Quality Technician I - 1st shift

Synergy Flavors, Inc; Wauconda (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Synergy Flavors, Inc. seeks a laboratory technician to lead daily QA testing of raw materials, intermediates and finished products at our Wauconda site.

You will calibrate instruments, perform sensory-related checks, and ensure conformance to SOPs and specifications. The role requires a BS in Chemistry/Biology/Microbiology or Food Science and 0–4 years of lab flavor experience; familiarity with GFSI standards and QC instrumentation is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience/certificates in HACCP, FSP, ISO 22000, SQF, BRC, or equivalent Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) criteria preferred.
• Bachelor level degree with 0-2+ years of laboratory/Flavor industry experience or high school diploma with 2-4+ years of lab/flavor exposure.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily testing of all raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
• Ensure testing aligns with SOPs and specifications.
• Analyze data and generate Certificates of Analysis.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment and maintain clean lab conditions.
• Prepare samples for contract testing and manage sample storage.
• Support audit readiness and ensure records compliance.

Skills

HACCP

ISO 22000

SQF

BRC

GFSI

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or Food Science/Technology and/or Business related

Tools

pH meters

refractometer

densitometer

colorimeter

GC

auto-titrators

Job description

Company Overview

Synergy Flavors, part of the Carbery Group, is more than just a leading international supplier of ingredients to the global food and beverage industry—we’re a team driven by purpose. Our vision is simple yet powerful: enriching lives through healthier and tastier foods. We believe great flavor starts with great people. That’s why we’re committed to hiring creative, passionate individuals who want to make a real impact. With deep expertise across food, beverage, and nutrition, our teams develop high-quality taste solutions that inspire innovation and elevate everyday experiences.

Your Role in Synergy's Success

This person will be responsible for leading a primary program, conducting training, and initiating quality investigations, in addition to calibrating laboratory equipment, microbial/ raw material sampling, and testing of incoming raw materials, intermediates, and finished product samples.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform daily testing of all raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
• Ensure that the products are tested in accordance with established SOPs and within specifications.
• This testing may include: sensory evaluations, RFI, brix, pH, turbidity, GC, particle size analysis, density, manual titration, and other testing as assigned.
• Responsible for assuring product conformance to specifications.
• Analyze data and generate reports/Certificates of Analysis noting relevant specification information.
• Acquire microbial samples while maintaining a sterile/ clean environment throughout the process.
• Responsible for sampling of incoming raw materials for analysis.
• Responsible for calibrating laboratory equipment.
• Ensure laboratory and production records are in compliance.
• Prepare samples for contract testing.
• Responsible for the organization and storage of Raw Material and Finished Product retains/controls and records.
• Maintain a safe, neat, and clean environment to ensure audit readiness.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Discern sensory/organoleptic differences between tested raw materials, intermediates, and finished products for flavors and flavor chemicals.

Professional Experience / Qualifications

• Experience/certificates in HACCP, FSP, ISO 22000, SQF, BRC, or equivalent Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) criteria preferred.
• Experience with QC related instruments such as pH meters, refractometer, densitometer, colorimeter, GC, and auto-titrators preferred.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting information/data preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs.

Education: Bachelor of Science in a related field Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or Food Science/Technology and/or Business related; and 0-2+ years of experience or Highschool Diploma with 2-4+ years of Laboratory/Flavor industry experience.

Key Proficiencies

• Exhibit professional appearance and demeanor in day-to-day activities and communications.
• Demonstrate effective time management and attention to detail in work performed.

Starting Hourly Rate : $20.00/HR Monday - Friday 7:30a-4p The actual compensation that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled.

Department: Quality Location: Wauconda, Illinois Work Arrangement: Onsite Reporting To: Quality Supervisor

For more information on our benefits click here.

Our Commitment to our People

We are a diverse and growing workforce of over 1,000 people across eight countries globally. As we continue to grow, we want to ensure that Carbery Group continues to be a place where people are supported to develop and feel that they can do their best work. We are committed to driving growth, developing future capability and delivering results through our dedicated teams. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and an inclusive workplace where your skills, perspectives, and experience help shape the future of our industry. Join us and be part of a team that values collaboration and makes a meaningful impact - from local communities to global markets.

Carbery Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a supportive work environment. Across our global organisation, we employ 1000 people in 8 countries – and we are growing. From production specialists to R&D experts, finance, quality, digital, marketing, sales and so much more, see what opportunities await you with Carbery and Synergy.

Our Work Experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, it's our people. Our employees are self-disciplined, hard working, curious, trustworthy, humble, and truthful. They make choices according to what is best for the team, they live for opportunities to collaborate and make a difference, and they make us the #1 Top Workplace in the area.