Quality Control Technician
About the role
The Quality Control Technician actively monitors the production process to ensure products consistently meet food safety, food quality, and food defense requirements during processing, packing, and packaging. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Supervisor, this role performs hands-on testing, inspection, and documentation to verify that all products and processes comply with established standards and regulatory expectations.
Responsibilities
- Perform regular checks throughout product processing to ensure all monitoring guidelines and procedures are followed.
- Inspect finished products against predetermined quality standards and determine acceptance or rejection based on results.
- Conduct biophysical testing on products, including viscosity, pH, water activity, moisture, and other quality measurements.
- Maintain organization, cleanliness, and orderliness of quality control work areas and equipment.
- Support the evaluation of raw materials and assist with sample preparation activities for testing and analysis.
- Provide backup support for the QA Analyst as needed, including data entry and reporting tasks.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the QA Supervisor to support the overall quality and food safety program.
Requirements
- Minimum 1 year of experience in food manufacturing; baking experience preferred.
- At least 6 months of quality assurance or quality control experience preferred.
- High school diploma required.
- Strong basic math skills for measurements, calculations, and data interpretation.
- Solid problem-solving abilities to identify, analyze, and resolve quality issues.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office applications for data entry, documentation, and reporting.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear documentation and collaboration.
- Experience or familiarity with food safety, quality control, and inspection practices.
- Experience with laboratory-style testing, including pH, water testing, and viscosity testing.
- Ability to stand for extended periods during shifts.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds safely and repeatedly as needed.
- Availability to work up to 7 days per week as business needs require.
- Flexibility to work various shifts, including different hours and schedules.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in inspection, testing, and documentation.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment with strict quality standards.
Qualifications
- Associate degree or higher in a related field preferred.
- ServSafe, HACCP, Baking Science, SQF, or similar food safety and quality certifications preferred.
- Experience with SQF or other recognized food safety and quality management systems.
- Previous experience in a bakery or baked goods production environment.
- Experience with data entry and documentation in a quality control or laboratory setting.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and pre-operational inspections.
- Ability to calibrate and troubleshoot measuring equipment such as thermometers, scales, and metal detectors.
- Strong organizational skills to manage samples, paperwork, and multiple tasks simultaneously.
Skills
- Strong basic math skills for measurements, calculations, and data interpretation.
- Solid problem-solving abilities to identify, analyze, and resolve quality issues.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office applications for data entry, documentation, and reporting.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear documentation and collaboration.
- Experience or familiarity with food safety, quality control, and inspection practices.
- Experience with laboratory-style testing, including pH, water testing, and viscosity testing.
- Ability to stand for extended periods during shifts.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds safely and repeatedly as needed.
- Availability to work up to 7 days per week as business needs require.
- Flexibility to work various shifts, including different hours and schedules.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in inspection, testing, and documentation.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment with strict quality standards.
Benefits
- 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)
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $20.00/hr.
Work Environment
This role is based in a food manufacturing plant that produces baked goods for nationwide distribution. The facility operates in a fast-paced production environment with frequent exposure to the aromas and smells of a bakery. Team members work around industrial baking and packaging equipment, refrigerated rooms, freezers, and temperature-sensitive ingredients. The position requires standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and working in varying temperatures. Shifts may vary, and availability up to 7 days per week may be required based on production demands. The environment emphasizes food safety, quality, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices, with regular use of laboratory testing equipment, measuring instruments, and computer systems for data entry and reporting.
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.