Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician

Ontario Trillium Foundation; Covington (LA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Abita seeks a dedicated Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician to safeguard product quality, food safety, and brand integrity. You will perform raw material, in-process, and finished product testing, plus on‑floor inspections across brewing and packaging processes.

The role requires precise procedures, strong documentation, and the ability to prioritize time-sensitive testing in a fast-paced environment. Willingness to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and overtime is expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of laboratory, quality, manufacturing, food, or beverage industry experience preferred.
• Ability to follow procedures precisely, perform basic calculations, and maintain accurate records.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to production demands while maintaining accuracy.
• Basic computer proficiency, including email and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and willing to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.

Responsibilities

• Collect and test raw materials, in-process products, finished goods, retention samples, and customer complaint samples.
• Perform physical, chemical, microbiological, sensory, and packaging analyses within required production timelines.
• Conduct routine quality checks including pH, gravity, Brix, alcohol, carbonation, IBU, Color, Total Acidity, VDK using GC, fill heights, appearance, and other product-specific evaluations.
• Perform microbiological testing, including media preparation, plating, incubation, and result interpretation.
• Complete time-critical yeast viability testing, bright tank testing, and tank release notifications.
• Perform packaging quality inspections, startup and changeover checks, ATP verification, and finished product evaluations.
• Monitor process controls, pasteurization data, and product specifications; identify and promptly communicate quality or food safety concerns.
• Maintain laboratory equipment through cleaning, calibration, verification, and basic troubleshooting.
• Accurately document results, observations, instrument checks, and product status in approved systems.
• Maintain retain samples, laboratory inventory, and audit-ready work areas.
• Support audits, food safety programs, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate results, priorities, and issues clearly with production teams and during shift handoffs.
• Assist in maintaining a clean laboratory

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Basic computer skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Brewing Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician protects product quality, food safety, and brand integrity by performing laboratory testing and production‑floor inspections on raw materials, in‑process products, packaging, and finished goods. This hands‑on role works closely with Brewing, Processing, and Packaging teams to verify specifications, identify deviations, support product release decisions, and keep operations moving safely and efficiently. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, a sense of urgency, accurate documentation, and the ability to prioritize time‑sensitive testing in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect and test raw materials, in‑process products, finished goods, retention samples, and customer complaint samples.

• Perform physical, chemical, microbiological, sensory, and packaging analyses within required production timelines.

• Conduct routine quality checks including pH, gravity, Brix, alcohol, carbonation, IBU, Color, Total Acidity, VDK using GC, fill heights, appearance, and other product‑specific evaluations.

• Perform microbiological testing, including media preparation, plating, incubation, and result interpretation.

• Complete time‑critical yeast viability testing, bright tank testing, and tank release notifications.

• Perform packaging quality inspections, startup and changeover checks, ATP verification, and finished product evaluations.

• Monitor process controls, pasteurization data, and product specifications; identify and promptly communicate quality or food safety concerns.

• Maintain laboratory equipment through cleaning, calibration, verification, and basic troubleshooting.

• Accurately document results, observations, instrument checks, and product status in approved systems.

• Maintain retain samples, laboratory inventory, and audit‑ready work areas.

• Support audits, food safety programs, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Communicate results, priorities, and issues clearly with production teams and during shift handoffs.

• Assist in maintaining a clean laboratory

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.

• One year of laboratory, quality, manufacturing, food, or beverage industry experience preferred.

• Ability to follow procedures precisely, perform basic calculations, and maintain accurate records.

• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to production demands while maintaining accuracy.

• Basic computer proficiency, including email and Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross‑functional team.

• Must be at least 21 years of age and willing to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Brewing Science, or a related field.

• Experience in beverage, brewing, fermentation, food manufacturing, or packaging operations.

• Knowledge of microbiological testing, beverage chemistry, HACCP, GMPs, sanitation programs, and audit readiness

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is based in both laboratory and manufacturing environments. Employees may be exposed to noise, wet conditions, temperature extremes, chemicals, biological materials, and moving equipment while following established safety procedures. Required PPE may include safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and steel‑toe footwear.

The position requires standing and walking for extended periods, frequent bending, reaching, climbing stairs or ladders, handling samples and laboratory equipment, and lifting up to 50 pounds. The ability to work safely and effectively in a fast‑paced production environment is essential.

Abita is an equal opportunity employer.