QA Technician (Food Industry, Day Shift)

QA Technician Food Science | Contract-to-Hire | Long-term Growth Job Description 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. Essential Skills Experience or education in quality assurance, quality control, or food science-related testing in a food or bakery environment.Will consider new Food Science/Biology/Chemistry/Biochemistry graduates without experience. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Paul, MN. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $23.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Saint Paul,MN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.