Job Information
Actalent Quality Lab Technician in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin
Job Title: Quality Lab Technician
Job Description
The Quality Lab Technician supports daily production by performing routine laboratory testing and on-floor quality checks for a variety of food products. This role rotates between operating lab instrumentation and conducting quality inspections on the production floor, ensuring that coatings, packaging, and in-process products meet established quality and safety standards in a GMP-regulated food manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
Check in with first-shift quality and production teams at the start of the shift to understand production status, current quality issues, and ongoing activities.
Rotate daily between running samples through laboratory instrumentation and performing quality checks on the production floor.
Conduct routine quality testing on coatings, packaging materials, and in-process food products according to established procedures.
Perform basic chemical tests including moisture analysis, pH measurements using a pH Pro, salt testing using a salt chloride analyzer, and fat analysis.
Collect samples from the production floor, transfer them through the pass-through window to the lab, plate samples as required, and run them on lab instruments to obtain accurate results.
Complete instrument calibrations on a regular basis to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
Manage the check-in and check-out process for laboratory equipment used by production, ensuring proper use and availability.
Provide daily production and quality support for smoked product lines, including links and related items.
Work with pasteurized processed cheese products, including wedges and blocks produced for co-packers, as well as queso dip.
Handle full-case products, including portioning, smoking, and preparing finished goods for return to customers.
Support production and quality testing for a variety of product formats, including cups ranging from 0.7 oz to 8 oz.
Contribute to quality activities for the production of vegan cream cheese and vegan cheese wedges.
Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and all relevant food safety and quality procedures while working in both the lab and production areas.
Collaborate with quality technicians, microbiologists, and production staff across shifts to maintain consistent quality standards.
Essential Skills
High School Diploma or GED.
At least 1 year of quality experience in a food manufacturing environment operating under GMP requirements.
Hands-on experience with quality control activities in a food production setting.
Basic laboratory skills, including sample handling, plating, and operation of lab instrumentation.
Ability to perform routine chemical tests such as moisture, pH, salt, and fat analysis.
Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in food production.
Understanding of microbiology principles as they relate to food safety and quality.
Ability to work effectively on the production floor and in a laboratory environment.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy when recording and interpreting test results.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in the food industry or food production, particularly with dairy, smoked products, or vegan alternatives.
in microbiology or prior experience supporting a microbiology lab.
Previous experience working with multiple production and packaging lines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including quality technicians and microbiologists across different shifts.
Comfort working with a variety of product formats and packaging types.
Work Environment
This role is based in a food manufacturing facility that includes both laboratory and production floor settings. The chem lab is located in the middle of the production area, providing close interaction with ongoing manufacturing activities, while the micro lab is situated off the office area for more specialized testing. The facility operates three packaging lines and eight production lines, supporting a diverse range of products including processed cheese, smoked items, queso dip, and vegan alternatives. The schedule follows a Monday through Friday second-shift pattern from 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with two paid 10-minute breaks and one unpaid 30-minute meal break. Occasional Saturday work may be required, currently as often as every Saturday or every other Saturday, with Saturday hours paid at double time; this may change based on customer demand. The quality team includes quality technicians and microbiologists on both first and second shifts, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment focused on maintaining high quality and food safety standards.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Blue Mounds, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $24.50 - $28.00/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 Blue Mounds,WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 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.