Lab Technician

Hiring a Lab Technician for a great food lab in Stockton, CA!! Must have similar experience and looking for long term growth within a company and team.

Swing shift - 3 pm to 11:30 pm, flexible to weekends if needed. Very team oriented environment.

Mid shift - 10 am to 6:30 pm M-F with open to weekends if needed.

Job Description

The Laboratory Technician plays a key role in supporting snack processing operations by conducting chemical and physical analyses and providing technical support to leadership. This position is based in Stockton, California and focuses on ensuring product quality, food safety, and consistent processing conditions within a dynamic, plant-based food environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform a full range of laboratory analyses related to snack processing, demonstrating strong technical competency and accuracy.
• Maintain familiarity with all laboratory equipment, chemicals, and reagents, and use them safely and effectively.
• Collect, prepare, label, and organize raw material and product samples for analysis in accordance with established procedures.
• Inspect and sample raw materials for each lot prior to processing, ensuring materials meet quality specifications.
• Conduct allergen inspections of equipment in the assigned area after cleanup and changeovers to prevent cross-contamination at start-up, and document findings on checklists for the HACCP Manager.
• Organize daily work, schedule and conduct analyses, and ensure all testing is completed on time with clear, professional reporting.
• Perform necessary calculations, organize test data, and enter results into SPC charts and graphs to build a data set that supports operational decision-making.
• Interpret laboratory data, understand how data is generated, and provide timely feedback on snack processing conditions to supervisors and other team members.
• Make informed decisions regarding products that are out of specification, determine when additional sampling is needed, and recommend product holds to the Laboratory / Quality Services Manager when appropriate.
• Monitor inventory levels of laboratory supplies, raw materials, and finished goods, and report status to the Laboratory / Quality Services Manager and/or Snack Processing Supervisor.
• Maintain a clean, neat, and organized laboratory and work area to support efficient and safe operations.
• Ensure safety when working with chemicals and reagents by following Good Laboratory Practices and all safe work procedures.
• Design and deliver training related to laboratory procedures and quality assurance, demonstrating leadership in implementing QA-related training programs for the facility.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support laboratory, quality, and production objectives.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with laboratory operations and quality control functions in a food or related manufacturing environment.
• Ability to perform chemical and physical analyses accurately and consistently, following established procedures and Good Laboratory Practices.
• Strong capability to organize work, manage multiple analyses, and meet testing schedules and deadlines.
• Competence in collecting, preparing, and organizing samples for analysis with attention to detail and documentation.
• Ability to interpret laboratory data, understand processing conditions, and communicate findings clearly to management and production teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook for data entry, charting, reporting, and communication.
• Bachelors degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related science discipline.
• Minimum of one year of laboratory work experience and/or experience in a quality-related field.
• Awareness of food safety and allergen control practices, including familiarity with HACCP-related documentation and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to collaborate with quality, laboratory, and production personnel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a food processing, snack manufacturing, or plant-based product environment is beneficial.
• Experience in applying Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in a production or laboratory setting.
• Understanding of statistical process control (SPC) and experience creating and interpreting charts and graphs for process monitoring.
• Ability to take initiative in monitoring inventory, identifying needs, and supporting continuous improvement in laboratory operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting results, preparing reports, and delivering training.
• Leadership potential demonstrated through the ability to design and implement quality assurance training programs.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on accuracy, safety, and compliance with quality standards.
• Comfort working with food-related allergens and implementing controls to prevent cross-contamination.

Work Environment

This role is based in a laboratory setting within a snack processing facility in Stockton, California. The Laboratory Technician works closely with production and quality teams in a plant environment focused on nuts and other plant-based snack products. The position involves regular use of laboratory instruments, chemicals, and reagents, as well as computer systems and software such as Excel, Word, and Outlook for data analysis and reporting. Work is performed on-site, with an emphasis on Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, and food safety standards including allergen control and HACCP-related procedures. The environment requires adherence to safety protocols, cleanliness, and organization, and may involve standing for extended periods and moving between the lab and production areas. Pre-employment drug testing and BG checks are part of the hiring process. The organization follows equal employment opportunity principles and promotes a professional, collaborative culture that supports growth in the plant-based food sector.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Stockton, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $28.00/hr.

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.

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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Stockton, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 24, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Stockton,CA.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.