QC Tech

Job Title: Quality Control Technician (Food Laboratory)Job Description

The Quality Control Technician ensures that all food safety and quality parameters are consistently met by performing laboratory testing, line monitoring, and product evaluations in a food manufacturing environment. This role focuses on maintaining accurate testing procedures, calibrating equipment, and documenting results in accordance with established food safety programs, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Standard Operating Procedures.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all parameters of food safety and quality are adhered to and maintained in the laboratory and designated production areas.

• Calibrate laboratory and production line equipment to ensure accurate and reliable test results.

• Collect in-process and finished product samples and perform standardized qualitative and quantitative testing to verify they meet specifications.

• Perform and record product evaluation tests in accordance with HACCP plans, Standard Operating Procedures, and other food safety and quality programs.

• Accurately document and record all required information in the computer system in accordance with established procedures.

• Conduct ATP testing as part of the allergen control program to support sanitation and allergen management.

• Perform microbiological testing on products and samples as required.

• Maintain and organize a retain sample library to support traceability and quality investigations.

• Recognize quality deficiencies and initiate appropriate follow-up actions, including communication and documentation.

• Identify and isolate product that does not meet established standards and ensure proper hold procedures are followed.

• Perform quality control tasks including product sampling, line monitoring, auditing, laboratory testing, and equipment calibration to ensure compliance with specifications.

• Hold products that do not meet company quality standards and provide appropriate dispositions in line with company procedures.

• Understand and interpret all information contained within product specification sheets.

• Maintain thorough knowledge of the quality characteristics and requirements for the products being packaged.

• Conduct laboratory testing procedures such as brix, refractive index, pH, density, sensory evaluations, weights, and moisture testing.

• Operate and maintain laboratory instruments including pH meters, viscosity meters, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), and UV/visual measurement equipment.

• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety regulations, and all Standard Operating Procedures at all times.

• Wear required personal protective equipment, including a half-face respirator when working with specific chemicals in production.

• Collaborate with production and quality teams to support continuous operations across multiple shifts and days of the week.

• Support weekend production needs by working scheduled weekend shifts as part of a rotating schedule.

Essential Skills

• Experience in quality control or laboratory work within a food manufacturing or related environment.

• Proficiency in conducting laboratory tests such as brix, refractive index, pH, density, sensory evaluations, weights, and moisture testing.

• Ability to operate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment including pH meters, viscosity meters, gas chromatography systems, and UV/visual measurement instruments.

• Strong understanding of food safety principles, HACCP plans, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Standard Operating Procedures.

• Ability to accurately document test results and maintain records in both written and computerized systems.

• Attention to detail and ability to recognize and respond to quality deficiencies in products and processes.

• Capability to interpret and apply information from product specification sheets.

• Ability to wear a half-face respirator when working with specific chemicals, in accordance with safety requirements.

• Willingness and ability to work evenings, some weekends, and a 6-day workweek as needed to support production demands.

• Strong commitment to working in and remaining within the food industry.

• Effective communication skills to collaborate with production, quality, and laboratory personnel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• AA, BA, or BS degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.

• OR at least 1 year of food quality control experience with specific laboratory testing responsibilities (brix, refractive index, pH, density, sensory, weights, moisture, and related tests).

• Background in food science, chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.

• Experience working with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) and other advanced analytical instruments.

• Familiarity with allergen control programs and ATP testing.

• Strong organizational skills for maintaining retain sample libraries and quality records.

• Motivation to grow and build a long-term career in the food manufacturing and quality field.

Work Environment

This role operates primarily in a food laboratory setting within a busy production facility that manufactures flavors and colors. You will work with food products and ingredients while performing tests for pH, viscosity, moisture, density, and other quality attributes using instruments such as pH meters, viscosity meters, gas chromatography systems, and UV/visual measurement equipment. The position is on the second shift, typically from 4:00 PM to 1:30 AM, Monday through Friday, with an expectation to work a 6-day week that includes one weekend day on a rotating basis. Weekend shifts on Saturday or Sunday may have different hours than weekday shifts, and schedules may occasionally require back-to-back weekends to cover vacations or absences. Production operates seven days a week with multiple shifts, and the laboratory must be staffed accordingly to support production needs. The environment follows strict Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety regulations, and safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment. A half-face respirator is required when working with specific chemicals in production. The company offers a contract-to-hire opportunity with paid sick time during the contract period and fully paid benefits upon conversion to permanent employment, providing a stable and supportive environment for those who want to build a career in the food industry.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Commerce, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/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 Commerce,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 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 [email protected] 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.