Watch here to see what it's like to work at Red Wing Shoe Company.

Red Wing Shoe Company/S.B. Foot Tanning is based in Red Wing, Minnesota, just 40 minutes from St. Paul, where our corporate office sits along the Mississippi River in downtown Red Wing.  We are a global company with 2300 employees around the world, but we maintain a close-knit family atmosphere that comes with being a privately-held company. We’re rich in history and tradition, but innovation drives us to deliver best-in-class product solutions and highly rated customer experiences.  Focus on our employees and company culture results in meaningful employee engagement across the organization. Our Guiding Behaviors of Living our Values, Honoring our Brands, Inspiring our People, Centering on our Customers, and Preserving the long term success and legacy of our Company are the foundation on which we build our future.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB:

Red Wing Shoe Company/S.B. Foot Tanning is seeking a qualified Lab Technician to perform chemical and physical testing of footwear, leather and raw materials used in the manufacture of leather and footwear. Although the responsibilities of each Lab Technician may vary, all technicians should have a general knowledge of the majority of functions performed in the laboratory. All technicians are trained in laboratory safety procedures and must follow these at all times.  All technicians are also responsible for properly maintaining their work area and equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct physical testing of leather and footwear using various equipment to evaluate performance of waterproof, strength, finish, breathability, regulatory requirements etc.
• Conduct chemical testing of leather, bluestock, collagen and raw materials to evaluate for performance, regulatory requirements, etc. 
• Analyze results based on a set of standards to determine pass/fail and monitor trends in data using spreadsheets and graphing programs.
• Provide reports of testing results for further analysis or follow-up.  Ensure proper filing of documents.
• Miscellaneous duties including housekeeping, collection of samples and information, equipment calibration, etc. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safeguard those assets of the Company under knowledge and control of this position and treat all technical developments, data on Company operations, information on salaries and wages, customer lists, and similar data as Company assets.
• Comply with all government laws and regulations that pertain to the responsibility of the position.
• Ensure that the physical operations in the assigned area of responsibility are conducted in a safe and efficient manner.
• Attend and participate in management, work, and project team meetings.
• Participate in Lean initiatives and implement Lean techniques.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Minimum of an AA degree with a focus in chemistry and math with 1-3 years of experience in a laboratory testing environment.  Position requires training in laboratory safety procedures.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent Organizational Capabilities with the ability to prioritize and accurately carry out several functions at one time.
• Superior communication and teamwork skills are needed to promote efficiency in the lab.
• Standard practices are clearly prescribed but several procedures are used.
• Must analyze facts, determine action, and make decisions frequently.
• Accuracy is extremely important. A serious mistake or an error in performing the required duties of this job could result in financial loss, dissatisfied customers, and possible injury to job holder and others.
• Experience with using instruments such as HPLC, AA, GC.
• Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Infrequent lifting up to 50 pounds – at least 4 hours of standing or walking – some repetitive hand or arm motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Controlled climate and low noise level.

Red Wing Shoes is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in completing an application may contact [email protected] or call 651-388-8211.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP at https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm

All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory results of a background check and drug screen.

Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.

Red Wing Shoe Company will not be using recruitment agencies or firms to fill this position and we will not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate information. No agency calls please.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)