USA Chemist Food Manual Benchtop Wet Chemistry Reidsville, NC

Company Background: Farmina is nature and science in perfect harmony. Our mission is to develop the best all-natural, nutritious, and scientifically validated food that dogs and cats will love. Farmina is an innovative Pet Nutrition Company focusing on servicing dog and cat pet parents to make the best personalized nutritional decisions for their pet's well-being while providing life changing solutions along the way.

We at Farmina firmly believe in our company motto: Happy pet. Happy you.

Position Purpose

The Lead Chemist will oversee analytical testing and laboratory operations to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance in pet food manufacturing. This role requires strong expertise in classical wet chemistry, instrumental analysis, and regulatory compliance, with an emphasis on nutritional, contaminant, and safety testing. The Lead Chemist will serve as the technical expert, supporting method development, staff training, and implementation of advanced analytical instrumentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Food Science, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of laboratory experience in food, feed, or pet food testing with increasing responsibility.
• Proficiency in wet chemistry techniques and operation of analytical instruments (NIR, spectrophotometer, ICP, UPLC).
• Strong knowledge of nutritional, contaminant, and microbiological testing methods.
• Experience with method development, validation, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with ability to supervise and train laboratory staff.
• Strong analytical problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Preferred: HACCP certification and PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) certification.

Work Environment

• Laboratory and production plant environment.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.
• Exposure to laboratory chemicals, heat, and standard lab hazards.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and oversee routine testing for ash, protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and peroxide values using traditional AOAC methods.
• Conduct and validate testing using Soxhlet extraction, Kjeldahl analysis, fiber extraction, muffle furnace, titrations, and polarimetry.
• Apply aseptic sampling techniques, incubation, autoclaving, and microbiological assays (including mycotoxin analysis and VIDAS).
• Operate and maintain advanced laboratory equipment such as NIR spectrometer, ICP-AES, and UPLC systems.
• Lead implementation of ICP-AES for heavy metals and mineral analysis, and UPLC for vitamins and amino acid profiling.
• Ensure laboratory practices comply with GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), HACCP, and FSMA guidelines.
• Prepare, review, and approve test results, analytical reports, and Certificates of Analysis.
• Train and mentor laboratory staff on methods, equipment, and regulatory requirements.
• Investigate analytical deviations, identify root causes, and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Support R&D and Quality Assurance teams with method validation, product formulation testing, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain laboratory safety programs, calibration schedules, and inventory of reagents/standards.

Benefits:

• Empower 401k
• Hartford Company Paid AD&D
• Hartford Voluntary AD&D
• Hartford Voluntary Long-term Disability Insurance
• Harford Voluntary Child Life
• Hartford Short-term Disability Insurance
• Colonial Life Critical Illness
• Colonial Life Term Life
• Colonial Life Whole Life
• Health FSA
• Dependent Care FSA
• Colonial Medical Bridge
• Colonial Accident
• Harford Voluntary Life Dependents
• Hartford Voluntary AD&D Dependents
• Hospital Indemnity
• NYC Commuter Benefits
• Employee Pet Food Discounts
• Paid Maternity Time Off
• Paid Paternity Time Off
• Paid Adoption Time Off
• Pet Wellness Insurance
• Pet Accident and Illness Insurance

This may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.

Farmina is An Equal Opportunity Employer