Analytical Chemist

Food Analytical Chemist

We're seeking a hands-on Food Analytical Chemist who is passionate about analytical chemistry, problem-solving, and delivering high-quality data that supports food safety, quality, and innovation. In this role, you'll work with advanced instrumentation, complex food matrices, and cross-functional teams to generate meaningful scientific insights for clients and internal stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity for an analytical chemist who thrives in a laboratory environment, enjoys troubleshooting sophisticated instruments, and wants to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in a collaborative, quality-driven setting.

What You'll Do:

• Perform sample preparation, extraction, digestion, and analytical testing on a wide variety of routine and complex food matrices.
• Utilize advanced analytical instrumentation including HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS, and other mass spectrometry platforms.
• Apply and execute validated analytical methods based on industry standards, including AOAC, USP, and AACC methodologies.
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate data to ensure accurate and defensible results.
• Use LabSolutions and other laboratory data systems for data acquisition, processing, reporting, and record management.
• Troubleshoot analytical methods, instrumentation, and sample preparation processes to resolve technical challenges and improve performance.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and preventative maintenance on laboratory instrumentation.
• Support laboratory operations across multiple testing areas and provide coverage during team absences.
• Partner with Quality, IT, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service teams to support client needs and laboratory objectives.
• Maintain organized laboratory documentation and ensure compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, data quality, customer satisfaction, and cost reduction.
• Follow all laboratory safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized, and compliant work environment.

Quality & Compliance Responsibilities:

• Ensure all testing activities comply with ISO 17025 quality standards and laboratory procedures.
• Review laboratory documentation, equipment logs, bench sheets, and quality records for accuracy and completeness.
• Participate in investigations involving out-of-specification (OOS) results, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and other quality-related initiatives.
• Support ongoing efforts to enhance laboratory quality systems, compliance, and operational excellence.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

Food or pharma industry experience is a plus but open to any background. Mass Spectrometry, HPLC, & GC are most necessary.

Experience Level:

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kansas City, MO.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $42.00/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 Kansas City, MO.

Application Deadline:

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.