Quality Lab Tech Nights - Rochester, MN

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

Our Rochester, MN location is part of our Applied Health and Nutrition Division and specializes in fermented ingredients for products related to the bio-science industry.  Our team is proud of the work they do and have a focus on clean label or natural products ensuring freshness.

2402 7th Street NW Rochester, MN 55901

$20-24 +$2 night shift differential

Shift/Working Hours: 2-2-3, rotating shift working every other weekend, 12 hours shifts from 5 PM-5:30 AM.

What you'll do:

The Quality Lab Tech (Analytical) supports site Quality & Food Safety through routine analytical laboratory testing, accurate documentation, and timely communication of results. This role is also responsible for key on-floor verification activities that protect food safety and enable timely release, including sanitation verification swabbing, CCP verification checks, label verification, and initiating/maintaining product holds when quality is in question. The position works cross-functionally with Production, Sanitation, Warehouse, and Quality to ensure results are completed accurately, issues are escalated promptly, and records are audit-ready. 

Key responsibilities

1. Maintains knowledge of relevant procedures of inspection and testing of Analytical, Microbiology, Sample and Bread testing laboratories. Works towards continuous improvements within the labs, trending and identifying actions for Out-Of-Specification reduction.
2. Ensures that products and QC practices are in compliance with Kerry standards and local, state and federal regulations, as well as customer requirements.
3. Gives input and assists in the development of QC procedures, policies and philosophies.
4. Involved in all aspects of third-party manufacturing product planning, testing, and releasing.
5. Quality Inspection
6. Perform routine factory-based food safety and quality standards inspections and audits including (but not an exhaustive list): Fabrication inspections, GMP, Hygiene Verification audits, Foreign body inspections, layered confirmation audits, logging all non-conformances.
7. Provide guidance, education and support to the department being audited to enable them to self-inspect and ensure they understand the standards required.
8. Involved in Quality Programs related to GMP’s, CCP’s, Allergen Control program, Sanitation Excellence, and all other relevant Quality & Food Safety programs.
9. Releases
10. Working cross functionally to ensure the prompt release of all finished products and raw materials. Ensures releases are on time and communicates with supply chain on the movements of end dates.

Qualifications and skills

EDUCATION:

- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Food Science, or a related scientific field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered based on role requirements.

EXPERIENCE:

- 0–2 years laboratory or manufacturing quality experience acceptable.

- 2–5 years’ experience in an analytical, manufacturing QC, or food laboratory environment preferred.

- Experience with laboratory instruments, sanitation verification activities (e.g., ATP/micro swabs), and working to production-driven timelines preferred.

Compensation Data

The pay range for this position is $20.00 to $24.00 - per hour.  Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role.  Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.  The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.  Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement.  This job posting is anticipated to expire on 12/2026.

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.