Job Description
Job Description
Job Title: QC Technician
Job Description
The QC Technician ensures that all food safety and quality parameters are consistently met by performing laboratory testing, line monitoring, and documentation in a fast-paced production environment. This role supports a busy food manufacturing facility by conducting standardized qualitative and quantitative tests, maintaining accurate records, and working closely with production teams to uphold strict quality and regulatory standards.
Responsibilities
- Ensure all parameters of food safety and product quality are adhered to and maintained in the laboratory and designated production areas.
- Calibrate laboratory and production line equipment to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
- Collect in-process and finished product samples and perform standardized qualitative and quantitative testing to confirm they meet specifications.
- Perform and record product evaluation tests in accordance with HACCP plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other food safety and quality programs.
- Accurately document and record all required information in the computer system in accordance with SOPs.
- Conduct ATP testing in support of the allergen control program.
- Perform microbiological testing as required to verify product and environmental safety.
- Maintain and organize the retain sample library to support traceability and investigations.
- Recognize quality deficiencies, initiate appropriate follow-up actions, and communicate issues promptly.
- Identify and isolate product that does not meet established standards and ensure proper hold procedures are followed.
- Understand and comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety regulations, and all relevant SOPs.
- Perform quality control tasks including product sampling, line monitoring, auditing, laboratory testing, and equipment calibration to ensure compliance with specifications.
- Hold products that do not meet company quality standards and provide appropriate dispositions based on findings and guidelines.
- Interpret and apply all information contained within product specification sheets.
- Maintain strong knowledge of the quality characteristics for each product packaged and tested.
- Conduct laboratory testing procedures such as brix, refractive index, pH, density, sensory evaluation, weights, moisture, and related analyses.
- Operate laboratory instruments including pH meters, viscosity meters, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), and UV/visual measurement equipment.
- Collaborate with production and other departments to support continuous production across multiple shifts, including weekend coverage as needed.
- Follow all safety procedures, including proper use of a half-face respirator when working with specific chemicals in production.
Essential Skills
- Experience in quality control or laboratory work within a food manufacturing or related environment.
- Proficiency in using pH meters and other measurement equipment for food testing.
- Ability to conduct laboratory testing procedures such as brix, refractive index, pH, density, sensory evaluation, weights, and moisture testing.
- Knowledge of food science or chemistry principles as they apply to quality control testing.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP plans, SOPs, and food safety regulations.
- Ability to operate laboratory instruments such as pH meters, viscosity meters, gas chromatography (GCMS), and UV/visual measurement equipment.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in testing, documentation, and recordkeeping.
- Capability to recognize quality deficiencies and take appropriate corrective actions.
- Comfort with using computer systems for data entry and maintaining electronic records.
- Ability to wear and properly use a half-face respirator when working with specific chemicals.
- Willingness and ability to work afternoons, evenings, and at least one weekend day as required to support production.
- AA, BA, or BS degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related science field OR a minimum of 1 year of food quality control experience with specific testing experience in brix, refractive index, pH, density, sensory, weights, and moisture testing.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience in food science, chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Prior experience conducting microbiological testing in a food laboratory environment.
- Familiarity with allergen control programs and ATP testing procedures.
- Experience maintaining a retain sample library and supporting traceability.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to interpret product specification sheets.
- Interest in building a long-term career in the food industry and remaining in this field.
- Ability to work effectively in a busy, production-driven environment with changing priorities.
- Flexibility to work varying weekend shifts and occasional different hours than the standard weekday schedule.
- Contract-to-hire mindset, with interest in transitioning to a permanent role.
- Understanding of sensory evaluation techniques for food products.
Work Environment
This role is based in a laboratory setting within a food manufacturing facility, focusing on testing products for pH, viscosity, and other quality attributes. The facility operates seven days a week, with production running two shifts Monday through Saturday and one shift on Sunday morning. The QC lab remains staffed to support these production schedules. The standard shift for this role is 1:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at a commerce-based facility. Candidates must be available to work one day on the weekend at the same location, typically resulting in a six-day workweek when weekend coverage is scheduled. Weekend shifts (Saturday or Sunday) may differ in hours from the weekday shift, and schedules may occasionally require back-to-back weekend work to cover absences or vacations. The environment involves working with food products, laboratory instruments, and specific chemicals, requiring adherence to safety protocols and the use of a half-face respirator when handling certain substances. The organization is a privately held wholesale flavor and color manufacturer that has been operating since 1985 and offers a contract-to-hire opportunity with sick time for consultants and fully paid benefits upon permanent hire. The culture emphasizes supporting a high-volume production operation, maintaining strict quality and food safety standards, and providing opportunities for professionals who want to build and grow their careers in the food industry.
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.
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 Jun 26, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.