Lab Technician

Actalent; New Jersey; On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Lab Technician for the 2nd shift in Elmwood Park, NJ, to perform routine and specialized analytical testing in a food manufacturing setting. The role emphasizes microbiological and chemical analyses, strict documentation, and adherence to GMP, SOPs, and HACCP standards.

The position involves supporting QA/QC activities, cross-functional teams, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring laboratory safety and equipment maintenance.

Qualifications

• Experience in a laboratory setting with analytical testing, QA/QC, and documentation.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and SQF is preferred.
• Familiarity with food manufacturing and ingredient testing.
• Ability to follow SOPs and laboratory procedures consistently.
• Strong attention to detail and accurate record-keeping.
• Experience in a frozen/plant-based product environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non-routine analytical tests (pH, moisture, temperature, weight, microbiological safety).
• Carry out microbiological analyses to support product safety and compliance.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely records per GMP, SOPs, HACCP.
• Follow established lab procedures to ensure reliable test results.
• Support cross-functional investigations with data and insights.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of testing methods and workflows.
• Ensure equipment is calibrated and maintained; adhere to safety guidelines.
• Collaborate with QA/QC teams to support internal and external standards.

Skills

Analytical testing

GMP knowledge

HACCP knowledge

QA/QC experience

Documentation

SOP adherence

Attention to detail

Second shift flexibility

Communication

Laboratory procedures

Education

Food Science/ Nutrition/ Biology/ Chemistry degree

Related science degree

Tools

pH meters

Moisture analyzers

Microbiological testing equipment

Chemical analysis instruments

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Lab Technician 2nd Shift

Job Description

The Lab Technician performs routine and non-routine analytical testing to support product safety, quality, and compliance within a food manufacturing environment. This role focuses on conducting microbiological and chemical analyses, maintaining accurate documentation in line with GMP, SOPs, and HACCP requirements, and supporting cross-functional teams with reliable analytical data. The Lab Technician also contributes to continuous improvement initiatives and ensures all laboratory activities align with established quality assurance and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non-routine analytical tests using standard laboratory equipment to measure pH, moisture, temperature, weight, and microbiological safety of samples.
• Carry out microbiological analyses to help ensure product safety and compliance with established quality and food safety standards.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely records of all test results and laboratory activities in accordance with GMP, SOPs, and HACCP requirements.
• Follow established laboratory procedures and quality assurance protocols to ensure reliable, reproducible, and compliant test results.
• Support cross-functional investigations by providing analytical data, documentation, and technical insight as needed.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance testing methods, documentation practices, and laboratory workflows.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is used correctly, handled safely, calibrated as needed, and maintained in good working condition.
• Adhere to all safety, quality, and regulatory guidelines while working in the laboratory and production support areas.
• Conduct QA and QC testing on food ingredients and products, including microbiological, chemical, and quality inspection activities.
• Collaborate with quality assurance and quality control teams to support compliance with internal and external standards, including HACCP and related programs.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated ability to conduct routine and non-routine analyses using standard laboratory equipment to measure pH, moisture, temperature, weight, and microbiological safety.
• Experience with analytical testing, documentation, quality assurance, and quality control in a laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of chemistry and laboratory practices relevant to food manufacturing and ingredient testing.
• Understanding and practical experience with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
• HACCP experience and the ability to apply HACCP principles in daily testing and documentation activities.
• Skills in testing food ingredients and products for QA, including microbiological and chemical analyses, QA/QC, and QA inspection.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in recording and maintaining test results and laboratory records.
• Ability to follow SOPs, laboratory procedures, and quality assurance protocols consistently.
• Effective communication skills to provide clear analytical data and technical insight to cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work on a fixed second-shift schedule.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a food manufacturing environment or a science degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field; open to recent graduates.
• SQF experience preferred, including familiarity with SQF requirements and documentation.
• Bilingual skills are an asset but not required.
• Interest in working within the frozen food, plant-based, and health-conscious product categories.
• Willingness to participate in continuous improvement initiatives and adapt to evolving laboratory methods and quality programs.

Work Environment

• This position is based in a laboratory within a food manufacturing facility that specializes in frozen and plant-based, health-conscious products.
• The role operates on a second-shift schedule, Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• The environment involves working with standard laboratory equipment for chemical and microbiological testing, following GMP, HACCP, and quality assurance protocols.
• The Lab Technician works closely with quality and production teams to support ongoing manufacturing operations and product testing.
• The facility supports a well-established brand with more than 30 years in the frozen food industry and continues to grow within categories that experience strong consumer demand.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Elmwood Park, NJ.