Lab Technician

Job Title: Lab TechnicianJob Description

The Laboratory Technician plays a crucial role in ensuring customer, team member, and vendor satisfaction by performing tests on production and finished product samples. This role is vital in maintaining compliance with FDA, NYS regulations, and company standards, supporting the manufacture of dairy-related products.

Responsibilities

• Achieve goals in production, safety, quality, performance, and cost.

• Notify others of mechanical malfunctions to enhance productivity and equipment capabilities.

• Comply with GMPs, SOPs, and company policies and regulations.

• Assist and support all areas in the production facility and train on key production areas.

• Gain competence on line circuits and ensure proper hookups in the facility.

• Cover breaks, lunches, and other staffing needs as assigned.

• Comply with legal requirements concerning dairy processing and safety on assigned shift.

• Work safely and report safety concerns to supervisor promptly.

• Report food safety problems and support SQF by maintaining food safety and quality.

• Ensure work areas are sanitary and adhere to sanitation practices.

• Communicate effectively between shifts and departments.

• Conduct and evaluate product testing to determine compliance with standards.

• Release compliant product from hold on the computerized inventory management system.

• Inspect and verify sanitary condition of processing lines, fillers, and tanks.

• Validate vitamin additions and batching sheets for the processing departments.

• Maintain cleanliness of work areas and equipment.

• Conduct microbiological, chemical, and sensory testing as required.

• Conduct bacteria and shelf life testing of fresh and stressed samples.

• Maintain laboratory logbook and Hold/Disposition Log for shift worked.

• Log and send out COAs as testing completes.

• Complete Titratable Acidity (TA) tests using all methods.

• Conduct allergen testing as required.

• Perform sterile sampling of tanks and report results timely.

• Complete and report product testing using tally and Product Testing Record.

• Perform cryoscope testing on milk products.

• Verify product labeling accuracy.

• Conduct EQA testing.

• Complete shelf life sensory testing and attend annual training.

• Perform butterfat and solids testing using appropriate equipment.

• Conduct product sterility testing on lab samples.

• Update log and results for Product Hold and Disposition Log.

• Utilize LIMS system for testing verification.

Essential Skills

• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.

• Knowledge of weights and measures.

• Proficiency in English for communication and job functions.

• Understanding of company's mission, purpose, and goals.

• Ability to operate facility equipment as required.

• Completion of all company training requirements.

• Ability to interpret company documents and UPC/code information.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum of GED or High School Diploma required.

• Associates degree in dairy/food sciences or equivalent highly preferred.

• 1-2 years' experience in similar food industry lab setting highly preferred.

Work Environment

The lab technician role requires flexibility in work schedule, including morning, afternoon, and overnight availability any day of the week based on assigned shifts. Employees must comply with GMP dress code standards, maintain a safe work environment, and wear business-and position-appropriate attire at all times.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cortland, NY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.50 - $24.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Cortland,NY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 12, 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.