Quality Assurance Technician

Actalent; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability benefits

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Quality Assurance Technician to ensure food products meet safety and quality standards. You will perform pre-operational inspections, run X-ray and metal detector tests, verify packaging integrity and labeling accuracy, and maintain detailed QA documentation.

Collaborate with production teams to address issues, hold lines when needed, and support continuous improvement in quality and food safety practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in quality control/assurance in a food manufacturing setting (min 6 months).
• Knowledge of GMP in food production.
• Hands-on with X-ray and metal detectors for foreign material control.
• Able to perform detailed inspections and testing for compliance.
• Bachelor’s/Associate or equivalent quality experience in food industry.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-operational inspections to ensure quality and safety before production.
• Conduct X-ray and metal detector testing to remove foreign materials.
• Carry out routine quality checks during production to meet specs.
• Maintain accurate quality documentation and corrective actions.
• Verify packaging integrity, labeling, and seal checks.
• Hold lines to address quality concerns and support CAPAs.
• Assist with internal audits and QA-related training.

Skills

Quality control experience

GMP knowledge

X-ray testing

Multitasking in production

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree

Equivalent quality experience

Tools

X-ray testing equipment

Metal detector testing

Labeling verification tools

Job description

Job Title: Quality Assurance TechnicianJob Description

The Quality Assurance Technician ensures that all products meet established quality and safety standards within a food manufacturing environment. This role performs pre-operational inspections, conducts testing using X-ray and metal detection equipment, verifies packaging integrity and labeling accuracy, and maintains thorough quality documentation. The technician works closely with production teams to identify and address issues, hold lines when necessary, and support continuous improvement in quality and food safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-operational inspections to verify that equipment and production areas meet quality and food safety standards before production begins.
• Conduct X-ray testing and metal detector testing to identify and remove potential foreign materials from products.
• Carry out routine quality checks throughout the production process to ensure products meet specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Complete and maintain accurate quality documentation, including inspection records, test results, and corrective actions.
• Perform dimension and integrity checks on boxes and packaging to confirm they meet required standards and protect product quality.
• Verify that ingredient codes on labels match product contents and ensure label accuracy for ingredients and other required information.
• Conduct seal checks to confirm packaging is properly sealed and maintains product safety and shelf life.
• Check product specifications such as best-by dates and other critical labeling details to ensure compliance.
• Inspect products and production areas for foreign materials and take appropriate action if issues are identified.
• Hold production lines when necessary to address quality or safety concerns and prevent nonconforming product from leaving the facility.
• Support internal audits and inspections related to quality control, GMP, and food safety requirements.
• Collaborate with production, supervision, and leadership to communicate quality issues, propose improvements, and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage time effectively to balance office-based documentation and floor-based testing and inspections.
• Maintain high standards of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail in all quality assurance activities.
• Participate in training and development opportunities, including potential PCQI and HACCP certifications, to enhance technical and food safety knowledge.

Essential Skills

• Experience in quality control, quality assurance, or quality inspection within a food manufacturing environment, with at least 6 months of food manufacturing quality experience.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their application in a food production setting.
• Hands-on experience with X-ray testing and metal detecting equipment used for foreign material control.
• Ability to perform detailed inspections, audits, and testing to verify product quality and compliance.
• Bachelor’s degree or Associate’s degree, or equivalent quality experience working in the food industry.
• Strong attention to detail to identify discrepancies in labeling, packaging, and product specifications.
• High level of integrity and accountability in handling quality and food safety responsibilities.
• Effective time management skills to balance multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong communication skills to clearly convey findings, issues, and recommendations to team members and leadership.
• Commitment to honesty and transparent reporting of quality and safety issues.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Understanding of HACCP principles and critical control points, with the ability to apply them in a food manufacturing environment considered a strong plus.
• Interest in obtaining PCQI and HACCP certifications, with opportunities for company-supported training and certification.
• Experience conducting audits or participating in internal and external quality or food safety audits.
• Comfort working with both office-based systems and on-floor testing equipment.
• Willingness to contribute ideas in an open, transparent environment that values continuous improvement.
• Motivation to grow within a growing company that supports career development and internal promotion.

Work Environment

The role is based in a food manufacturing facility with two main areas: a baking side and a toppings side. The baking area undergoes weekly cleanings, while the toppings area, which works with meats, has daily cleanings to maintain strict hygiene standards. The facility operates on a 24/5 schedule and may run on weekends depending on production needs. This position typically follows a 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday schedule. The work environment is relatively loud, and the technician spends approximately 40% of the time in an office setting handling documentation and 60% on the production floor performing testing and checks. The quality team structure includes multiple technicians, a lead, and a supervisor, and the company is moving toward a structured one-month training process, with many employees becoming proficient sooner. The culture emphasizes transparency, an open-door policy, and open communication across all levels of the organization, with leadership accessible and receptive to new ideas.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kankakee, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $23.00/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.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kankakee,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

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.