Actalent
Job Description
As a Lab Technician, you will be responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of dairy products through meticulous testing and analysis. You will play a crucial role in maintaining high standards in pasteurization, homogenization, and microbial contamination prevention.
Responsibilities
Test all pasteurized milk for proper pasteurization and homogenization.
Perform temperature checks on all pasteurized and raw milk storage tanks.
Test empty product containers for microbial contamination.
Aseptically plate in-process and packaged samples for microbial contamination.
Perform finished product testing on daily start up and changeovers, assessing chemical and physical properties as well as organoleptic testing.
Monitor in-process culture tanks, sampling at designated intervals to check temperature and pH levels.
Monitor temperature recording charts.
Organize and rotate all lab samples daily.
Assist with daily cleaning and maintenance of all laboratory equipment.
Perform daily cleaning tasks in the laboratory.
Prepare all necessary lab reagents needed throughout the shift.
Clean and autoclave all glassware and reusable testing equipment.
Collect chemical samples from the production floor to test for proper concentration.
Report any process deviations or product deficiencies to the Quality Assurance Supervisor.
Autoclave necessary laboratory and plant equipment.
Perform instrument calibrations.
Assist with our internal auditing program.
Enter the production floor to pull random samples from filler lines periodically throughout the shift.
Conduct end of code testing, including taste testing products that are stress tested.
Essential Skills
Experience in plating, aseptic technique, and plate analysis.
Knowledge in Quality Control and Quality Assurance.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, or another scientific related field is highly preferred.
High School Diploma is required.
Work Environment You will work in a lab within a dairy manufacturing facility, interacting with various dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese. The production floor can be warm and loud, with slippery conditions. The role requires working independently within a small team. Work hours are from 6:00am to 4:00pm, Friday through Sunday, with flexible additional hours if full-time work is desired. The dress code includes khakis or navy work pants, a plain polo or t-shirt, and safety‑toed shoes, with a uniform provided by Aramark. This is a 7‑month contract‑to‑hire position.
Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.
Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $18.00/hr.
Benefits 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 Fully onsite position in Des Moines, IA.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2025.
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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
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 due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
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Responsibilities
Test all pasteurized milk for proper pasteurization and homogenization.
Perform temperature checks on all pasteurized and raw milk storage tanks.
Test empty product containers for microbial contamination.
Aseptically plate in-process and packaged samples for microbial contamination.
Perform finished product testing on daily start up and changeovers, assessing chemical and physical properties as well as organoleptic testing.
Monitor in-process culture tanks, sampling at designated intervals to check temperature and pH levels.
Monitor temperature recording charts.
Organize and rotate all lab samples daily.
Assist with daily cleaning and maintenance of all laboratory equipment.
Perform daily cleaning tasks in the laboratory.
Prepare all necessary lab reagents needed throughout the shift.
Clean and autoclave all glassware and reusable testing equipment.
Collect chemical samples from the production floor to test for proper concentration.
Report any process deviations or product deficiencies to the Quality Assurance Supervisor.
Autoclave necessary laboratory and plant equipment.
Perform instrument calibrations.
Assist with our internal auditing program.
Enter the production floor to pull random samples from filler lines periodically throughout the shift.
Conduct end of code testing, including taste testing products that are stress tested.
Essential Skills
Experience in plating, aseptic technique, and plate analysis.
Knowledge in Quality Control and Quality Assurance.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, or another scientific related field is highly preferred.
High School Diploma is required.
Work Environment You will work in a lab within a dairy manufacturing facility, interacting with various dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese. The production floor can be warm and loud, with slippery conditions. The role requires working independently within a small team. Work hours are from 6:00am to 4:00pm, Friday through Sunday, with flexible additional hours if full-time work is desired. The dress code includes khakis or navy work pants, a plain polo or t-shirt, and safety‑toed shoes, with a uniform provided by Aramark. This is a 7‑month contract‑to‑hire position.
Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.
Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $18.00/hr.
Benefits 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 Fully onsite position in Des Moines, IA.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2025.
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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
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 due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
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