Quality Assurance Technician
Job Description
The Quality Assurance Technician supports a fast-paced food manufacturing facility by ensuring that all products consistently meet internal quality standards and regulatory requirements for safety, quality, and consistency. This role involves performing routine inspections and tests, monitoring production processes, enforcing food safety and Good Manufacturing Practices, and maintaining accurate documentation to support food safety and quality systems. The technician works closely with production and sanitation teams and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives.
Pay - $22-$24/hour
Responsibilities
Perform routine quality checks on raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods to verify they meet established specifications.
Monitor and enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation procedures, and food safety protocols across production areas.
Conduct environmental and product sampling for microbiological and chemical testing according to established procedures.
Verify compliance with HACCP, FDA, USDA, and other applicable food safety and regulatory requirements.
Maintain, use, and calibrate quality assurance equipment such as scales, thermometers, and pH meters to ensure accurate measurements.
Document and report non-conformances, assist in root cause analysis, and support the implementation and follow-up of corrective actions.
Collaborate with production and sanitation teams to ensure quality and food safety standards are clearly understood and consistently upheld.
Assist in internal audits and support external inspections by preparing documentation and providing information as needed.
Maintain accurate and organized records of inspections, test results, quality metrics, and other QA documentation.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, food safety, and process efficiency.
Take part in training programs to stay current on quality procedures, regulatory changes, and best practices.
Demonstrate flexibility by supporting additional shifts when needed to cover team members' time off.
Essential Skills
1-2 years of experience in food manufacturing or quality assurance.
Knowledge of HACCP principles, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and food safety regulations.
Ability to perform quality control testing and inspections on raw materials, in-process products, and finished goods.
Experience working with quality assurance and quality control processes in a food manufacturing environment.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate records.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and basic data entry for recording and analyzing quality data.
Comfort working in cold, wet, or noisy environments and standing for extended periods.
Ability to follow written procedures, regulatory guidelines, and company policies related to food safety and quality.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Associate or bachelor's degree in food science, biology, or a related field preferred.
Experience applying cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) in a production or laboratory setting.
Familiarity with environmental and product sampling for microbiological and chemical testing.
Experience supporting internal audits and external inspections in a regulated environment.
Interest in learning and growing within the quality function; willingness to engage in ongoing training.
Motivation to contribute to continuous improvement in quality and food safety processes.
Work Environment
This role is based in a food manufacturing facility that produces chocolate and other ingredients used in well-known products. The position follows 12-hour block schedules on 1st or 2nd shift, typically working 2 days on and 2 days off, with core hours of either 6:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. The successful candidate must be flexible and willing to pick up additional shifts when covering for team members on time off. Training takes place on first shift, generally from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the first 4-6 weeks. Approximately half of each shift is spent in the laboratory testing products, using equipment such as scales, thermometers, and pH meters, and performing data entry on computers. The other half of the shift involves retrieving samples from the production floor and performing line checks, which requires regular movement through cold, wet, or noisy areas and standing for extended periods. The environment is fast paced and team oriented, with a strong focus on food safety, quality, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices. The organization is willing to train eager and motivated individuals who are committed to learning the quality process and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Louis, MO.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $24.00/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 Saint Louis,MO.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 7, 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.
