Quality Control Laboratory Technician

Job Title: Quality Control Laboratory Technician

Job Description

The Quality Control Laboratory Technician supports quality and food safety initiatives within a food manufacturing environment while ensuring compliance with SQF, GMP, Kosher, and FDA standards. This role involves collecting, testing, and evaluating product samples, approving blends for production and packaging, and performing laboratory quality control activities. The technician maintains accurate testing documentation, coordinates samples sent to third-party laboratories, and serves as a key quality presence during second shift operations. This newly created position offers the opportunity to work closely with leadership, gain hands-on experience in both production and laboratory settings, and play a central role in maintaining high food safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Support quality and food safety initiatives within a food manufacturing environment while ensuring compliance with SQF, GMP, Kosher, and FDA standards.

• Collect, test, and evaluate product samples and retains to verify conformance to specifications.

• Approve blends for production and packaging based on established quality and safety criteria.

• Perform laboratory quality control activities, including routine and specialized QC testing.

• Maintain accurate and organized testing documentation and quality records.

• Coordinate product and ingredient samples sent to third-party laboratories for additional testing and verification.

• Investigate quality concerns and nonconformances, assisting with root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Assist with product holds and retesting efforts to ensure only compliant products are released.

• Communicate quality deviations and test results clearly and promptly to production and management teams.

• Support employee training programs related to SQF, food safety, GMPs, and quality procedures.

• Provide independent quality oversight during second shift operations after day shift quality staff leave.

• Collaborate with production and leadership teams to reinforce a strong food safety and quality culture across the facility.

Essential Skills

• 1–3 years of experience in food manufacturing, specifically in quality control or quality assurance functions.

• Hands-on experience with SQF programs and requirements; SQF experience is required.

• HACCP experience and familiarity with hazard analysis and critical control point principles.

• Practical experience in quality control testing within a laboratory or food production environment.

• Working knowledge of food safety principles and regulatory expectations for food manufacturing.

• Understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) in a food manufacturing setting.

• Basic chemistry knowledge as applied to food quality testing and analysis.

• Background or coursework in food science or a related technical discipline.

• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions during second shift operations.

• Strong communication skills to effectively relay test results, deviations, and quality concerns to production and leadership teams.

• Comfort with maintaining detailed documentation and following established procedures and protocols.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision during assigned shift.

• Great, outgoing personality with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Interest in supporting and delivering training on SQF, food safety, GMPs, and quality procedures.

• Motivation to work in a newly created role and help shape quality processes in a growing operation.

• Desire to gain hands-on experience across both production and laboratory environments.

Work Environment

This role is based in a food manufacturing facility with responsibilities split between laboratory and production floor environments. The position follows a Monday through Friday schedule, working from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., providing quality oversight during second shift operations. The technician works closely with production teams and leadership while also performing independent tasks after day shift quality staff have left. The environment emphasizes adherence to SQF, GMP, Kosher, and FDA standards, with a strong focus on food safety, quality, and documentation. Laboratory work involves handling product samples, performing QC tests, and using standard lab equipment and procedures appropriate for food quality testing.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Oakland, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $26.00/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 Oakland,NJ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 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.