Quality Lab Technician

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Lab Technician to join our team in Hendersonville, NC. This role is essential in ensuring that our beverages—including juices, teas, waters, and concentrates—meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, and customer satisfaction throughout the manufacturing process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct standardized analytical tests on juice, drinks, waters, teas, and concentrates, including pH, TA, vitamin C, °Brix, color, clarity, and turbidity, to ensure compliance with specifications; record results as applicable.
• Use sensory analysis (flavor, odor, visual) to ensure that products meet specific characteristics at blending and finished good sections, along with any other necessary testing needs that may arise.
• Support bulk and raw material sampling, testing, and release as needed, including sensory, pH, viscosity, Brix, and acid testing.
• Perform pre-operational verifications and line clearance at the start of the shift and at flavor/label changes.
• Carry out and document hourly quality line checks including analytical, labeling, and packaging.
• Accurately maintain records and document testing information and results in real time in compliance with procedures and regulations.
• Identify and communicate issues regarding aseptic production matters.
• Define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Document and provide support for investigations pertaining to quality issues requiring resolution, including OOS, NCR, and Deviations.
• Support product and package analysis on the Aseptic Line and ensure the department meets required quality standards.
• Execute routine laboratory work and microbial testing of finished goods, bulk, and raw materials for compliance with identified organisms of interest under FDA, SQF, and other relevant regulations.
• Respond to Food Safety and Quality incidents, review and verify Critical Control Points, and execute the environmental monitoring program.
• Assist in sampling and placing items on QA hold both physically and electronically in QAD, evaluating and managing holds for proper disposition.
• In coordination with the Quality Assurance and/or Production Manager, discard or reject materials not meeting specifications or other requirements.
• Assist in performing calibration and logging results of all lab and floor instrumentation when requested.
• Provide additional QA presence, problem-solving, and special project management (e.g., rework operations, downtime activities, etc.).
• Make observations and corrections related to SQF, GMP, regulatory, quality, sanitation, and employee safety concerns.
• Participate in employee training programs.
• Follow safe work practices and proactively implement safety and housekeeping improvements.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• 1 to 3 years’ relevant experience in a laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.
• Ability to learn analytical and lab-related responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to direct, coach, and train others.
• Computer literacy.
• Detail-oriented and able to multi-task.
• Three months of manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge in food safety, QC testing, microbiology, HACCP, chemistry, viscosity, food science, biology, food quality, QC, batch record, food manufacturing, quality inspection, and quality assurance.

• Experience in the food/beverage industry or GMP environment.
• Experience with microbiology lab techniques.
• Credibility and integrity.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Associate’s degree or higher in general science, food science, microbiology, or a related field.
• Experience in food and beverage manufacturing, preferably with beverages.
• Quality testing experience for pH, Acidity, Brix, and Turbidity.
• Experience working cross-functionally and closely with operators.

This position will be on the manufacturing floor, working hand in hand with the production operators. You will be conducting sampling and testing on the manufacturing floor rather than in a lab most of the time. The work environment is a very clean food supplier facility. We value a strong team culture with numerous social and community activities, including holiday-themed events, summer picnics, and employee assistance programs. Career development opportunities such as service awards, spot awards, and safety milestone celebrations are also available.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Hendersonville, NC.

The pay range for this position is $56160.00 - $58240.00/yr.

Social
• Holiday Themed Events
• Summer Picnic
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Community
• Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
• Social Responsibility Programs
• Annual Company Sponsored Events
• Veterans Day Celebrations
• Food & Clothing DrivesCareer
• Service Awards
• Spot Awards
• Safety Milestone Celebrations
• JUICED – Individual Development Plans For Every Employee
• Lunch & Learn Workshops
• Onboarding Program for all New Hires
• Monthly Town Hall Meetings
• 90 Day, Mid Year and Annual Performance ReviewCommunity
• Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
• Social Responsibility Programs
• Annual Company Sponsored Events
• Veterans Day Celebrations
• Food & Clothing Drives

This is a fully onsite position in Hendersonville,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 10, 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.