Quality Assurance Laboratory Lead

Job Title:

Quality Assurance Laboratory Lead Job Description The Quality Assurance Laboratory Lead plays a crucial role in ensuring that food safety and quality standards are consistently met. This position involves overseeing product testing conducted by the Quality Assurance Lab and managing the creation and distribution of Certificates of Analysis for outgoing shipments. Responsibilities Ensure compliance with quality requirements related to certifications, customer, state, and federal standards. Follow Standard Operating Procedures and Good Manufacturing & Laboratory Practices, programs, and policies. Manage the creation and distribution of Certificates of Analysis for outgoing shipments. Perform data entry, record review, and record-keeping duties as required. Conduct daily testing of products to ensure parameters meet current specifications. Perform routine chemical analysis on raw materials and finished products, including pH, moisture, salt, and fat testing as needed. Assist with product sampling, inspection, testing, and other duties to support the site's hold and release program. Provide feedback to managers and the production team when quality-related discrepancies or issues occur and need resolution. Assist in shelf life study programs by reviewing samples and providing detailed reports. Oversee the laboratory proficiency testing program to ensure compliance with laboratory and department SOPs. Support Quality Management during facility visits, audits, and inspections. Retrieve documentation and records and track down needed individuals during the audit process. Engage site employees in Good Manufacturing Practices, programs, and policies to educate and improve compliance. Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field. Basic laboratory skills. Interest in a career in food quality. Detail-oriented with strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Experience with food science, biology, chemistry, quality assurance, laboratory practices, and testing such as pH, viscosity, and moisture testing. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience in a food manufacturing or quality assurance environment is a plus. Proficiency in Excel, including formulas, v-lookups, pivot tables, and VBA coding. Ability to work independently and solve problems efficiently. Desire for knowledge and career growth in the field of food quality. Work Environment The position is based in a food-cheese processing plant, working in the quality office/lab. Standard working hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturday hours to check lab test results, which are infrequent. The role offers significant growth opportunities, with a history of promoting from within. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bartlett, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $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 Bartlett,IL.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Apr 6, 2026. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through: Hiring diverse talent Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day. Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.