Quality Assurance Specialist @ Actalent

Job Title: Quality Assurance SpecialistJob DescriptionThe Quality Assurance Specialist supports a growing food color manufacturing facility and laboratory by leading safe, compliant, and efficient quality control operations. This role oversees laboratory activities, ensures adherence to quality and food safety management systems, and drives continuous improvement through proactive problem-solving and collaboration with production and cross-functional teams. The position offers advancement opportunities within a rapidly expanding natural colors business that is responding to strong market demand for natural products and fewer synthetic ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate safety leadership by actively supporting and participating in safety programs and consistently modeling safe behaviors within the QC laboratory.
• Ensure all laboratory operations comply with company health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Verify that technicians within the Quality Team receive adequate training for the duties they perform and maintain appropriate competency levels.
• Ensure all laboratory equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, and functioning according to established requirements and schedules.
• Conduct shelf life studies as needed to support product quality and stability assessments.
• Create, review, and update laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) to reflect current practices and regulatory requirements.
• Order laboratory supplies, manage inventory levels, and handle the generation and receipt of purchase orders to ensure uninterrupted lab operations.
• Generate and complete Shelf Life Extension Authorization Forms and Product Information Update Forms in accordance with company procedures.
• Ensure sampling and testing of all raw materials are completed accurately and on time, in line with established requirements and specifications.
• Troubleshoot formula and production issues in partnership with production teams when product parameters do not meet specifications, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary backup for other Laboratory Technicians during their absence, ensuring continuity of laboratory operations.
• Assist with investigations arising from complaints, audits, and internal preventive actions, and support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions to promote continuous improvement.
• Participate as an active member of the HACCP Team, contributing to hazard analysis and critical control point management.
• Support audit preparation activities, including documentation review, data organization, and readiness of laboratory records and systems.
• Contribute to the maintenance and improvement of quality control, quality assurance, and food safety management systems, including compliance with standards such as BRC and SQF.

Essential Skills

• Experience in quality assurance or quality control within a laboratory, food, or related manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory operations, including chemistry, biology, and microbiology testing methods.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques used in quality and food safety testing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage lab activities, including equipment calibration, maintenance, and documentation.
• Experience with ERP systems or similar databases for managing data, inventory, and documentation.
• Strong understanding of quality and food safety management systems and procedures, including HACCP, BRC, and SQF frameworks.
• Ability to troubleshoot formula and production issues when products do not meet specifications.
• Competence in preparing for and supporting internal and external audits.
• Strong organizational skills for managing SOPs, forms, and laboratory documentation.
• Effective communication skills to train technicians, collaborate with production, and participate on cross-functional teams such as HACCP.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in sampling, testing, documentation, and reporting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelors degree in a scientific discipline such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, or a related field.
• HACCP certification.
• Certified Internal Auditor for Food Safety Systems.
• Experience with lab management responsibilities, including inventory control and purchase order processing.
• Familiarity with audit preparation and working within certified quality and food safety schemes such as BRC or SQF.
• Interest in or experience with natural food colorants, food ingredients, or related products.
• Ability to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within quality and food safety programs.

Work EnvironmentThe role is based in a food color manufacturing facility and laboratory environment, operating on a first-shift schedule. You will work with laboratory instruments, analytical testing equipment, and digital systems such as ERP or similar databases. The setting emphasizes strict adherence to health, safety, environmental, and food safety standards, including HACCP and recognized quality schemes. The facility supports a growing natural colors business, offering opportunities to work with innovative products designed to meet demand for more natural ingredients. The work involves collaboration with production and quality teams in both lab and plant areas, following appropriate laboratory and manufacturing attire and hygiene practices consistent with food manufacturing operations.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Port Washington, WI.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $66550.00 - $72800.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. This is a direct placement opportunity. The benefits will be provided upon start of assignment or earlier if requested by candidate

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Port Washington,WI.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 [email protected] 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.