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Quality Chemist (Cordova, IL)*

3M · Cordova, IL · $98,964–$120,957 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a customer complaint investigation you worked on. How did you get to the corrective action?

What they are checking: Whether they handle complaints with structured analysis and clear communication back to the customer.

Tell me about an analytical method you improved. What was wrong with the old one?

What they are checking: Whether they improve methods based on evidence and can explain the gain in practical terms.

Tell me about a time you found a mistake in your own lab work after reporting a result.

What they are checking: Whether they correct the record openly, which is essential to data integrity in a regulated lab.

What would you do

A customer says your product failed in their process, but your retained sample tests in spec. How do you proceed?

What they are checking: Whether they keep investigating with the customer rather than closing the complaint on one passing test.

Production asks you to release a lot while one test is still running because a truck is waiting. What do you say?

What they are checking: Whether they protect release integrity under shipping pressure and escalate properly.

How do you support a plant investigation when operations wants a fast answer?

What they are checking: Whether they can give useful early data while staying honest about what is not yet known.

About the work

You'll support ISO 9001 and GMP work at the Global Chemical Operations plant. How do those two frameworks change what you document day to day?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that both demand traceable records, and GMP raises the bar on data integrity.

Walk me through how you would design a method validation for a new analytical test.

What they are checking: Whether they know specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, range and robustness and when each applies.

What is a measurement system analysis, and what would you do if a gauge R and R came back poor?

What they are checking: Whether they can separate measurement variation from process variation before trusting data.

How do you write a protocol or summary report that holds up in an audit?

What they are checking: Whether their writing is precise, complete and traceable enough for regulators and customers.

What instruments have you used most, and how do you know when one is giving you bad data?

What they are checking: Whether they check system suitability and controls rather than trusting instrument output blindly.

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The full job description

As published by 3M.

Job Description: Job Title Quality Control Chemist Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers. This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career. The Impact You’ll Make in this Role As a Quality Control Chemist in our Global Chemical Operations (GCO) plant , you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by: • Perform quality assurance and quality control activities related to regulatory certifications, such as ISO 9001 and GMP. • Facilitate customer interactions involving complaint investigations, analysis, and corrective actions. • Develop new and refine existing analytical test methods. • Generate protocols, summary reports, and other laboratory-related documents. • Design and execute method validations and measurement system analyses. • Support plant operations by providing investigative analytical chemistry solutions. • Manage quality-impacted material inventory for assigned product portfolio. • Identify opportunities to reduce the cost of poor quality throughout the site and support improvement activities. • Lead teams through continuous improvement kaizens and projects to drive process efficiency, quality improvements, and operational excellence. To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications: • Bachelor's degree or higher in a science or engineering discipline (completed and verified prior to start) Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include: • Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from an accredited institution • Basic lab procedures (wet chemistry, pH, dilutions, etc.) • Working knowledge of HPLC, IC, GC, UV-Vis, Karl Fischer, ICP, NIR, LCMS • Analytical method development and validation • Basic understanding of statistical techniques, data analysis, and variability. • Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Minitab) • Familiar with working in a regulated environment such as GMP, ISO9001, IATF16949, and/or AS9100. • Industry laboratory experience (including internships) • Ability to work effectively individually or on cross-functional team Location : Cordova, IL Travel: May include up to 5% domestic Relocation: Is not authorized Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status). Responsibilities of this position may include direct and/or indirect physical or logical access to information, systems, technologies subjected to the regulations/compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws. U.S. Export Control laws and U.S. Government Department of Defense contracts and sub-contracts impose certain restrictions on companies and their ability to share export-controlled and other technology and services with certain "non-U.S. persons" (persons who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., refugees, "Temporary Residents" (granted Amnesty or Special Agricultural Worker provisions), or persons granted asylum. To comply with these laws, 3M must help assess candidates' U.S. person status. The questions asked in this application are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this particular position. Supporting Your Well-being 3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope. Chat with Max For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers. Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $98,964 - $120,957, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/. Good Faith Posting Date Range 08/27/2026 To 09/26/2026 Or until filled All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M. Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties. Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement. Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/ 3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly. 3M Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at 3M are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms. Please click on the following links and select the country where you are applying for employment to review the applicable Terms of Use (link here) and Privacy Policy (link here) . Before submitting your application, you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.

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