Quality Lab Technician

About the role

This full-time Quality Technician role supports a fast-paced food manufacturing operation by conducting standardized tests on intermediate and finished food products to ensure they meet established quality standards and regulatory requirements. The position focuses on evaluating product attributes such as size, color, and flavor, performing flavor analysis that involves tasting products containing common food allergens, and monitoring processes to maintain consistent quality.

Responsibilities

• Conduct standardized tests on intermediate and finished food products to verify compliance with quality standards and regulations for attributes such as size, color, and flavor.
• Perform flavor analysis by tasting products that may contain allergens including wheat, milk, soy, egg, peanut, tree nut, and sesame, ensuring products meet flavor and quality expectations.
• Check the metal detector regularly to confirm proper operation and promptly report any malfunctions to the appropriate personnel.
• Gather retention samples, microbiological samples, and control samples from raw materials and finished products in accordance with established procedures.
• Prepare microbiological sample composites and complete associated paperwork for pickup and analysis by the laboratory.
• Examine product labels for accuracy and compliance and approve labels prior to completing printing.
• Place product on hold when quality or safety concerns arise and assist with investigations to determine root causes and corrective actions.
• Complete all required daily paperwork accurately and on time, maintaining thorough and organized records of quality activities.
• Comply with all safety and sanitation regulations, including SQF code, plant programs, HACCP, GMPs, and company policies, and enforce these requirements by reporting deficiencies when appropriate.
• Analyze quality data to identify trends and problem areas, and assist in resolving manufacturing processes or methods that negatively affect quality.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to address and resolve quality issues and to support continuous improvement of processes and methods.
• Obtain environmental samples as required for monitoring plant conditions and verifying compliance with environmental and sanitation standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support overall quality assurance and quality control objectives.

Requirements

• Education of either 2 years of college and 1–2 years of experience, OR a 4-year high school diploma and 3–5 years of progressively responsible related experience.
• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment, particularly in quality-focused roles.
• Comfort working with and enforcing food safety and quality systems such as SQF, HACCP, GMPs, and plant-specific programs.
• Demonstrated experience in quality control, quality assurance, or quality inspection within the food industry.
• Working knowledge of standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to food manufacturing and quality testing.
• Understanding of HACCP principles and their application in a food production environment.
• Ability to conduct standardized tests on food products, including visual, physical, and sensory evaluations.

Work Environment

The role is based in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment that focuses on producing solid products such as cakes. The facility operates on a 1st shift schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, providing a consistent work routine. The plant environment can be on the colder side due to the nature of the products and processes, so team members should be comfortable working in lower temperatures and dressing appropriately for a cooler production setting.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $25.00/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:

• 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)

Schedule

This is a 1st shift position, operating from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.