Entry Level Food Science Degree - 3rd Shift

Actalent; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Plan

PTO

Job summary

Actalent in Nashville, TN is seeking a Laboratory Technician to perform quality control testing on vegetable oils and related products in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. You will split time between the laboratory and production floor, conducting SOP‑driven analytical tests, sensory evaluations, and packaging inspections, while documenting results and supporting cross‑functional teams.

The role requires attention to detail, adherence to GMPs, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to follow SOPs, GMP and safety procedures.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical testing of oils per SOPs.
• Collect and analyze samples from production and shipments.
• Conduct sensory evaluations to verify quality.
• Document test results accurately and promptly.
• Report quality concerns and assist with corrective actions.
• Maintain laboratory records and retention samples.
• Support cross-functional teams in safety and quality meetings.

Skills

Attention to detail

Documentation skills

SOP compliance

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's in Chemistry

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Laboratory Technician

Schedule: Sunday-Thursday | 11:00 PM - 7:30 AM

Position Overview

The Laboratory Technician is responsible for performing quality control testing on vegetable oils and related products to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and production standards. This role supports plant operations through analytical testing, quality inspections, documentation, and communication of results. The position is split between laboratory and production floor activities, including routine sanitation checks, equipment swabbing, and cleaning activities. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, safety-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform analytical testing of vegetable oils and related products following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Collect, prioritize, and analyze samples from production processes, raw materials, inbound and outbound shipments, and railcar deliveries.
• Conduct sensory evaluations, including tasting products to verify quality and consistency.
• Complete packaging line quality checks and product inspections.
• Document and report test results accurately and promptly.
• Communicate quality concerns and non-conformances to management and assist with corrective actions.
• Perform testing on finished products and incoming raw materials to ensure specification compliance.
• Maintain laboratory records, reports, and retention samples.
• Conduct laboratory housekeeping, sanitation activities, and GMP inspections.
• Learn and implement new testing methods, procedures, and quality standards as needed.
• Support cross-functional teams and participate in safety, operational, and quality meetings.
• Assist other departments as needed to support plant operations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately record and document results.
• Ability to follow SOPs, GMP guidelines, and safety procedures.
• Basic computer skills and data entry proficiency.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Comfortable performing sensory evaluations, including tasting products.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or a related scientific field.
• Previous experience in a laboratory, quality control, food manufacturing, or production environment.
• Experience performing analytical testing and interpreting laboratory data.
• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, and food safety programs.
• Experience within edible oils, food processing, or manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment, testing procedures, and quality assurance processes.
• Experience with sample management, retention programs, and laboratory documentation systems.
• Ability to identify trends, troubleshoot quality concerns, and recommend corrective actions.

Work Environment

This position operates in both laboratory and production environments within a food manufacturing facility. The role requires frequent standing, walking, bending, and occasional lifting while working around production equipment, food-grade materials, and laboratory chemicals. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, and other required safety gear, must be worn as needed. The facility maintains a strong focus on safety, quality, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Nashville, TN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $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) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Nashville,TN.

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.