Food Research Development Jobs in Pawtucket, RI (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Food Quality Assurance Technologist

Job Description

This position is for a food technologist role on the 3rd shift, working 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM, Monday through Friday, with rotating Saturdays as needed

This role focuses on developing and improving food products while ensuring they meet strict quality, safety, and regulatory standards within a manufacturing environment. You will support product development, conduct comprehensive testing, maintain detailed documentation, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to bring innovative, high-quality food products from concept to full-scale production.

Responsibilities

• Develop new food products and enhance existing formulations using sound food science principles.
• Apply food science concepts to support formulation, innovation, and product optimization initiatives.
• Conduct physical, chemical, and sensory analysis of products to ensure quality and consistency.
• Perform shelf-life studies and stability testing to evaluate product performance over time.
• Analyze test data and provide clear recommendations on product improvements and next steps.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and organized product development records and laboratory documentation.
• Create and update product specifications and technical documentation in alignment with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare product samples for customer presentations, internal reviews, and trade shows.
• Collaborate with sales teams to understand and meet customer requirements related to cost, ingredients, and functionality.
• Support technologists during scale-up activities, including pilot plant runs and full plant trials.
• Source and evaluate new ingredients and flavor profiles to support product innovation and optimization.
• Review and approve raw material documentation and assess ingredient performance in formulations.
• Assist with productivity initiatives and process improvements within the product development and manufacturing processes.
• Support the scale-up of products from lab development to full manufacturing, ensuring smooth transitions from pilot to plant.
• Apply quality assurance techniques, including batch record review, CAPA, and deviation investigations within a food manufacturing environment.
• Ensure adherence to GMP and HACCP principles in all development, testing, and documentation activities.
• Manage multiple projects and shifting priorities effectively while meeting deadlines and quality standards.
• Communicate findings, issues, and recommendations clearly with cross-functional teams and leadership.

Essential Skills

• Approximately 2+ years of experience in food research and development or product development.
• 1–4 years of industry experience in a food manufacturing environment with hands-on quality assurance responsibilities.
• Proven experience with quality assurance techniques, including batch record review, CAPA, and deviation investigations within food manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Strong knowledge of food formulation and product development processes.
• Understanding of GMP and HACCP principles and their application in a food manufacturing setting.
• Experience conducting shelf-life studies and sensory evaluation of food products.
• Ability to perform food quality testing, including physical and chemical measurements such as viscosity.
• Proficiency in maintaining detailed and organized documentation for product development and quality activities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities effectively.
• High level of attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to spend 7–8 hours on feet or in a walking capacity and occasionally exert up to 10 lbs. of force.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• PCQI certification (required).
• HACCP certification (required).
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Comfort performing inspection tasks and repetitive motions using wrists, hands, and fingers.
• Ability to communicate detailed instructions and ideas clearly in a production and laboratory setting.
• Average visual acuity sufficient to prepare or inspect documents and products and operate equipment.
• Interest in gaining experience and advancing within a leading food manufacturing organization.
• Motivation to support continuous improvement and productivity initiatives.

Work Environment

This position is for a food technologist role on the 3rd shift, working 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM, Monday through Friday, with rotating Saturdays as needed. A shift differential applies once in a full-time capacity. The work takes place in a food manufacturing facility that includes hot areas (around 80°F), cold environments such as freezers and walk-in coolers, and dry, dusty, or damp work areas. The role involves frequent use of fingers and hands for tasks such as typing, handling small objects, and operating equipment, as well as repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and fingers. You will need average visual abilities to prepare or inspect documents and products and to operate machinery safely. The position requires the ability to hear and communicate clearly to convey detailed instructions and receive information in a production environment. Physical demands include spending most of the shift on your feet or walking and occasionally lifting or exerting up to 10 lbs. This opportunity offers exposure to a dynamic food manufacturing setting that prioritizes growth, advancement, and professional development for individuals eager to build their careers in food quality and product development.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Brockton, MA.

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $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)

This is a fully onsite position in Brockton,MA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.