QC Lab Technician

Job Title : Lab Technician Job Description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Quality Line Tech to join our team. This role is essential in ensuring that our beverages-including juices, teas, waters, and concentrates-meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, and customer satisfaction throughout the manufacturing process.

Responsibilities

Conduct standardized analytical tests on juice, drinks, waters, teas, and concentrates, including pH, TA, vitamin C, °Brix, color, clarity, and turbidity, to ensure compliance with specifications; record results as applicable.

Use sensory analysis (flavor, odor, visual) to ensure that products meet specific characteristics at blending and finished good sections. Along with any other necessary testing needs that may arise.

Support bulk and raw material sampling, testing, and release as needed. Additional testing includes : sensory, pH, viscosity, Brix, Acid.

Perform pre-operational verifications and line clearance at the start of the shift and at flavor / label changes.

Carry out and document hourly quality line checks analytical, labeling, and packaging.

Accurately maintain records and documents testing information and results in real time in compliance with procedures and regulations.

Identify and communicate issues regarding aseptic production matters.

Define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.

Document and provide support for investigations pertaining to quality issues requiring resolution. Documentation includes : OOS, NCR, and Deviations.

Support product and package analysis on the Aseptic Line. Demonstrate ability to support production lines by answering quality related questions and ensuring that the department is meeting the required quality standards.

Execute routine laboratory work and microbial testing of finished goods, bulk, and raw materials for compliance to identified organisms of interest under FDA, SQF, and other relevant regulatory requirements.

Respond to Food Safety and Quality incidents, review, and verify Critical Control Points and execute the environmental monitoring program.

Assist in sampling, placing items on QA hold, physically & electronically in QAD, evaluating and releasing holds for proper disposition.

In coordination with the Quality Assurance and / or Production Manager, discard or reject materials not meeting specifications or other requirements.

Assist in performing calibration and logging results of all lab and floor instrumentation when requested.

Provide additional QA presence in problem-solving and special project management (e.g., rework operations, downtime activities, etc.).

As part of QA presence in the plant, make observations and corrections related to SQF, GMP, regulatory, quality, sanitation, and employee safety concerns.

Participate in the employee training program.

Follow safe work practices and be proactive in implementing safety and housekeeping improvements.

Complete all other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

1 to 3 years of relevant experience.

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.

Ability to learn analytical and lab-related responsibilities.

Ability to work independently.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to direct, coach, and train others.

Computer literate.

Detail-oriented and able to multi-task.

Three months of manufacturing experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Experience in the food / beverage industry or GMP environment.

Experience with microbiology lab techniques.

Credibility and integrity.

Build and maintain professional relationships.

Associate's degree or higher in general science, food science, microbiology, or a related field.

Work Environment

This position will be on the manufacturing floor working hand-in-hand with the production operators. The work environment is a very clean food supplier, where you will engage in sampling and testing on the manufacturing floor. It is a dynamic setting where safety and quality are paramount.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Mills River, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $56160.00 - $58240.00 / yr.

Starting Pay : o $27 / hourlyo Weekly Payo $1 additional shift differential when working on Night Shift

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mills River,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 30, 2025.

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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.