Nicholas Bragg
Pensacola,FL
Summary
Seasoned Lab Technician with a robust background in R&D and QA, notably at Arete Technologies. Excelled in experimental design and laboratory safety, enhancing efficiency by 30%. Skilled in mentoring teams and streamlining processes, demonstrating exceptional time management and chemical handling expertise. Hardworking and competent professional with extensive knowledge in Environmental and Manufacturing laboratory operations. Punctual and professional, willing to work various shifts and driven to perform successfully in solitary role or as part of team. Talented Shift Manager driven to keep costs under control, employees working hard and customers satisfied. Highly professional and results-focused professional with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
R&D Lab Tech
Arete Technologies
Pensacola, FL
07.2024 - 11.2024
- The R&D Temporary Scientist is responsible for performing laboratory experiments; pilot scale experiments; collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and compiling data and results under the supervision of the R&D group leader and scientists
- The R&D Temporary Scientist may be required to assist the fabrication, modification, and maintenance of experimental apparatus
- The R&D Temporary Scientist is expected to assist in the preparation, set-up, and execution of production scale membrane casting runs and characterization
- Calculate and prepare laboratory formulations and chemical solutions
- Perform laboratory screening of new membrane formulations
- Perform screening of new membrane formulations working with manufacturing equipment and personnel during R&D pilot runs
- Collect, analyze, interpret, and report data and experimental findings
- Fabricate and/or modify experimental apparatus or manufacturing equipment
- Assist in the development of new testing methods or procedures
- Provide general laboratory and administrative support including, but not limited to, inventory maintenance, safety audits, and maintenance and upkeep of the laboratory and warehouse
- Perform other general support duties as required
QA Lab Tech
Spherion
Cantonment, FL
11.2022 - 07.2024
- Company Overview: Spherion provides staffing and workforce solutions
- Hands-On completion of analysis of in-process and final process test results in support of manufacturing
- Tests for Hardness, Tensile, Specific Gravity, Oxidation Index, Velocity and others
- Capture and report data into LIMS, SAP
- Excel, PowerPoint and on paper logs
- Spherion provides staffing and workforce solutions
- Reports To: Celanese Lab Supervisor and Spherion On-Site Supervisor
Hospital Service Associate
Stericycle
Pensacola
08.2021 - 10.2022
- Properly and effectively manage medical hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal
- Including: Sharps: needles/syringes, capillary tubes, blood vials, etc
- Regulated Medical Waste: Bandages, dressings, swabs, gloves, etc
- Pharmaceutical Waste: including hazardous, non-hazardous and controlled
Technical Service Rep
Plasmine Technologies
Pensacola, FL
04.2019 - 07.2021
- The role of Technical Service Representative was a role of many functions including: Lab set up and take down
- Flowing all test methods on an R&D level, shipping & receiving, tracking shipping and receiving from cradle to grave, calibration and maintenance organizing and decluttering lab, creating inventories and monitoring inventories
QA Lab Tech
Landrum Staffing
Cantonment, FL
04.2019 - 07.2021
- Company Overview: Landrum Staffing provides staffing solutions
- Grade H4 Chemical Lab Shift Technician in the Laboratories team at the Ascend Performance Materials Pensacola manufacturing facility
- Normally scheduled hours are on rotating 12-hour shifts covering days, nights, weekends, and holidays with some overtime required
- The ability to accurately conduct many diverse instrumental and wet chemical analyses (often simultaneously that include titrations, chromatography, XRF, viscosity, Ash, pH, ICP, atomic absorption, etc), the operation of computer-controlled lab instruments and computer data entry
- Landrum Staffing provides staffing solutions
- Reports To: Chemical Lab Shift Leader
- Team: One shift leader and three shift technicians as part of the overall Chemical Lab organization
Supervisor of Extractions
Eurofins
Pensacola, FL
04.2014 - 08.2017
- Provides technical and operational support to a specific laboratory area while participating in daily sample production
- Responsibilities include but are not limited to scheduling and prioritizing work tasks, training, problem-solving, implementing new procedures and methods, analyzing samples, reviewing and validating data, and completing reports
- Coordinates work projects with project managers to appropriately prioritize laboratory workload to meet client requirements
- Manages all in-house projects for an assigned department to ensure OTD and TAT requirements are met
- Release samples to laboratory personnel and communicate due dates and TAT
- Responsible for quality of samples to be analyzed
- Supervises Analysts to maximize productivity and ensure appropriate testing procedures in compliance with QA and SOP requirements
- Prepares and analyzes samples for analysis based on method requirements
- Uploads data files to LIMS SAP EXCEL
- Reviews data produced in the assigned department and authorized its release
- Operates and maintains sophisticated analysis instrumentation requiring advanced and specialized knowledge
- Communicates department issues and provides status reports to Operations Manager and/or lab Director and Project Managers
- Assist Department Manager to evaluate individual performance in a yearly performance review as well as providing feedback on an ongoing basis to lab personnel
- Trains all new analysts and upgrades staff on skills, equipment, and procedures
- Provides ongoing performance feedback
Lab Tech
Gallagher Coal and Research
Crab Orchard, WV
09.2013 - 01.2014
- Prepare and split the submitted samples according to established procedures
- Maintain cleanliness of preparation equipment and sample preparation area
- Dispose of retained samples
- Calibrate, operate and maintain analytical instruments including, ISE, AA and others
- Able to perform classical analytical methods as required and verify results, such as titration, gravimetric method and make basic and complex reagents as necessary
- Provides feedback to the crew leader, supervisor or lab manager regarding any issues encountered during procedures
- E.g
- Unanticipated reactions, loss of samples etc
- Assist with method development and validations
- Verify and adjust calibrations on a variety of lab equipment including dispensers, pipettes, balances oven and other
- Ensure the equipment is maintained in good order
- Ensure that work order documentation is complete in every respect and QC results are entered into SLIMS as necessary
- Maintain clean and organized workbench area ensuring spills are immediately cleaned; disposal of sample is handled according to laboratory procedures
- Keep all records and notebooks in good order including work order and equipment maintenance logs
- Provide accurate and timely results
- Participate in proficiency testing programs and support quality by investigating questionable and unsatisfactory results
- Support Internal and External Audits
Laboratory Technician
SGS Mineral Services North America
10.2009 - 09.2013
- Perform physical and chemical tests on minerals and fertilizer samples as per SGS’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) or any recognized standard methods, such as SPPA, AFPC, AOAC and ISO
- Prepare and split the submitted samples according to established procedures
- Maintain cleanliness of preparation equipment and sample preparation area
- Dispose of retained samples
- Calibrate, operate and maintain analytical instruments including, ISE, AA and others
- Able to perform classical analytical methods as required and verify results, such as titration, gravimetric method and make basic and complex reagents as necessary
- Provides feedback to the crew leader, supervisor or lab manager regarding any issues encountered during procedures
- E.g
- Unanticipated reactions, loss of samples etc
- Assist with method development and validations
- Verify and adjust calibrations on a variety of lab equipment including dispensers, pipettes, balances oven and other
- Ensure the equipment is maintained in good order
- Ensure that work order documentation is complete in every respect and QC results are entered into SLIMS as necessary
- Maintain clean and organized workbench area ensuring spills are immediately cleaned; disposal of sample is handled according to laboratory procedures
- Keep all records and notebooks in good order including work order and equipment maintenance logs
- Provide accurate and timely results
- Participate in proficiency testing programs and support quality by investigating questionable and unsatisfactory results
- Support Internal and External Audits
Shift Manager
Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers
Beckley, WV
03.2004 - 09.2007
- Managing crew members: Training, mentoring, and developing crew members and team trainers
- Ensuring compliance: Ensuring the restaurant complies with company policies and procedures, including food safety, cleanliness, and timely opening and closing
- Providing customer service: Interacting with customers in a professional manner and providing friendly service
- Executing cost control systems: Implementing cost control systems and executing company programs
- Assisting management: Working with the restaurant management team to identify opportunities for improvement and maximizing profitability
- Performing walk-throughs: Ensuring the restaurant is ready to open, close, or rush-ready
- Acting as cash manager: Setting up cash registers at open and verifying cash at close
- Shift managers may also be required to work a 40–50 hour week, including opening and closing shifts
- They may also be exposed to high heat from grill and fryer equipment, cooking oils, and other materials used in preparing fast food products
- Some say that shift managers should have experience in restaurant management, people motivation, and be excellent communicators
Education
Certificate of Completion - Information and Technology, Bits and Bytes of computer networking
Coursera
04.2022
Certificate of Completion - Support Technical Support Fundamentals
Coursera
03.2022
Certificate of Completion - Computer Science and Information for Supportive Services
Academy of Careers and Technologies
05.2005
Skills
- Experimental design
- Research methodologies
- Chemical handling
- Sample preparation
- Laboratory safety
- Precision measurement
- Materials testing
- Lab equipment maintenance
- Chemical inventory management
- Glassware cleaning
- Instrument Calibration
- Customer service
- Time management
- Database management
- Safety awareness
- Schedule oversight
- Supply ordering
- Tech-Savvy
- Shift leadership
- Inventory control
- Decision-making
- Performance reviewing
- Schedule management
- Verbal and written communication
- Quality assurance
- Training and mentoring
- Equipment troubleshooting
- Shift checklists
Awards
- MSHA Surface Mining Certification, Tincher Safety Inc., Cabin Creek, WV, 01/01/08, 05/31/11, Expired
- Food Handler Safety Card, Beckley WV Health Department, 01/01/02, 12/31/10, Expired
- Wendy’s Certification Test, Beckley, WV, 02/01/05
- Wendy’s Managing Food Safety (FPEx), Beckley, WV, 03/01/05
Teams
- Safety Team SGS 2010-2013
- Safety Team Eurofins 2015-2016
- LEAN/5S/Kaizen Team-SGS 2012-2013
- 5S/Kaizen Team-Plasmine Technologies 2019-2021
Timeline
R&D Lab Tech
Arete Technologies
07.2024 - 11.2024
QA Lab Tech
Spherion
11.2022 - 07.2024
Hospital Service Associate
Stericycle
08.2021 - 10.2022
Technical Service Rep
Plasmine Technologies
04.2019 - 07.2021
QA Lab Tech
Landrum Staffing
04.2019 - 07.2021
Supervisor of Extractions
Eurofins
04.2014 - 08.2017
Lab Tech
Gallagher Coal and Research
09.2013 - 01.2014
Laboratory Technician
SGS Mineral Services North America
10.2009 - 09.2013
Shift Manager
Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers
03.2004 - 09.2007
Certificate of Completion - Information and Technology, Bits and Bytes of computer networking
Coursera
Certificate of Completion - Support Technical Support Fundamentals
Coursera
Certificate of Completion - Computer Science and Information for Supportive Services
Academy of Careers and Technologies
Similar Profiles
Thelma MolinaThelma Molina
Electrical Wiring at Arete TechnologiesElectrical Wiring at Arete Technologies
MONIKA MALIKMONIKA MALIK
TEAM LEAD-RECRUITMENT at ARETE TECHNOLOGIES / ARINDAM SOFTWARE SOLUTIONSTEAM LEAD-RECRUITMENT at ARETE TECHNOLOGIES / ARINDAM SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
Alexandra HilellyAlexandra Hilelly
Fundraising and PR Director at Arete Summer WorkshopFundraising and PR Director at Arete Summer Workshop