Lab Technician

Quality Control Laboratory Technician

We are seeking a detail-oriented Quality Control Laboratory Technician to support quality and food safety programs in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. This role combines hands-on laboratory testing with production floor quality inspections to ensure products meet established specifications, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

The position is split approximately 70% laboratory testing and 30% manufacturing floor inspections and audits, with weekly station rotations between lab and production quality responsibilities.

• Perform sensory, physical, and chemical testing on finished products to verify compliance with specifications.
• Conduct wet chemistry and analytical testing including: pH, viscosity, salt analysis, moisture testing, surface color evaluation, bicarbonate testing, displacement testing, UV-Vis analysis, HPLC testing, antioxidant testing, fat analysis utilizing CEM Rapid Analyzer, protein analysis (Kjeldahl), microbiological testing.
• Record and maintain test results within the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Review and evaluate Bills of Material (BOMs) for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with raw material testing, Certificate of Analysis (COA) review, and document management.
• Participate in internal proficiency testing and external check-sample programs to verify laboratory accuracy and consistency.
• Investigate and document product non-conformances and initiate corrective actions as required.

• Perform routine inspections of manufacturing, storage, and sanitation equipment.
• Conduct GMP, food safety, and procedural compliance audits throughout the facility.
• Verify product labels, packaging configurations, and finished product specifications prior to release.
• Inspect finished product packaging to ensure accuracy and compliance with customer requirements.
• Approve and apply final product wrapping using automated packaging equipment.
• Partner with production teams to ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements.

• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and company food safety programs.
• Use required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and maintain a safe work environment.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, food safety, and operational excellence.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline OR
• Bachelor's degree with at least 6 months of laboratory or food industry experience OR
• Associate degree with 2+ years of quality, laboratory, or food manufacturing experience.

• Experience performing laboratory testing in a food, beverage, ingredient, chemical, or manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to wet chemistry techniques and analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with LIMS, GMPs, GLPs, HACCP, or food safety systems.

• Strong laboratory and analytical testing skills
• Knowledge of chemistry, food science, or biological sciences
• Attention to detail and accurate documentation practices
• Ability to identify quality issues and implement corrective actions
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English

Job Type &

Location:

This is a Contract position based out of Oak Lawn, IL.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $21.00/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)…