QA Lab Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: QA Lab Technician
Job Description

This role supports a juice production facility by performing quality assurance testing and inspections to ensure that all raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods meet established specifications and regulatory requirements. The QA Lab Technician works in both laboratory and manufacturing environments, conducting analytical, microbiological, and environmental tests while maintaining accurate records and calibration programs to support safe, consistent, and high-quality products.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate incoming ingredients to verify conformance with established product specifications.
• Perform inspection and testing activities throughout the production cycle to ensure continuous control over production specifications.
• Inspect blending and bottling operations to confirm adherence to defined processes and packaging requirements.
• Determine Brix-Acid Ratio (BAR) and oil levels in product blends using appropriate analytical methods.
• Maintain and verify calibration activities for laboratory and operational equipment to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.
• Perform microbiological plating functions to monitor product and environmental microbiological quality.
• Maintain quality assurance records, including filing, verification, and review of documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Conduct water testing activities in accordance with established standards and procedures.
• Perform environmental testing, including surface swabs and air sampling, to monitor sanitation and facility hygiene.
• Hold or release product and processes in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality criteria.
• Monitor compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), SOPs, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
• Maintain the raw material sampling program for the quality lab, including testing associated materials and maintaining the related database.
• Maintain the microbiological corrective action log and ensure appropriate documentation of findings and follow-up actions.
• Maintain the calibration program for all microbiology-related laboratory equipment.
• Collaborate with production and quality teams to support corrective and preventive actions when nonconformances are identified.
• Perform wet chemistry, titration, and other analytical chemistry tests as required to support product quality.
• Support batch record review to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with internal and regulatory standards.
• Carry out other quality-related duties as assigned to support overall food safety and product quality objectives.

• Experience performing laboratory testing for quality assurance in a food, beverage, or related manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in evaluating incoming ingredients against defined product specifications.
• Ability to conduct inspection and testing activities throughout the production cycle to maintain continuous control over product specifications.
• Skill in inspecting blending and bottling operations for conformance to process and packaging requirements.
• Experience determining Brix-Acid Ratio (BAR) and oil levels in product blends using appropriate analytical techniques.
• Ability to maintain and verify calibration of laboratory and operational equipment.
• Hands-on experience with microbiological plating techniques and interpretation of results.
• Strong quality assurance record-keeping skills, including filing, verification, and review of documents for accuracy.
• Experience performing water testing in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to conduct environmental testing, including swabs and air sampling, in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles.
• Familiarity with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulatory compliance requirements related to food or beverage production.
• Foundational knowledge in chemistry, biology, or food science applied to quality assurance.
• Ability to support batch record review and ensure compliance with internal and regulatory standards.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in both laboratory work and documentation.
• Ability to follow written procedures and work independently while supporting a production team.

• Experience with wet chemistry techniques in a quality laboratory setting.
• Hands-on experience performing titration and other analytical chemistry methods.
• Background in analytical chemistry as applied to food or beverage products.
• Experience working within a quality assurance function in a regulated environment, including familiarity with FDA-related expectations.
• Education or coursework in chemistry, biology, food science, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience maintaining raw material sampling programs and associated databases.
• Experience maintaining microbiological corrective action logs and documenting follow-up activities.
• Experience maintaining calibration programs for laboratory and microbiology equipment.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple testing programs, logs, and records simultaneously.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with production, maintenance, and quality teams in a manufacturing setting.

This position operates in both laboratory and manufacturing environments within a juice production facility. The role involves working in a quality lab equipped for analytical chemistry, wet chemistry, titration, and microbiological plating, as well as spending time on the production floor around blending and bottling operations. The QA Lab Technician may work near processing equipment, tanks, and packaging lines and will handle food products, raw materials, and environmental samples. The environment requires adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP principles, and standard operating procedures, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and following facility hygiene and safety protocols.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lakeland, FL.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $19.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Lakeland,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 23, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 ziprecruiter.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.