Engineering Technician

Actalent; Merrill (WI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short/long-term disability

Health Spending Account

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is hiring a Lead Blending Technician in Merrill, WI to supervise a team of eight, plan daily runs, and ensure accurate batching and sanitation between cycles.

The role requires setting up and programming blending machines, weighing ingredients, and maintaining strict food safety standards. Work hours are 2:30–12:30, Monday through Thursday, with a contract arrangement in a fully onsite facility.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in food manufacturing or food production environments.
• Practical experience with blending operations and blender equipment in a production setting.
• Ability to program and operate blending machines, including entering and adjusting calculations and settings.
• Strong understanding of sanitation procedures for food production equipment and facilities.
• Experience cleaning and sanitizing machines and production areas to meet food safety standards.
• Knowledge of quality control practices in food production, including attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to lead, delegate, and coordinate daily tasks for a small production team.
• Capability to disassemble and reassemble machinery safely and efficiently.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple runs and ensure timely completion of projects.
• Ability to work consistently within scheduled hours of 2:30 to 12:30, Monday through Thursday.

Responsibilities

• Plan and delegate daily tasks to each team member based on the scheduled production runs.
• Lead and direct a team of approximately eight technicians in completing all blending runs each day.
• Oversee weighing of each product and ingredient required for every batch according to specifications.
• Supervise batching and blending operations to ensure accurate formulations and consistent product quality.
• Set up, program, and adjust blending machines for each run, including entering correct calculations and parameters.
• Monitor food production processes to ensure adherence to quality control and food safety standards.
• Guide the team in disassembling blending machines after each batch for cleaning and maintenance.
• Lead thorough cleaning and sanitizing of machines, equipment, and the blending room between runs.
• Verify that all sanitation procedures are completed correctly before starting the next batch.
• Coordinate and track progress of multiple projects to ensure all runs are completed on time.
• Identify and resolve basic technical issues related to machine setup, programming, and operation.
• Support team members during each run by providing direction, troubleshooting, and hands‑on assistance as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to production runs, machine settings, and sanitation activities.
• Promote a safe, organized, and efficient work environment within the blending area.

Skills

Hands-on production experience

Blending operations

Programming blending machines

Sanitation procedures

Cleanliness and safety

Quality control attention

Team leadership

Disassemble/assemble machinery

Multi-run planning

Shift availability 2:30–12:30

Job description

Job Title: Lead Blending Technician

Job Description

The Lead Blending Technician oversees daily operations in the technical blending room, coordinating a team to complete scheduled production runs safely, accurately, and on time. This role plans and delegates tasks, ensures proper machine setup and programming, and leads thorough sanitation between batches to maintain high standards of food quality and safety.

Responsibilities

• Plan and delegate daily tasks to each team member based on the scheduled production runs.
• Lead and direct a team of approximately eight technicians in completing all blending runs each day.
• Oversee weighing of each product and ingredient required for every batch according to specifications.
• Supervise batching and blending operations to ensure accurate formulations and consistent product quality.
• Set up, program, and adjust blending machines for each run, including entering correct calculations and parameters.
• Monitor food production processes to ensure adherence to quality control and food safety standards.
• Guide the team in disassembling blending machines after each batch for cleaning and maintenance.
• Lead thorough cleaning and sanitizing of machines, equipment, and the blending room between runs.
• Verify that all sanitation procedures are completed correctly before starting the next batch.
• Coordinate and track progress of multiple projects to ensure all runs are completed on time.
• Identify and resolve basic technical issues related to machine setup, programming, and operation.
• Support team members during each run by providing direction, troubleshooting, and hands‑on assistance as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to production runs, machine settings, and sanitation activities.
• Promote a safe, organized, and efficient work environment within the blending area.

Essential Skills

• Hands‑on experience in food manufacturing or food production environments.
• Practical experience with blending operations and blender equipment in a production setting.
• Ability to program and operate blending machines, including entering and adjusting calculations and settings.
• Strong understanding of sanitation procedures for food production equipment and facilities.
• Experience cleaning and sanitizing machines and production areas to meet food safety standards.
• Knowledge of quality control practices in food production, including attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to lead, delegate, and coordinate daily tasks for a small production team.
• Capability to disassemble and reassemble machinery safely and efficiently.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple runs and ensure timely completion of projects.
• Ability to work consistently within scheduled hours of 2:30 to 12:30, Monday through Thursday.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in a technical blending room or similar production environment.
• Comfort working with calculations and basic programming related to machine operation.
• Ability to follow detailed production instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Strong communication skills to provide clear direction and feedback to team members.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety, and product quality.

Work Environment

The role is based in a technical blending room where a team of eight collaborates to complete multiple production runs each day. The Lead Blending Technician works a schedule of four 10‑hour shifts, from 2:30 to 12:30, Monday through Thursday. The environment involves weighing ingredients, batching and blending products, programming and operating blending machines, and fully disassembling equipment after each batch. Each production cycle includes complete sanitation of the machines and the room before starting the next run. The setting is structured, hands‑on, and highly focused on cleanliness, food safety, and quality control. Team members report a positive, supportive atmosphere where people enjoy working together and take pride in producing high‑quality food products.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Merrill, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $28.00/hr.

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 Merrill,WI. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 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 [e-mail] 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.