Intern - Quality Assurance

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Helena Agri-Enterprises is seeking a part-time, on-site Quality Assurance Intern in Des Moines to gain hands-on experience in an industrial production lab. You’ll learn process checks across production, packaging, and warehousing, calibrate HPLC/GC equipment, input batch results, and flag deviations while maintaining QA records and compliance in a safety-minded environment. The ideal candidate is pursuing a physical science degree, has Chem I/II exposure, basic lab procedures, and some HPLC/GC familiarity, with strong math and data skills, English fluency, and Spanish being helpful. Be prepared for rotating shifts, physical demands, and a drug test plus background check. Apply at helenacareers.com and highlight QA workflows, instrumentation experience, documentation, and teamwork, showing you fit Helena’s safety and benefits culture.

WHO WE ARE

This position is with Helena Industries (HI). HI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC and provides production and distribution solutions to customers across a wide variety of industries. HI is one of the largest chemical toll manufacturers in the U.S. and our clients include many household name brands and large retailers.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Quality Assurance (QA) Intern will learn aspects of an Industrial Production Laboratory, utilizing lab equipment to test finished products and product components to ensures all details are within specified parameters.

WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE

• Performs process checks throughout the production, packaging and warehousing functions of the company, including pre-operational checks, in-process checks and final product checks.
• Sets up and calibrates HPLC/GC testing equipment.
• Receives, documents and inputs batch testing results for all customer products into to all applicable systems.
• Identifies and reports quality results and trends to Lab Supervisor/Lab Manager/Quality Improvement Specialist.
• Performs physical property tests using instrumentation.
• Verifies compliance to company standards and policies and effectively communicates when there are deviations from standards or processes.
• Maintains accurate and organized records of QA activities and maintains organized inventory of retained products.
• Maintains ongoing company compliance with all applicable regulations and customer requirements.
• Maintains a clean work environment both inside and outside the facility by using good housekeeping habits.

• Participate in problem solving activities utilizing scientific thinking and other continuous improvement techniques.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Work towards or completion of a Bachelor's degree in a physical science.
• Chem I and II courses and understanding basic chemical dilutions and calculations is preferred.
• Experience utilizing HPLC/GC instruments is preferred.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Mathematical and basic analytical skills
• Ability to stand for long periods of time in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• Able to work rotating shifts as scheduled.
• Handles multiple priorities at the same time.
• Knowledge of basic lab procedures.

• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.

Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

At Helena, safety is our highest priority. We seek out extensive safety measures and put them in place to minimize exposure to anything that could be potentially harmful to our employees.

The work environment for this position is in a typical plant/warehouse/lab environment where the noise level is usually moderate to loud. In this position, you will regularly work near moving equipment/mechanical parts and could be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemical and biological hazards, vibrations and a risk of electrical shock.

This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, sit, stand, (8 hours a day or more), lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling (up to and including 50lbs or more), reaching overhead (up to and including 25lbs), climbing, gripping, grasping and twisting using hands and wrists, bending and stooping for long periods of time, working below knee levels for short periods of time and working above shoulder level for short periods.

BENEFITS AT HELENA

• Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
• Three-year vesting on company match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.

For more detailed information about our benefits, visit helenacareers.com/benefits.

STAY CONNECTED TO THE HELENA POWERHOUSE!

Follow us on social @HelenaCareers or visit us at helenacareers.com.

Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.