Food Industry Quality Lab Technician

Arthur Schuman Master; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with 4.5% employer contrib

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Schuman Cheese in Elgin, IL is seeking a Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician to help ensure food safety and product quality. You will perform required tests on raw materials and finished goods, document results, and support the site's hold and release program.

The role requires attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to work with SOPs in a lab and production environment. This is a full-time hourly position with potential weekend shifts based on production needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and self-motivated.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in lab tasks.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Perform required testing on raw materials and finished goods.
• Follow SOPs and GMP/GLP with proper documentation.
• Conduct pH, moisture, salt and fat testing as required by specs.
• Enter data and maintain laboratory records.
• Assist with sampling, inspection and hold/release activities.
• Support audits by providing required documentation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Self-motivated

Effective collaboration

Strong communication

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma

Food manufacturing experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: IL - Elgin, IL 60120

Salary Range: $16.00 - $19.00 Hourly

Primary Purpose: The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician assists in ensuring food safety and quality standards are met. They are responsible for performing required testing on raw materials and finished goods.

Responsibilities

Quality Programs and Compliance

• Ensure compliance of quality requirements in relation to certifications, customer, state and federal standards
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures and Good Manufacturing & Laboratory practices, programs and policies
• Perform routine chemical analysis on raw material and finished product including pH, moisture, salt and fat testing as required by the current specifications
• Data entry and record keeping duties as required per laboratory SOP’s
• Assist with product sampling, inspection, testing and other duties required to support the site’s hold and release program
• Provide feedback to managers and production team when quality related discrepancies, violations or other issues that occur and need to be resolved

Audit Support

• Support Quality Management during facility visits, audits and inspections
• Retrieve documentation and records, track down needed individuals and any other information or people as requested during the audit process

Training and Employee Education

• Engage site employees in Good Manufacturing Practices, programs and policies to educate and improve compliance

All other duties as assigned.

QualificationsEducation, Qualities and Skills Required

• At least High School graduate or food manufacturing experience preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently
• Effective collaboration and influence skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) preferred
• Attention to detail; thorough and accurate in work

Supervisory Responsibility

No direct supervision required.

Work Environment

Work environment fluctuates between laboratory setting and food production areas. Standing is required for 70% of work shift. Must be able to walk, bend, stoop, squat and twist. Must be able to occasionally lift 25-50lbs. Temperatures range from 30°-100°F. Personal Protective Equipment must be worn in required areas.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time hourly position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, with a possibility of weekend shifts depending on the needs of production schedules. Expectations of 45-60 hours per week, depending on the needs of production schedules.

Physical Requirements

1. Sitting: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or workstation.
2. Typing: Frequent use of hands to type on a keyboard and operate a computer mouse.
3. Visual Requirements: Extended periods of viewing a computer screen and reading printed or digital documents.
4. Mobility: 50% walking or standing, including moving between different areas of the office and food production areas. Must be able to walk, bend stoop, squat and twist.
5. Manual Dexterity: The ability to handle office equipment and laboratory equipment.
6. Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with colleagues, clients, and vendors.
7. Lifting: Occasionally lifting and carrying light objects, typically up to 25-50 pounds, such cheese products and cases.
8. Reaching and Bending: Reaching above shoulder height and bending to access equipment and product samples.
9. Hearing: Adequate hearing ability to be aware of surrounding in production areas and to participate in meetings.

These requirements ensure that employees can perform their duties effectively and safely within an office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits

The budgeted salary range for this position is $16-$19.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with 4.5% employer contribution
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs

Salary range is based on consideration of required qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority, etc. Schuman Cheese reserves the right to offer the selected candidate or applicant an hourly rate or salary at an appropriate level to be set and determined by Schuman Cheese that is commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Schuman Cheese does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be held liable for recruiter fees associated with unsolicited resumes.

AI Recruiting Notice: Schuman Cheese may use AI-assisted tools to support recruiting activities, including candidate sourcing, job description development, and recruitment communications. AI is used only to assist our recruiting team. All hiring decisions are made by qualified Schuman Cheese employees following human review and evaluation.