Product Testing Technician - Animal Nutrition

Job Description

The Technician will support both the Sensory and Product Experience function and the Technical Applications Group. This hands-on role involves sample collection and preparation, sensory test setup, basic physical testing, and maintaining work areas across consumer sensory and analytical environments. The position requires strong communication skills, the ability to follow detailed protocols, and comfort working with pet food, including cat litter and soiled samples. The Technician will interact with consumers and employees from different teams in a collaborative, team-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare pet food, litter, and soiled litter samples for consumer and sensory testing according to study protocols.
• Record, label, and store incoming product samples appropriately.
• Prepare sample cups and serving supplies for sensory panels and consumer studies.
• Serve sensory panels following detailed serving instructions.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment, including storage areas.
• Comply with standard operating procedures, methods, and policies.
• Assist in packaging and shipping products for external tests or clients.
• Support external consumer study preparation and execution.
• Conduct physical preparation and analysis of material samples.
• Apply appropriate sample reduction techniques to ensure representative test portions.
• Assist with litter sample preparation for sensory and consumer testing under guidance.
• Maintain accurate records of sample handling and processing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid Driver's License and Proof of Insurance.
• Reliable and consistent transportation for occasional off-site testing approximately 6 miles from the office.
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods as needed.
• Comfortable working with pet care products, including soiled litter and pet food samples.
• Comfortable interacting professionally with a variety of people, including consumers and employees from different teams.
• Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with standard operating procedures (SOPs), methods, and policies.
• Experience with animal handling, animal science, veterinary, or animal health is beneficial.
• Customer service skills.

Work Environment

The position is onsite with working hours from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Tuesday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, totaling 35-40 hours a week. Occasional offsite panels are located approximately less than 5 miles from the headquarters.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Joseph, MO.

The pay range for this position is $17.00 - $19.74/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 Saint Joseph,MO.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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 the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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

Salary : $17 - $20