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Food Lab Tech Jobs in Novato, CA (NOW HIRING)

UPSIDE Foods

Senior Quality Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$102K - $138K/yr

... investment funds, strategic food and agriculture partners, and prominent technology and ... The FSQA team is responsible for analytical labs, maintenance of lab and plant floor equipment and ...

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All JobsFood Lab Tech JobsFood Lab Tech Jobs in Novato, CA

Food Lab Tech information

See Novato, CA salary details

$14

$26

$40

How much do food lab tech jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for food lab tech in Novato, CA is $26.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.44 and $28.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Food Lab Techs?

Food Lab Technicians, or Food Lab Techs, are professionals who assist in the testing and analysis of food products to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with regulations. They typically work in laboratories within food manufacturing companies, government agencies, or research institutions. Their duties include preparing samples, conducting chemical and microbiological tests, recording data, and maintaining laboratory equipment. Food Lab Techs play a crucial role in preventing contamination and ensuring that food products meet industry standards before reaching consumers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Lab Tech, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Lab Tech, you need a solid understanding of food science, laboratory techniques, and quality control, usually supported by a relevant associate or bachelor's degree. Familiarity with analytical instruments such as spectrophotometers, pH meters, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is typically required. Attention to detail, organization, and strong communication skills help ensure accurate data collection and effective teamwork. These skills are crucial for maintaining food safety, ensuring compliance with regulations, and delivering reliable results in a laboratory environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Food Lab Techs when conducting quality control tests?

Food Lab Techs often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to safety and cleanliness protocols while handling perishable samples. They must also ensure precise measurement and documentation, as even minor deviations can affect test results and product quality. Additionally, managing a high volume of samples and meeting tight deadlines can require strong organizational and multitasking skills. Collaboration with other lab staff and departments is essential to resolve discrepancies quickly and maintain consistent standards.

What is the difference between Food Lab Tech vs Food Quality Inspector?

AspectFood Lab TechFood Quality Inspector
CredentialsOften requires a degree in food science, microbiology, or related fieldTypically requires a high school diploma or associate degree, with certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, conducting tests and analyses on food samplesInspection sites, factories, or processing plants, monitoring food production processes
Employer & IndustryFood manufacturing companies, laboratories, research institutionsFood production facilities, regulatory agencies, quality assurance firms

While both roles focus on food safety and quality, Food Lab Techs primarily perform laboratory testing and analysis, whereas Food Quality Inspectors conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards. Both positions are essential for maintaining food safety but differ in their daily tasks and work environments.

What cities near Novato, CA are hiring for Food Lab Tech jobs? Cities near Novato, CA with the most Food Lab Tech job openings:
Food Lab Tech jobs near you

Food Technologist

Jelly Belly Candy Company

Fairfield, CA

Full-time

Posted 3 hours ago

Job description

SUMMARY
Responsible for the development of new products and / or the improvement of existing products to meet strategic business objectives. Assumes a formulation leadership role for a range of food and supplement products to include but not limited to jelly beans, gummies, jellies, mellocremes, chocolates, hard-panned confections, etc. with the work largely conducted independently with minimal supervision, with the status of projects continually being communicated to the department manager.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Organize, communicate, and coordinate information and activities related to various phases of product development from initial bench, plant scale-up testing, to commercial launch, while considering technical issues such as: food safety, food stability, shelf-life, scalability, cost, nutritional and ingredient guidelines, etc.
  • Understand and highlight the cause and effect of product/ingredient/process changes and identify effective solutions.
  • Evaluate and propose alternate ingredients that may be used existing products, which can lead to better processing or cost savings.
  • Basic knowledge of sensory evaluation with ability to recognize and choose among appropriate test methods.
  • Knowledge of ingredient functionality, formulation, and processing and be able to formulate new products based on that knowledge
  • Basic knowledge and/or willingness to learn more related to food and dietary supplements as it relates to product development (i.e. Title 21 CFR 101, 111, and 117).
  • As assigned, assists R amp;D Manger with generating ingredient statements and nutritional and/or supplement information utilizing Genesis R amp;D Food Development amp; Labeling Software for preliminary evaluation.
  • Basic knowledge and/or willingness to learn more related to packaging technologies and their effect on finished goods shelf life and quality.
  • Drafts raw material and finished product specifications for food and/or dietary supplements for review and approval by R amp;D Manager.
  • Self-starter and with ability to work independently to achieve project goals/objections with little to some supervision.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects with overlapping timelines.
  • Work with cross-functional team that includes Marketing, IT, Operations, Purchasing, Accounting/Finance, Engineering, etc.
  • As assigned, provides support to Quality Assurance team to investigate customer complaints and/or product issues.
  • Research current consumer markets and latest technologies to assist in developing or optimizing new and existing products.
  • Builds and maintains solid working relationship with internal and external customers, suppliers, etc.
  • Collect all information to be reviewed and approved by the R amp;D Manager for final publishing onto shared documents such as moldboard weight spreadsheet, curing parameters spreadsheet, etc.
  • Collect and evaluate all Tier 1 and as appropriate any Tier 2 supplier documentation
  • Create reports, and export data for additional finished product or raw material analysis
  • Creates, opens, and closes Material Orders (MO’s) for test(ERP system) for test batches
  • Monitors and supports production staff on first production run, and on subsequent runs as appropriate.
  • Maintains an organized, clean, and safe R amp;D Kitchen/lab.
  • Utilizes M3,and JB Intra to run reports, review formulations, costs, etc.
  • Utilize Optiva to upload new product formulations.
Inherent in each position is a general duty to maintain each respective work area in a safe and sanitary condition. Regular, predictable, full-time attendance is required as an essential function of this position. The employee may be required to perform other such duties within the scope of their employment as may be assigned. The employee must also possess the ability to take direction, follow instructions, work with others, follow work rules and schedules, and focus on details. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, and moderate noise level.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES No supervisory responsibilities exist in this position.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university (preferably in Food Science, Nutrition, or Chemistry), minimum of three to five years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Possess and understanding of statistical analysis, ratios, and conversions from volume to mass and vice versa.
REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, and frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands, and use senses (smell, taste, feel). The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This is NOT a remote position.
**All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.**

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