Analytical Chemist

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a detail-oriented Analytical Chemist to join a growing laboratory team supporting food safety, quality, and product innovation initiatives. This position offers the opportunity to work with advanced analytical instrumentation, complex food matrices, and a collaborative cross-functional team in a quality-driven environment. The ideal candidate enjoys hands-on laboratory work, scientific problem-solving, and generating accurate, defensible analytical data.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform sample preparation, extraction, digestion, and analytical testing on routine and complex food samples.
• Operate and maintain advanced instrumentation including: HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS, Additional mass spectrometry platforms.
• Execute validated analytical methods following industry standards such as AOAC, USP, and AACC.
• Analyze and interpret data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with quality requirements.
• Utilize laboratory software systems, including LabSolutions, for data collection, processing, reporting, and record management.
• Troubleshoot analytical methods, instrumentation, and sample preparation procedures to resolve technical issues and improve performance.
• Perform routine instrument maintenance, calibration, and preventative maintenance activities.
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation, equipment logs, quality records, and testing records.
• Support laboratory operations across multiple testing areas and provide flexibility to assist team members as needed.
• Partner with Quality, IT, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service teams to support business objectives and client needs.
• Participate in investigations involving out-of-specification (OOS) results, root cause analyses, and corrective actions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on laboratory efficiency, data quality, compliance, customer satisfaction, and cost reduction.
• Follow all laboratory safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized work environment.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 quality standards and internal laboratory procedures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Food Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• Hands-on experience operating analytical instrumentation in a laboratory environment.
• Experience with chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques such as HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and/or ICP-MS.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret complex data and communicate findings effectively.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced laboratory setting.

Preferred:

• Experience within the food testing, food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or related regulated industry.
• Familiarity with ISO 17025 requirements and quality systems.
• Experience conducting OOS investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action activities.
• Knowledge of AOAC, USP, and AACC testing methodologies.

Keywords: Analytical Chemist, HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS, Mass Spectrometry, Food Testing, Analytical Chemistry, Laboratory Testing, ISO 17025, AOAC, USP, AACC, Quality Control, Food Safety, Method Development, Troubleshooting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kansas City, MO.

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $42.00/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 Kansas City,MO.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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.