Production Chemist

Here’s a Job Description (JD) for Quality Control and Lab Incharge – Plywood Adhesives tailored to your plywood manufacturing context:

Job Description: Quality Control & Lab Incharge – Plywood Adhesives

Position Overview

The Quality Control & Lab Incharge will oversee all quality testing, formulation checks, and laboratory operations related to plywood adhesives. This role ensures that all adhesives (Phenol Formaldehyde, Urea Formaldehyde, Melamine, etc.) used in production comply with BIS/ISI standards, customer requirements, and internal quality benchmarks. The person will also maintain testing equipment, and work closely with production team.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Control & Testing

Conduct routine testing of plywood adhesives (solid content, viscosity, gel time, bonding strength, pH, etc.) as per IS:848 and other relevant BIS standards.

Ensure all raw materials (resins, chemicals, hardeners, fillers) meet incoming quality inspection parameters.

Maintain records of daily QC checks on adhesives used in production batches.

Perform bond strength, water resistance, boiling water test (BWR/MR/Marine grade), and shear strength tests on finished plywood samples.

Approve/reject adhesive lots before issue to production.

Laboratory Management

Supervise day-to-day functioning of the adhesive laboratory.

Ensure calibration and upkeep of all testing equipment (viscometer, universal testing machine, oven, weighing balances, etc.).

Maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all tests and ensure compliance.

Train lab assistants and QC staff on accurate testing practices.

Process & Compliance

Monitor production processes to ensure proper adhesive mixing ratios and application.

Liaise with production supervisors to troubleshoot bonding/quality issues.

Ensure compliance with ISI/BIS certification audits, quality manuals, and documentation.

Develop new testing protocols for innovative or improved adhesive formulations.

Reporting & Documentation

Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly adhesive quality reports.

Document all test results systematically for audit and traceability purposes.

Highlight deviations and recommend corrective actions to management.

Report major adhesive quality failures and work on root cause analysis.

Qualifications & Skills

B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Chemistry / Polymer Science / Industrial Chemistry OR Diploma/Degree in Chemical Engineering.

5–10 years of experience in plywood/adhesives/wood panel industry (preferred).

Strong knowledge of adhesive chemistry (Phenolic, Urea, Melamine formaldehyde resins).

Familiarity with IS:848 standards for synthetic resins used in plywood.

Hands-on experience in laboratory testing procedures and equipment.

Good documentation, reporting, and audit handling skills.