Food Science Technician

This is a Contract-to-Hire position based in Saint Paul, MN, offering long-term growth opportunities.

About the role

The QA Technician plays a key role in ensuring the quality and safety of baked goods by performing hands-on testing, documenting results, and supporting production, sales, and customer quality processes. This position focuses on testing frozen, dry mix, and wet mix products through baking and frying, conducting laboratory and sensory evaluations, and maintaining records for food safety audits.

Responsibilities

• Collect samples from frozen, dry mix, and wet mix products in accordance with production schedules and procedures.
• Verify that sample composition matches production records and retrieve any missing documentation to ensure complete traceability.
• Weigh, measure, thaw, proof, bake, and fry product samples following established protocols and document all test conditions and results.
• Conduct product testing including pH measurement, salt titrations, ATP testing, allergen swabbing, flow testing, water activity testing, visual inspection, and taste evaluation.
• Re-test products that fall out of specification, place them on hold when issues persist, and follow established quality disposition procedures.
• Re-test frozen samples after three months to validate ongoing product quality and shelf-life expectations.
• Accurately enter test data into the designated computer program and maintain legible, organized records.
• Ensure all documentation meets requirements for SQF and HACCP audits and supports food safety and quality compliance.
• Prepare sales samples for the retail-ready bakery department, including baking or frying products and assembling required documentation for presentations and customer evaluations.
• Support sales presentations by providing tested, retail-ready samples and clear quality information.
• Handle customer returns by placing returned products on hold until quality disposition is determined.
• Re-test returned products, document their condition, and communicate test results and quality decisions to appropriate stakeholders.
• Inspect production equipment and perform pre-run quality checks before daily production begins, based on the product schedule.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and sanitation procedures to maintain a clean and safe laboratory and production environment.
• Collaborate with production, sales, and quality assurance team members to address quality issues and support continuous improvement.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment, adapting to changing responsibilities and production demands.
• Lift and move product or equipment up to approximately 50 pounds as needed to support sampling and testing activities.

Requirements

• Experience or education in quality assurance, quality control, or food science-related testing in a food or bakery environment.
• New graduates with degrees in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry will be considered.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $23.00 per hour.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available)
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave)

Schedule

This is a fully onsite position in Saint Paul, MN.