Lab Technician - Flavor & Product Development 1st Shift | Growth Opportunities | Dynamic Team Environment Are you passionate about working in a hands-on lab setting and contributing to products people use every day? Join a fast-paced, innovative team where your work directly supports the creation of flavors for well-known consumer products. We're looking for a detail-oriented Lab Technician who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys balancing scientific precision with operational efficiency. If you're eager to grow your skills and be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team, this is a great opportunity. What You'll Do Prepare and compound flavor samples using established formulas for both internal teams and external customers Operate lab equipment (spray dryers, homogenizers, mixers, extractors) safely and efficiently Maintain accurate inventory of raw materials and finished samples Proactively resolve backorders to ensure timely delivery and production support Partner with Flavorists and R D teams to refine formulations and support product innovation Clean, sterilize, and maintain lab equipment to ensure consistent quality Document batch records with precision and maintain confidentiality of formulas Coordinate cross-functionally with Quality, Production, R D, and Shipping teams Help maintain a clean, organized, and safety-focused lab environment What We're Looking For 1-3 years of lab experience, ideally in flavors, food, or manufacturing Hands-on experience with wet chemistry and compounding Ability to operate standard lab equipment Strong attention to detail and organizational skills Excellent communication and teamwork abilities Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Solid math skills for measurements and formulations Commitment to safety and good laboratory practices Bonus Qualifications Degree in Chemistry, Food Science, or related field (preferred, not required) Experience in high-volume or batch-processing environments Interest in growing into advanced technical or specialized roles Why You'll Love Working Here Career growth - clear path to more advanced technical roles Hands-on training from experienced professionals Exposure to well-known food & beverage brands Collaborative, supportive, and inclusive team culture Modern, well-maintained laboratory environment Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Northfield, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $25.00/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 Northfield,IL.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 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.