Quality Assurance Specialist

Laboratory Assistant / Quality Assurance (QA) Assistant

Industry: Food & Beverage Manufacturing | Agricultural Processing | Industrial Manufacturing

Location: Boardman, OR

We're seeking dependable, detail-oriented Laboratory Assistants, Quality Assurance (QA) Assistants, Quality Control (QC) Assistants, and Entry-Level Lab Technicians to support laboratory operations, product quality, and manufacturing processes.

This is a great opportunity for individuals who enjoy hands-on work, science, problem-solving, and ensuring products meet established quality and safety standards.

Whether your background is in food processing, agriculture, beverage production, chemistry, laboratory testing, quality inspection, or general manufacturing, we'd love to connect!

We're especially interested in candidates who bring experience with sample collection, quality inspections, basic laboratory testing, documentation, food safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), or production support.

Previous laboratory experience is valuable but not always required. Candidates with strong attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and experience in manufacturing or quality-focused environments are encouraged to apply.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Laboratory Support: Assist with routine laboratory activities, sample preparation, testing, and general lab operations.
• Quality Assurance & Control: Support product inspections, quality checks, and testing to ensure materials and finished products meet established specifications.
• Sample Collection: Collect, label, prepare, and organize raw material, in-process, and finished-product samples.
• Basic Testing: Assist with routine physical, chemical, or microbiological testing, depending on the manufacturing environment.
• Quality Inspections: Monitor production processes, identify potential quality concerns, and communicate unusual findings to supervisors.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate testing records, inspection reports, sample logs, and quality documentation.
• Laboratory Equipment: Assist with operating, cleaning, calibrating, and maintaining laboratory instruments and testing equipment.
• Production Support: Work closely with Production, Quality, Sanitation, and Maintenance teams to support daily manufacturing operations.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Follow established standard operating procedures (SOPs), GMP requirements, sanitation protocols, and safety standards.
• Inventory & Organization: Maintain laboratory supplies, organize samples, and ensure work areas remain clean and orderly.
• Continuous Improvement: Support initiatives to improve product quality, testing accuracy, documentation, and overall operational efficiency.

We're interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Laboratory assistance and sample preparation
• Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC)
• Food safety and quality inspections
• Manufacturing and production environments
• Sample collection and basic analytical testing
• pH, moisture, density, and solids testing
• Basic chemistry or microbiology
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Laboratory equipment operation and calibration
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Data entry and quality documentation
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Product inspection and quality verification
• Sanitation and contamination prevention
• Manufacturing process monitoring
• Inventory management and laboratory supplies
• Basic computer and Microsoft Office skills

Candidates with experience in the following industries may be a strong fit:

• Food and beverage manufacturing
• Agricultural and vegetable processing
• Potato, onion, and produce processing
• Food ingredient manufacturing
• Dairy and frozen food production
• Grain processing and milling
• Ethanol, fermentation, and biofuel production
• Brewing and distilling
• Chemical and industrial manufacturing
• Environmental and water testing
• Wastewater treatment
• Packaging and general manufacturing
• Academic, research, or industrial laboratories

Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience in laboratory operations, quality assurance, quality control, food processing, manufacturing, or a related environment preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written procedures.
• Ability to accurately document information, record test results, and maintain organized records.
• Basic understanding of quality standards, workplace safety, and cleanliness.
• Willingness to learn laboratory procedures, testing methods, and equipment operation.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with production and quality teams.
• Basic computer skills and comfort entering information into electronic systems.
• Flexibility to work varying shifts, weekends, holidays, or overtime based on operational needs.

Education

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Coursework, certifications, or an associate's or bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Food Science, Biotechnology, or a related field is beneficial but not required.
• Equivalent hands-on experience in manufacturing, quality inspection, or laboratory support will be considered.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, dependable, safety-conscious, and eager to learn.

They enjoy hands-on work, following procedures, maintaining accurate records, and supporting teams responsible for product quality and manufacturing operations.

Whether you're an experienced Lab Assistant, QA/QC professional, recent science graduate, or manufacturing employee interested in transitioning into a quality-focused career, we'd love to learn more about your background.

Interested in exploring your next opportunity? We'd love to connect!

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Employment may be subject to applicable background screening and drug-testing requirements.