Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Food Lab Technician

🎯 Role Definition

As a Food Lab Technician, you will be the backbone of our quality and innovation efforts. You are a hands-on scientist, responsible for conducting critical analytical, microbiological, and sensory tests on our ingredients and finished products. This role is pivotal in upholding our brand's commitment to excellence, ensuring every item that leaves our facility meets the highest standards of safety and quality. You will collaborate closely with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Production, providing the data-driven insights that guide our product development and continuous improvement initiatives. This role requires a proactive problem-solver who is passionate about food science and eager to contribute to a dynamic and fast-paced laboratory environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Lab Assistant / Laboratory Intern
Quality Control Inspector
Recent Graduate (Food Science, Chemistry, Biology)

Advancement To:

Senior Food Lab Technician
R&D Scientist or Food Scientist
Laboratory Supervisor or Manager
Quality Assurance Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Quality Assurance Auditor
Product Development Technologist
Sensory Scientist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform a wide range of analytical and chemical tests on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products to ensure they meet specifications.
Conduct routine and complex microbiological testing, including total plate counts, yeast and mold analysis, pathogen screening, and environmental monitoring.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a variety of laboratory instruments, such as HPLC, GC, spectrophotometers, pH meters, moisture analyzers, and texture analyzers.
Accurately record, analyze, and interpret all test results, meticulously documenting findings in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other digital/physical logbooks.
Ensure all laboratory activities and documentation are in strict compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP principles.
Investigate and document out-of-specification (OOS) results, initiating non-conformance reports and collaborating with cross-functional teams on root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Prepare, standardize, and manage chemical solutions, reagents, and microbiological media required for daily testing protocols.
Perform physical testing on food products, evaluating attributes like viscosity, brix, water activity, color, and particle size distribution.
Maintain a clean, safe, and highly organized laboratory environment, adhering to all company safety protocols and procedures for chemical handling and waste disposal.
Assist in the development, validation, and implementation of new test methods and laboratory procedures to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Prepare and organize samples for sensory evaluation panels, assist in conducting taste tests, and compile feedback for the R&D team.
Support product development and R&D projects by preparing benchtop formulations, running pilot plant trials, and testing new ingredients.
Conduct comprehensive shelf-life and stability studies on new and existing products, monitoring for physical, chemical, and microbial changes over time.
Calibrate and perform daily performance verifications on laboratory equipment to ensure consistent and reliable measurement.
Communicate test results, quality trends, and critical findings clearly and effectively to Quality Assurance, Production, and R&D stakeholders.
Execute the facility's environmental monitoring program, including ATP swabbing and allergen testing on food contact surfaces.
Maintain and manage the inventory of all laboratory supplies, chemicals, and consumables, placing orders to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Participate actively in internal and third-party audits by preparing necessary documentation and speaking to laboratory processes and controls.
Collect and process samples from various stages of the production process according to established sampling plans.
Provide technical support to the production team to troubleshoot quality-related issues on the manufacturing floor.

Secondary Functions

Assist in training new technicians and team members on laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and equipment operation.
Maintain and organize the retain sample library for finished products and raw materials.
Contribute to continuous improvement projects aimed at enhancing lab efficiency, safety, and data integrity.
Support the sensory program by screening panelists and maintaining the sensory lab environment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with wet chemistry techniques, including titration, extractions, and dilutions.
Experience with microbiological testing methods such as plating, PCR, and pathogen detection.
Strong working knowledge of food safety principles including GMP, HACCP, GLP, and SQF/BRC standards.
Hands-on experience operating and calibrating standard laboratory equipment (e.g., pH meter, refractometer, moisture analyzer, viscometer).
Competency in using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) for data entry and analysis.
Understanding of aseptic sampling and testing techniques to prevent cross-contamination.
Knowledge of analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC, or FTIR is a significant plus.
Ability to perform sensory evaluations and physical property testing (texture, color, viscosity).
Experience in preparing chemical reagents and microbiological media.
Meticulous and accurate data recording and documentation skills.
Familiarity with environmental monitoring programs and swabbing techniques.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Proactive mindset with strong time management and multitasking capabilities.
Adaptability to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
A strong commitment to safety and quality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree in a science-related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science
Chemistry
Biology / Microbiology
Biochemistry

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of hands-on experience in a food quality, R&D, or analytical laboratory setting.

Preferred: Experience in a CPG or food manufacturing environment is highly desirable. Candidates with relevant academic lab experience will also be considered.