Lab Technician - Quality & Food Science Start Your Career in a Hands-On, High-Impact Lab Role Are you passionate about food science, quality, and laboratory work? Join a team where your testing and analysis directly ensure the safety, quality, and consistency of finished products enjoyed every day. As a Lab Technician, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience across both laboratory and manufacturing environments—perfect for someone looking to grow their career in quality, food science, or product testing. What You'll Do In this dynamic role, you'll split your time between the lab and the production floor to support product quality from start to finish: Perform essential testing including sensory, physical, and chemical analysis to ensure products meet specifications Own data accuracy by recording and managing results in a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Ensure product integrity by reviewing Bills of Material (BOM) for accuracy and completeness Identify and resolve quality issues by reporting nonconformances and initiating corrective actions Support production quality through inspections of equipment, sanitation processes, and finished product packaging Collaborate across teams by participating in audits, proficiency testing programs, and quality checks on the manufacturing floor Contribute to compliance by following GMP, GLP, and safety protocols, including proper use of PPE Gain versatile experience with wet chemistry testing, raw material analysis, and quality documentation What You Bring Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field 6-12 months of experience in a lab, QA/QC, or testing environment (including academic labs) Hands-on experience or exposure to wet chemistry techniques Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality Ability to analyze data, follow procedures, and communicate effectively Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment Fluency in English (written and verbal) Willingness to participate in sensory testing (no food allergies) Bonus Points For Experience in food manufacturing or production environments Familiarity with testing methods such as pH, viscosity, and sample analysis Understanding of quality systems and regulatory standards Why You'll Love This Role Hands-on lab experience with real-world product testing Exposure to manufacturing operations, giving you a well-rounded skill set Career growth potential toward full-time employment and advancement Variety in your workday—lab analysis plus production floor collaboration Impact-driven role ensuring product quality, safety, and customer trust
Schedule & Work Environment Shift:
Monday-Friday, 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM (2nd shift) Training will take place on 1st shift for approximately 2 months Opportunity to transition to 1st shift may be available Work setting: Combination of laboratory (70%) and production floor (30%) Exposure to chemicals, food allergens, and production environments Occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs) and moderate noise levels Grow Your Career With Us This is a great opportunity to build your foundation in food science, quality assurance, and laboratory operations while working alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative environment. If you're detail-oriented, curious, and eager to learn—we want to hear from you! Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Chicago Ridge, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $21.00/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 Chicago Ridge,IL.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 25, 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.