Lab Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Lab Technician

Job Description

This Lab Technician role supports a growing manufacturing facility by performing quality assurance and quality control testing on liquid products in a plant and laboratory environment. You will collect samples from production silos, perform analytical tests using laboratory instruments, and ensure all products meet strict FDA, plant, and quality specifications. This position offers the opportunity to develop technical skills in chemistry, microbiology, and analytical testing while contributing directly to safe and consistent product quality.

Responsibilities

• Navigate the plant environment safely to obtain liquid samples from silos in accordance with FDA and plant standards, maintaining awareness of machinery and forklifts at all times.
• Collect and handle samples carefully to prevent contamination and ensure they accurately represent production batches.
• Perform laboratory tests on samples, including pH, acidity, freezing point or related critical control points, viscosity, and solid/fat percentage measurements, ensuring results remain within specified ranges.
• Operate, monitor, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment used for analytical chemistry, titration, and other quality control tests.
• Document all test results accurately with dates, signatures, and relevant details, ensuring complete and traceable quality records.
• Review and verify quality standards and specifications, escalating any out-of-specification results or trends to appropriate personnel.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment daily and perform routine checks to ensure instruments remain accurate and reliable.
• Follow FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and internal plant standards consistently in both the lab and production areas.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary laboratory environment to prevent contamination and ensure safe operations.
• Monitor and replenish laboratory supplies such as chemicals, pipettes, and other consumables to support continuous testing.
• Handle incoming phone calls from the dairy and various parts of the plant, coordinating sample testing and communicating results as needed.
• Multitask throughout the shift to manage multiple samples, tests, and requests while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
• Support quality assurance and quality control programs by performing inspections, documenting findings, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts.
• Enter data accurately into laboratory or quality systems, ensuring timely and complete reporting of all test results.
• Collaborate with production and quality teams to ensure products and samples move forward in the process only when they meet specification.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical science discipline such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, or a related field.
• At least 1 year of experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to document and review quality standards and specifications accurately.
• Experience with quality assurance and quality control practices in a manufacturing or laboratory setting.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and analytical testing.
• Knowledge of chemistry, analytical chemistry, and related laboratory techniques.
• Familiarity with microbiology or biology concepts relevant to product quality and safety.
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their application in a plant or lab environment.
• Ability to perform titration and other quantitative analytical methods.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in testing, documentation, and data entry.
• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing plant environment, including awareness around machinery and forklifts.
• Capability to multitask and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a quality assurance or quality control role within a manufacturing facility.
• Background in inspection and analytical chemistry within a production or food-related environment.
• Comfort using laboratory information systems or digital tools for data entry and recordkeeping.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with dairy operations, production staff, and other plant departments.
• Interest in long-term growth within a manufacturing and laboratory setting, including potential internal movement after successful performance.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite at a manufacturing facility and involves working in both plant and laboratory settings. You will work primarily on 3rd shift, typically from 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., and you must remain flexible based on production and staffing needs. The schedule may include 6-day work weeks and occasional 12-hour shifts, such as 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., depending on operational requirements. The environment includes active production areas with machines and forklifts, requiring consistent attention to safety and adherence to plant and FDA standards. You will work with laboratory instruments, chemicals, and standard lab equipment while maintaining a clean, organized, and contamination-free workspace. The culture emphasizes growth and long-term opportunities, with the potential for internal movement after a period of successful performance.

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

The pay range for this position is $23.25 - $23.25/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 Elma,NY.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 9, 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.