Description
Perform standardized qualitative and quantitative analyses of foods and beverages to determine composition, quality, and safety; interpret data for regulatory compliance; and collaborate with food scientists and QA to support R&D, processing, and packaging decisions.
- • Conduct standardized chemical, physical, and microbiological tests on foods, beverages, ingredients, additives, and preservatives for quality, safety, and compliance.
- • Prepare and process samples; mix or culture reagents and media according to SOPs.
- • Compute moisture, salt, fat, sugar, acidity, nutrient content, and other composition metrics using approved methods.
- • Operate, calibrate, and maintain analytical instruments (e.g., HPLC, GC, spectrophotometer, pH meter, balances).
- • Record and manage data in LIMS; compile results into reports, graphs, charts, and Certificates of Analysis.
- • Analyze and interpret findings versus specifications and standard tables; flag and document out-of-spec results.
- • Screen for contaminants, adulterants, or foreign material; examine samples microscopically as needed.
- • Perform sensory checks (taste, smell, appearance) to confirm products meet specifications.
- • Verify container and packaging attributes by measuring dimensions, weight, seal strength, or torque where applicable.
- • Monitor, control, and document sample and product temperatures and holding times during testing.
- • Maintain compliant records and retain samples to meet FDA/USDA, HACCP, GMP, and GLP requirements.
- • Assist in method development, validation, and technology transfer with food scientists or technologists.
- • Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions for quality deviations or customer complaints.
- • Manage laboratory inventory; order chemicals, standards, and consumables to sustain operations.
- • Train and mentor junior analysts on analytical methods, SOPs, and safety practices.
- • Prepare, plate, or incubate microbial cultures and slides for testing as required.
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Agriculture
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
