Lab Technician

Job Title: Lab Technician Job Description
The Lab Technician supports a busy quality-focused laboratory by maintaining a clean, organized, and compliant environment while handling samples, operating and maintaining equipment, and assisting with testing activities. This role plays a key part in ensuring that raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products meet quality and safety standards by following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The position also contributes to pilot production and scale-up projects, providing hands-on support and data collection to help drive continuous improvement and innovation.
Responsibilities
- Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, and day-to-day upkeep across development, pilot, and storage areas to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
- Ensure the laboratory complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), consistently following established Test Methods and documentation requirements.
- Accurately document all laboratory activities in laboratory notebooks and approved forms, ensuring legible, GMP-compliant handwriting and complete records.
- Manage ingredients and laboratory supply inventory, including requesting raw materials, ordering supplies, and maintaining accurate inventory of raw materials, samples, and lab consumables.
- Organize and maintain storage for reagents, raw materials, samples, finished products, packaging components, and retain samples to ensure proper identification and traceability.
- Perform routine setup, verification, calibration, operation, disassembly, cleaning, and sanitization of laboratory equipment and glassware to ensure reliable and accurate testing.
- Coordinate samples for internal and external analysis, including preparing, packaging, and shipping samples to third-party laboratories as needed.
- Coordinate outside service for equipment maintenance and calibration, ensuring equipment remains in good working condition and properly documented.
- Support pilot production and scale-up activities by observing processes, collecting samples, performing basic sample testing, recording data, and completing other assigned tasks.
- Assist with miscellaneous laboratory activities such as sample shipment, physical testing, chemical testing, organoleptic testing (e.g., taste, appearance, odor), data collection, and batch manufacture support.
- Properly dispose of chemicals and waste materials in accordance with procedures, completing all necessary forms and documentation as applicable.
- Look for innovative and time-saving ideas to improve laboratory functionality, workflow efficiency, and time management.
- Understand and adhere to all safety protocols, including stopping unsafe acts, following facility safety rules and procedures, correcting or reporting safety hazards, and actively supporting safety policies and programs.
- Handle sample receiving, sorting, and processing in a timely and accurate manner, meeting required turnaround times for testing and analysis.
- Perform basic laboratory tests such as pH and water activity measurements, and, depending on training and experience, operate instrumentation such as ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) equipment.
- Collaborate with the quality and laboratory team to support ongoing projects, R&D activities, and continuous improvement efforts as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support laboratory operations and quality objectives.
Essential Skills
- High school diploma required.
- Degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related scientific field preferred.
- Experience working in a laboratory or environmental testing setting is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and ability to adhere to safety protocols.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to perform accurate documentation and data recording.
- Good, legible handwriting suitable for GMP documentation and laboratory records.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently while staying engaged and productive.
- Curious mindset with a willingness to ask questions and learn new methods and equipment.
- Good problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot basic laboratory issues.
- Computer proficiency with working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Ability to lift, push, and pull 2550 pounds to handle equipment, samples, and supplies.
- Comfort working in a medium-paced laboratory environment with defined turnaround times for samples.
- Willingness and ability to commit to a temporary 36 month contract assignment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Prior experience in quality control, chemistry, or QC laboratory work is beneficial.
- Familiarity with physical, chemical, and organoleptic testing (e.g., taste, appearance, odor) is an advantage.
- Experience with pH and water activity testing and operation of ICP or similar analytical instrumentation is a plus.
- Comfort working with dietary supplement powders, tablets, and packaging components in a regulated environment.
- Interest in supporting pilot production and scale-up activities, including sample collection and data collection.
- Ability to identify and propose process improvements to enhance laboratory efficiency and organization.
- Strong communication skills to work effectively with quality, R&D, and production teams.
- Adaptability to support various laboratory tasks as business needs evolve, including sample shipping and coordination with external labs.
Work Environment
This role is based in a quality control laboratory within a manufacturing environment that produces powder dietary supplements, dietary tablets, and related packaged products for retail and online markets. The Lab Technician reports within the quality control structure and collaborates closely with the QC team and other departments. The position follows a Monday through Friday schedule, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the option to start earlier at 7:00 a.m. or 7:30 a.m., but not later, due to sample timing requirements. This is a temporary 36 month contract position, and candidates must be comfortable working for the full duration of the assignment. The lab operates at a medium pace and is held to specific turnaround times for sample processing and testing, making accurate and timely handling of samples critical. Work involves regular use of laboratory equipment and glassware, including instruments for pH and water activity testing and ICP equipment, as well as frequent handling of reagents, raw materials, and finished product samples. The environment emphasizes strict adherence to GMP and safety protocols, including proper chemical handling and disposal. The role requires the physical ability to lift, push, and pull 2550 pounds. The culture prioritizes investment in modern facilities, R&D, and continuous improvement, offering exposure to growing quality and R&D functions and the opportunity to contribute to enhanced efficiency and product quality.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $26.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Minneapolis,MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026. 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):
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including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
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