Food QA Lab Lead - COAs & Compliance

Actalent; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave

Job summary

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Lead at Actalent is responsible for maintaining food safety and quality standards by overseeing lab testing and issuing Certificates of Analysis for outgoing shipments.

Based in Elgin, IL, this contract-to-hire role supports GMPs, SOPs, daily product testing (pH, moisture, salt, fat), audits, and the hold-and-release program, with typical hours Monday to Friday plus occasional Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Basic laboratory skills.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
• Detail-oriented with ability to review Certificates of Analysis and ensure they meet specs.
• Interest in a career in food quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with quality requirements related to certifications, customer, state, and federal standards.
• Follow SOPs and Good Manufacturing & Laboratory practices, programs, and policies.
• Create and distribute Certificates of Analysis for outgoing shipments.
• Perform data entry, record review, and record-keeping duties as required.
• Conduct daily testing of products to ensure parameters meet current specifications, including routine chemical analysis on raw materials and finished products such as pH, moisture, salt, and fat testing.
• Assist with product sampling, inspection, testing, and other duties to support the site's hold and release program.
• Provide feedback to managers and the production team regarding quality-related discrepancies, violations, or issues that need resolution.
• Assist in shelf life study programs by reviewing samples and providing detailed reports.
• Oversee the laboratory proficiency testing program to ensure compliance with laboratory and department SOPs.
• Support Quality Management during facility visits, audits, and inspections.
• Retrieve documentation and records during the audit process.
• Engage site employees in Good Manufacturing Practices to educate and improve compliance.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Detail-oriented

Independent worker

Problem-solving

Interest in QA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

Excel (formulas, v-lookups, pivot tables)

VBA coding

Job description

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Lead at Actalent is responsible for maintaining food safety and quality standards by overseeing lab testing and issuing Certificates of Analysis for outgoing shipments.

Based in Elgin, IL, this contract-to-hire role supports GMPs, SOPs, daily product testing (pH, moisture, salt, fat), audits, and the hold-and-release program, with typical hours Monday to Friday plus occasional Saturdays.