Quality Control Technician

Actalent; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Health Spending Account

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Lemont, IL seeks a Quality Control Technician to support production quality and food safety. You will perform QC checks, basic testing, and monitorCritical Control Points, while applying GMP and HACCP principles and collaborating with the quality team.

The role offers 2nd shift hours, onsite work, contractual-to-hire status, and a competitive pay range with strong benefits and training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in quality assurance or quality control in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Understanding of GMP and its application in production.
• Ability to perform and interpret basic product tests (salt, acidity, viscosity, moisture).
• Familiarity with QC equipment (metal detectors, x-ray).
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks on production lines.

Responsibilities

• Perform QC checks on the production line to ensure specs.
• Conduct basic product testing and measurements.
• Monitor Critical Control Points and verify metal detectors and x-ray machines.
• Carry out pre-op inspections of lines/equipment.
• Perform microbiological and allergen swabbing per procedures.
• Oversee QC on 1–2 lines and manage samples up to ~10/hour.
• Apply GMP and HACCP principles consistently.
• Collaborate with quality lead to resolve issues.

Skills

Quality control on production line

GMP knowledge

Basic product testing

Documentation and testing

Attention to detail

Education

Some college education preferred

PCQI certification desired

HACCP certification desired

Relevant education in quality or food science

Tools

Metal detectors

X-ray machines

Job description

Job Title: Quality Control Technician

Job Description

The Quality Control Technician works on the production line to ensure products meet strict quality and safety standards. This role performs routine quality checks, basic product testing, and monitoring of critical control points while supporting a culture of continuous improvement and food safety. It offers strong training opportunities, exposure to a wide variety of products, and a stable environment with excellent benefits and work-life balance.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality control checks on the production line to ensure products meet established specifications and standards.
• Conduct basic product testing, including measurements of salt content, acidity, viscosity, and moisture levels.
• Monitor and verify Critical Control Points, including the operation and effectiveness of metal detectors and x-ray machines.
• Carry out pre-operational (pre-op) inspections of production lines and equipment before manufacturing begins.
• Perform microbiological and allergen swabbing according to established procedures and documentation requirements.
• Oversee quality on 1–2 production lines at a time, adjusting focus based on production needs and sample load.
• Manage sample collection, handling, and documentation, with the ability to process up to approximately 10 samples per hour depending on product type.
• Apply Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety principles consistently throughout all quality control activities.
• Work independently to manage daily tasks and time, staying proactive about upcoming production and workload for the week.
• Collaborate with the quality lead and other production team members to resolve quality issues and support continuous improvement.
• Follow established quality assurance and quality control procedures, including HACCP and PCQI-related processes where applicable.
• Adhere strictly to attendance and punctuality expectations to support reliable production and quality operations.
• Participate in ongoing training and learning opportunities to expand knowledge of quality systems, food safety, and regulatory requirements.

Essential Skills

• Experience in quality assurance or quality control in a manufacturing or production environment, or relevant exposure to manufacturing operations.
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their application in a production setting.
• Ability to perform and interpret basic product tests, including salt, acid, viscosity, and moisture measurements.
• Familiarity with quality control equipment such as metal detectors and x-ray machines, or the ability to learn their use quickly.
• Capacity to perform microbiological and allergen swabbing following established protocols.
• Ability to work independently, manage own time effectively, and stay organized with multiple tasks and lines.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate workload and prepare for upcoming production demands.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in testing, documentation, and monitoring of critical control points.
• Reliability and commitment to meeting attendance and punctuality requirements.
• Comfort working on a production floor environment and following safety and hygiene standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, particularly in food or consumer goods production, is highly valued.
• Some college education is a plus but not required.
• PCQI (Preventive Controls Qualified Individual) and HACCP certifications are a plus but not required; candidates without these certifications are welcome.
• New graduates with relevant education or internship experience in quality, food science, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to participate in annual PCQI training provided by the company, with the opportunity to obtain PCQI certification.
• Interest in continuous learning, with the ability to take advantage of a robust training budget and additional development opportunities.
• Strong communication skills for working with production staff and quality team members.
• Adaptability to changing production volumes and sample loads while maintaining quality standards.

Work Environment

This is a 2nd shift role, typically working Monday through Thursday from approximately 2:30 PM to 1:00 AM.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $24.00/hr.

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 Lemont,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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.