Quality Assurance Lab Technician

Actalent is seeking a Lab Technician for a second-shift contract role in West Caldwell, NJ, supporting product safety, quality, and compliance in a food manufacturing environment.

About the role

This position performs routine and non-routine analytical testing, including microbiological and chemical analyses, to ensure product safety and compliance with GMP, SOPs, and HACCP requirements. The Lab Technician maintains accurate documentation, supports cross-functional teams with analytical data, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives within a food manufacturing laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non-routine analytical tests using standard laboratory equipment to measure pH, moisture, temperature, weight, and microbiological safety of samples.
• Carry out microbiological analyses to ensure product safety and compliance with established quality and food safety standards.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely records of all test results and laboratory activities in accordance with GMP, SOPs, and HACCP requirements.
• Follow established laboratory procedures and quality assurance protocols to ensure reliable, reproducible, and compliant test results.
• Support cross-functional investigations by providing analytical data, documentation, and technical insight as needed.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance testing methods, documentation practices, and laboratory workflows.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is used correctly, handled safely, calibrated as needed, and maintained in good working condition.
• Adhere to all safety, quality, and regulatory guidelines while working in the laboratory and production support areas.
• Conduct QA and QC testing on food ingredients and products, including microbiological, chemical, and quality inspection activities.
• Collaborate with quality assurance and quality control teams to support compliance with internal and external standards, including HACCP and related programs.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to conduct routine and non-routine analyses using standard laboratory equipment to measure pH, moisture, temperature, weight, and microbiological safety.
• Experience with analytical testing, documentation, quality assurance, and quality control in a laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of chemistry and laboratory practices relevant to food manufacturing and ingredient testing.
• Understanding and practical experience with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
• HACCP experience and the ability to apply HACCP principles in daily testing and documentation activities.
• Skills in testing food ingredients and products for QA, including microbiological and chemical analyses, QA/QC, and QA inspection.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in recording and maintaining test results and laboratory records.
• Ability to follow SOPs, laboratory procedures, and quality assurance protocols consistently.
• Effective communication skills to provide clear analytical data and technical insight to cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work on a fixed second-shift schedule (Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.).

Qualifications

• Experience in a food manufacturing environment or a science degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field; open to recent graduates.
• SQF experience preferred, including familiarity with SQF requirements and documentation.
• Bilingual skills are an asset but not required.
• Interest in working within the frozen food, plant-based, and health-conscious product categories.
• Willingness to participate in continuous improvement initiatives and adapt to evolving laboratory methods and quality programs.

Work Environment

This fully onsite position is based in a laboratory within a food manufacturing facility specializing in frozen and plant-based, health-conscious products. The role operates on a second-shift schedule (Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) and involves working with standard laboratory equipment for chemical and microbiological testing while following GMP, HACCP, and quality assurance protocols. The Lab Technician collaborates closely with quality and production teams to support manufacturing operations and product testing.

Pay

The pay range for this contract position is $17.00 - $20.00 per hour.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. If eligible, benefits for this temporary role may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
• 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)