Quality Control Laboratory Technician

Actalent; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance (Voluntary)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Quality Control Laboratory Technician in Commerce, CA to ensure food safety and quality in the laboratory and production areas. You will calibrate equipment, collect samples, and perform tests under HACCP and SOPs.

The role requires a AA/BA/BS in Food Science, Chemistry, or related field or 1+ year QC experience, with ability to wear a respirator. Shifts typically 1:30 PM–10 PM, six days per week, onsite.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in quality control and laboratory operations.
• Experience with pH meters, UV visual, and measurement equipment.
• Experience in food science and chemistry.
• Experience with gas chromatography.
• AA/BA/BS degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or related science field, or 1+ year experience in Food QC work with specific testing experience.
• Ability to wear a half-face respirator when working with specific chemicals in production.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all parameters of food safety and quality are adhered to and maintained in the laboratory and designated areas.
• Calibrate lab and line equipment for accurate results.
• Collect in-process and finished product samples for testing to ensure they meet specifications.
• Perform and record product evaluation tests in accordance with HACCP Plans, SOPs, and other food safety/quality programs.
• Document all information accurately in the computer system per SOPs.
• Conduct ATP testing per allergen control program.
• Conduct microbiological testing and maintain retain sample library.
• Recognize quality deficiencies and initiate proper follow-up.
• Identify and isolate products that do not meet standards.
• Follow GMPs and food safety regulations and SOPs.
• Perform QC tasks including product sampling, line monitoring, auditing, lab testing, and calibration.
• Hold products that do not meet standards and provide dispositions.
• Understand product specification sheets and quality characteristics.
• Conduct lab testing procedures such as pH, viscosity, density, etc.
• Work with pH meters, viscosity meters, and GCMS.

Skills

Quality control

Laboratory operations

Food science

Chemistry

Ability to wear respirator

Education

AA/BA/BS in Food Science, Chemistry, or related science

Tools

GCMS

pH meter

Viscosity meter

Job description

Job Title: Quality Control Laboratory Technician

Job Description

As a Quality Control Laboratory Technician, you will play a critical role in ensuring that all parameters of food safety and quality are adhered to and maintained in the laboratory and designated areas. This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where you can utilize your skills in food science and chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all parameters of food safety and quality are adhered to and maintained in the laboratory and designated areas.
• Calibrate lab and line equipment for accurate results.
• Collect in-process and finished product samples for standardized qualitative and quantitative testing to ensure they meet specifications.
• Perform and record product evaluation tests in accordance with HACCP Plans, SOPs, and other food safety/quality programs.
• Ensure all required information is accurately documented and recorded in the computer system in accordance with SOPs.
• Conduct ATP testing per allergen control program.
• Conduct microbiological testing and maintain retain sample library.
• Recognize quality deficiencies and initiate proper follow-up.
• Identify and isolate products that do not meet standards.
• Understand and comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and food/food safety regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Perform QC tasks including product sampling, line monitoring, auditing, lab testing, and calibration to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Hold products that do not meet company quality standards and provide appropriate dispositions.
• Understand all information contained within a product specification sheet.
• Be knowledgeable of the quality characteristics for the product packaged.
• Conduct lab testing procedures such as brix, refractory index, PH, density, sensory, weights, moisture testing, etc.
• Work with pH meter, viscosity meter, and GCMS.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in quality control and laboratory operations.
• Experience with pH meters, UV visual, and measurement equipment.
• Experience in food science and chemistry.
• Experience with gas chromatography.
• AA/BA/BS degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or related science field, or 1+ year experience in Food QC work with specific testing experience.
• Ability to wear a half-face respirator when working with specific chemicals in production.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Candidates must be committed to working and staying in the food industry.
• Must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Work Environment

The role is based in a lab setting where you will test food for pH, viscosity, and other characteristics. The facility operates seven days a week, requiring support throughout, including one day on the weekend (total of six days per week). Shifts are typically from 1:30 PM to 10 PM, Monday to Friday, with varying hours possible on weekends. The facility is located in Commerce, and candidates should be prepared for occasional back-to-back weekend work if necessary.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Commerce, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. 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 Commerce,CA. 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.