we do.

Foster Farms is always looking for talented individuals to join the Foster Farms team. We offer the experience of a large organization, however operate like a family business. More than half of our job openings are filled by internal promotion, and we encourage Team Members to gain a variety of experiences across different functional groups.

Pay Range: $26.60 to $33.25 per hour

Purpose of Position:

The Associate Chemist is responsible for performing complex chemical analyses in support of poultry production, food safety, and regulatory compliance. This role ensures high-quality, timely, and accurate analytical testing of poultry products, raw materials, water, feed, and sanitation chemicals. The Associate Chemist helps in maintaining USDA & ELAP accreditations, also supports management, method development, staff training, and other quality system compliances as required.

Essential Job Functions:

Key Responsibilities:

• Chemical Analysis: Perform routine and non-routine testing of poultry-related matrices, including, Proximate analysis, Minerals & Metals, Waste & Ranch Waters, and Pesticide analysis, etc. Operate and maintain related equipment used in the analysis.
• Method Development: Assist in developing, validating, and optimizing new chemical testing methods in accordance with regulatory standards and internal procedures.
• Compliance & Accreditation:  Follow internal SOPs to maintain USDA & ELAP accreditation. Maintain proper documentation and traceability.
• Technical Leadership:  Assist in cross training technicians on new methods as advised by management and ensure best practices are followed.
• Data Management: Review, interpret, and report analytical results with precision and data integrity.
• Safety & Waste Management: Adhere to chemical hygiene and hazardous waste handling protocols. Promote a safe lab environment. Assist in storage and disposal of hazardous waste.
• Quality Control: Implement and monitor internal quality control procedures, including the review of QC charts, duplicate testing, reference standards, and corrective actions for out-of-spec results.
• Workflow Prioritization: Assist management and lab team members to prioritize testing to ensure high-throughput and time-sensitive samples are handled efficiently.
• Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the management.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in analytical chemistry, preferably in a food or poultry testing laboratory
• Strong knowledge of wet chemistry techniques and experience with QC practices
• Familiarity with ELAP, and USDA regulatory standards
• Experience with SAP, COA generation, and data integrity best practices
• Proven ability to prioritize work, lead small teams, and communicate effectively

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience leading workflow scheduling or sample triage in a high-throughput lab
• Familiarity with test cost analysis and efficiency metrics
• Experience coordinating or participating in proficiency testing programs
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and organizational abilities

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Foster Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Females, Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Foster Farms participates in E-Verify during the hire process at all locations for all new Team Members.