Lab Technician

Quality Assurance Technician/Lab Technician - Great team culture and environment. Long-term opportunity to grow within the company!
Looking for someone who is a night owl and likes to work graveyard shift, 8 pm to 4:30 am M-F
Job Description
The Quality Assurance Technician plays a key role in ensuring that all products meet strict quality and safety standards within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. This position focuses on microbiological, chemical, and physical testing of raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods, while supporting continuous improvement, food safety programs, and regulatory compliance. The role requires strong technical laboratory skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently on an overnight shift.
Responsibilities

• Work an overnight schedule from Monday through Friday, 8:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., with occasional weekend work and overtime as needed
• Approach all tasks with a Continuous Improvement mindset, identifying, valuing, prioritizing, resourcing, and sustaining opportunities to improve laboratory and production processes.
• Own and promote a strong safety culture by ensuring a safe work environment and consistently following proper safety practices.
• Perform sensory evaluation of product samples, both fresh and at shelf life, to ensure quality and consistency.
• Prepare samples, media, and solutions for chemical, physical, and microbiological analysis in accordance with established procedures.
• Conduct accurate microbiological analysis of raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods, including testing for coliforms, standard plate count, yeast, and mold.
• Perform precise chemical and physical analyses such as antibiotics testing, freeze point analysis, phosphatase, butterfat and total solids determination, Brix measurement, titratable acidity, and vitamin analysis.
• Safely operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment including Foss FT120, cryoscope, Horiba instruments, Brix devices, pH meters, CEM equipment, scales, pipettes, and thermometers.
• Perform quality checks against defined specifications and promptly escalate any deficiencies or non-compliance findings to the quality leadership team, following the Hold and Release Program.
• Conduct pre-operational and sanitation checks of the facility and equipment, including visual inspections and ATP swabbing to verify cleanliness and hygiene.
• Perform finished product checks on labels, coding, and packaging to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Apply proper procedures for sample collection, transport, storage, testing, and disposal to maintain sample integrity and safety.
• Conduct and maintain Environmental Monitoring and Allergen Programs, including air quality and water quality testing, pathogen swabbing, and allergen swabbing.
• Perform routine laboratory and administrative duties, including coordinating sampling and sample shipments with third-party laboratories and fulfilling customer testing requests as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate inventory of laboratory items and supplies, ensuring timely identification, restocking, and rotation of lab materials.
• Maintain organized production, raw material analysis, and quality control records that comply with local, state, and federal regulations as well as SQF code requirements.
• Enter data promptly and accurately, create Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and other reports, and provide summary reports of testing and monitoring activities to management and leadership teams.
• Keep accurate and legible records following Good Documentation Practices, effectively prioritize work assignments, and review work for quality and completeness.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and adhere to Good Laboratory Practices at all times.
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices, established quality policies, safety policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in laboratory proficiency programs and follow, maintain, and continuously improve laboratory procedures.
• Identify and implement process improvements and efficiencies in laboratory functions to support operational excellence.
• Orient and instruct others in job duties when requested, supporting training and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Assist the Quality Assurance leadership team with special projects and perform other duties as assigned..

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and stay organized in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Self-starter who can effectively and efficiently complete tasks without close supervision.
• Solid understanding of quality assurance systems and processes within a food manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with standard computer software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a professional, courteous, friendly, and empathetic approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear documentation and effective collaboration.
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) and the ability to apply them consistently.
• Knowledge of Good Documentation Practices (GDPs) and experience maintaining accurate, legible records.
• Ability to safely operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments such as Foss FT120, cryoscope, Horiba equipment, Brix instruments, pH meters, CEM equipment, scales, pipettes, and thermometers.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience working in a food laboratory environment.
• High school diploma or GED.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience specifically in dairy or similar food manufacturing environments is beneficial.
• Strong understanding of food safety programs and HACCP principles is desirable.
• Prior experience with environmental monitoring and allergen control programs is an advantage.
• Familiarity with SQF code requirements and regulatory standards for food production is beneficial.
• quality control or quality assurance within food or dairy operations is advantageous.

Work Environment
This role is based in a team-oriented food manufacturing and laboratory environment that emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement. The position requires working an overnight shift from Monday through Friday, 8:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., with occasional weekend work and overtime to support production needs. The work involves regular use of laboratory instruments such as Foss FT120, cryoscope, Horiba devices, Brix meters, pH meters, CEM equipment, scales, pipettes, and thermometers, as well as routine handling of product samples and chemicals. Employees follow Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Laboratory Practices, and Good Documentation Practices, and operate within established food safety and quality systems. The facility promotes a collaborative culture with a competitive total rewards package that includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, a 401(k) retirement plan, and opportunities to contribute to process improvements and cross-functional initiatives. Appropriate laboratory and production attire is required to meet safety, sanitation, and quality standards.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Reno, NV.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $25.00/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 Reno,NV.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 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.


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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.



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