Quality Lab Specialist - 1st Shift

Job Title: Quality Laboratory Specialist Job Description
The Quality Laboratory Specialist supports quality assurance and quality control activities within a manufacturing environment. This role performs physical, chemical, and analytical testing on raw materials, in-process batches, compounded products, and finished goods to ensure they meet established specifications and quality standards. The specialist serves as a key laboratory resource, providing technical support to manufacturing operations, maintaining accurate documentation, and helping ensure product quality throughout the production process. This position offers the opportunity to operate as the sole laboratory professional on site, with strong potential for growth and development.
Responsibilities
- Perform physical, chemical, and analytical testing on raw materials, in-process batches, compounded products, and finished goods using established laboratory methods and procedures.
- Conduct quality inspections and testing, including measurements such as pH, viscosity, specific gravity, appearance, concentration, and other product-specific characteristics.
- Evaluate test results, identify trends or out-of-specification conditions, and support the implementation of corrective actions when quality concerns arise.
- Perform incoming raw material inspections and release testing to verify compliance with specifications before materials are used in production.
- Support manufacturing operations by providing quality guidance, troubleshooting product and process issues, and assisting with quality-related investigations.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records, certificates of analysis, testing reports, and other quality documentation in accordance with internal procedures and regulatory expectations.
- Operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment to ensure reliable and consistent test results.
- Manage laboratory chemical inventory and ensure compliance with storage, labeling, and shelf-life requirements.
- Assist with nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities, internal audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate material holds and communicate quality concerns to appropriate stakeholders to prevent the release or shipment of nonconforming products.
- Prepare customer, production, and sales support samples as needed to support business and operational requirements.
- Follow all safety, quality, and regulatory requirements while maintaining a clean, organized, and compliant laboratory environment.
Essential Skills
- 3+ years of laboratory, quality control, or quality assurance experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience performing analytical testing, quality inspections, and maintaining laboratory documentation.
- Knowledge of quality systems, nonconformance investigations, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Hands-on experience with laboratory chemistry and biochemistry techniques.
- Experience working with quality control and quality assurance processes in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their application in a laboratory and production environment.
- Ability to operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment, including analytical instruments such as HPLC or similar technologies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret test data and identify trends or issues.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks independently.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting results and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
- Ability to work independently as the primary laboratory resource on site while supporting a broader manufacturing team.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Associate degree in Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Laboratory Science, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- Experience with HPLC and other analytical chemistry techniques.
- Experience supporting CAPA activities, internal audits, and continuous improvement projects.
- Familiarity with laboratory chemical inventory management and shelf-life control.
- Comfort working in both laboratory and manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing production needs.
- Interest in professional growth and development within a quality and laboratory-focused career path.
Work Environment
The role operates in both laboratory and manufacturing settings with regular exposure to industrial chemicals, laboratory equipment, and production processes. The position requires the ability to stand, walk, and perform routine laboratory activities for extended periods. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and provided, and adherence to safety procedures is essential. The environment emphasizes cleanliness, organization, and compliance with safety and quality standards. Work hours follow a standard schedule, with occasional overtime or weekend work that may be required based on production needs. As the sole laboratory specialist on site, the role offers a high level of ownership and responsibility within a collaborative manufacturing operation.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Huntington, IN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00/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 Huntington, IN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 27, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Huntington,IN. 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.