Quality Lab Technician

Kerry; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Employee Share Plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Accident insurance

Job summary

Kerry, located in Rochester, MN, is seeking a Quality Lab Tech to support site Quality & Food Safety through routine analytical testing and precise documentation. The role involves on-floor verification to protect food safety and enable timely releases, with a 2-2-3 shift schedule (5:30 PM–5:00 AM).

Ideal candidates have 2 years of quality assurance experience in a lab/manufacturing setting, familiarity with GMPs, and strong data integrity skills.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with GMPs and food safety fundamentals is required.
• Ability to maintain data integrity and produce audit-ready documentation.
• Proficiency with computers and common office/lab software.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine analytical tests using assigned laboratory instruments and approved work instructions/checklists.
• Maintains timely and accurate documentation in required systems, ensuring traceability from sample receipt to final result.
• Performs sanitation verification activities, including ATP and microbiological swabs on equipment and production areas.
• Performs and documents CCP and food safety verification checks as assigned per product requirements and procedures.
• Performs label verification and packaging checks to confirm correct labels and critical elements.
• Initiates product holds when quality is questioned and notifies QC leadership as per hold/release process.
• Completes required analytical testing and documentation to support finished product or raw material release.
• Performs or coordinates routine equipment checks, calibrations, and preventive maintenance with accurate records.

Skills

Quality control

GMP awareness

Data integrity

Communication

Time management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Biology

Microbiology

Food Science

Tools

Laboratory instruments

Lab software

Job description

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Where will you work?

Our Rochester, MN location is part of our Foundational Technologies Division, specializing in fermented ingredients for the bio-science industry. We’re proud of our clean-label, natural products and our commitment to freshness and quality.

Note: The shift is 5:30 PM to 5:00 AM on a 2-2-3 schedule rotation.

What will you do?

The Quality Lab Tech supports site Quality & Food Safety through routine analytical laboratory testing, accurate documentation, and timely communication of results. This role is also responsible for key on-floor verification activities that protect food safety and enable timely release.

• Performs routine analytical tests using assigned laboratory instruments and approved work instructions/checklists.
• Maintains timely and accurate documentation in required systems and/or controlled forms, maintaining traceability from sample receipt through final result.
• Performs sanitation verification activities as assigned, including visual cleaning checks and collection of ATP and/or microbiological swabs on equipment and production areas per site requirements.
• Performs and documents required CCP and food safety verification checks as assigned in accordance with applicable product requirements and site procedures.
• Performs label verification and packaging checks as assigned to confirm the correct label and critical label elements are being used and documented per site/customer requirements.
• Initiates product holds when quality is in question by applying required hold identification and promptly notifying the QC lab/Quality leadership per site hold and release process.
• Completes required analytical testing and documentation to support finished product and/or raw material release within established timelines.
• Performs or coordinates routine equipment checks, calibrations, and preventive maintenance (PM) activities per schedule; maintains accurate records.

What will you need to be successful?

Education

• Associate's or bachelor’s degree preferred in Biology, Microbiology, Food Science, or a related scientific field.

Experience

• 2 years of quality experience acceptable in an analytical, manufacturing QC, or food laboratory environment preferred.
• Experience with laboratory instruments, sanitation verification activities (e.g., ATP/micro swabs), safe chemical handling, and working to production-driven timelines preferred.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Familiarity with GMPs and food safety fundamentals (including sanitation verification, CCP awareness, and packaging/label controls).
• Ability to maintain data integrity and produce audit-ready documentation.
• Proficiency with computers and common office/lab software.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills. Strong organization and time-management skills; able to prioritize competing tasks, escalatie issues and meet deadlines with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to work effectively in a manufacturing environment and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written procedures and checklists precisely.

Physical / Work Environment

• Ability to wear required PPE and work in a food manufacturing and laboratory environment.
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods; perform repetitive motions; and lift/carry typical lab items consistent with site safety guidelines.
• May require shift work, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on business needs.

Compensation Data

The pay rate for this position is $27.00 - $29.00 per hour.

Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• medical
• dental
• vision
• paid time off
• 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities
• Employee Share Plan
• Life
• disability
• accident insurance

This job posting is anticipated to expire on 11/09/2026.

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and employment decisions are made by human recruitment and leadership teams.

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.