1st Shift- Quality Technician

About the role

The Quality Technician works in a dairy manufacturing facility and supports the quality team by performing routine testing on in-process and finished products to ensure they meet strict food safety and quality standards. This first-shift role requires flexibility with hours and occasional weekend work, and is well suited for a quality-minded individual who enjoys hands-on laboratory work in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Collect in-process and finished product samples to verify that quality and safety standards are consistently met.
• Perform basic analytical testing, including pH testing, wet chemistry techniques, and basic microbiological testing on dairy products.
• Use laboratory equipment and pipetting techniques accurately to conduct analyses and generate reliable test results.
• Document and record test results in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Support other technicians by assisting with day-to-day laboratory activities and contributing to efficient lab operations and workflow.
• Participate in organoleptic (taste) testing of dairy products as part of overall quality evaluation and product assessment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant laboratory environment in line with quality and safety standards.
• Follow standard operating procedures and quality protocols to ensure consistent testing and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with other technicians and plant personnel to address quality-related issues and support continuous improvement.
• Assist with taking air samples in the plant as needed to support environmental and quality monitoring.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science-related field such as Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, or a similar discipline is preferred.
• Quality-minded approach with a strong commitment to food safety and product consistency.
• Basic understanding of laboratory practices or a demonstrated willingness to learn laboratory techniques.
• Ability to perform basic analytical testing, including pH testing, wet chemistry methods, and basic microbiological testing.
• Proficiency in using laboratory equipment and pipetting techniques with attention to accuracy and precision.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and maintain detailed, accurate documentation.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while managing multiple tasks.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to recognize and escalate quality issues appropriately.
• Comfort with consuming dairy products as part of product evaluation and taste testing.
• Flexibility to work first shift with variable hours and occasional weekend coverage as needed.
• Prior laboratory or quality experience in a manufacturing or food production environment is a plus but not required, making this role open to entry-level candidates.
• Experience in quality control or quality assurance functions is beneficial.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with a small, cohesive group of technicians.
• Good communication skills for clearly reporting test results and quality concerns.
• Comfort with learning and using company-specific quality systems and documentation tools.

Work environment

Spend time working alongside four other technicians in a collaborative and supportive team environment. The group is described as cohesive and easygoing, with colleagues who are willing to help and share knowledge. The facility operates as a dairy manufacturing plant, producing milk, flavored milks, and cultured products.

Job Type & Location: This is a Contract position based out of O Fallon, IL. This is a fully onsite position.

Pay: $24.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment.