About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

---

Role Overview

Confidential Client is hiring a Chemistry Analyst to join an onsite pet‑food quality control (QC) laboratory in Thompsons Station, TN. This is a contract opportunity focused on analytical testing of raw materials, premixes, developmental samples, and finished product to support shelf‑life, nutritional, and stability testing.

---

What You’ll Do

• Run routine and non‑routine analytical tests on pet food samples using chromatography and wet chemistry methods.
• Operate and maintain instruments such as HPLC, GC, ICP (including ICP‑MS/ICP‑OES), Leco protein analyzers, fat extractors, auto titrators, TGA, and mass spectrometers.
• Prepare samples and receive prepared samples from production/support teams for analysis.
• Record, interpret, and report analytical results; flag out‑of‑spec or trending issues to supervisors.
• Follow established SOPs, perform routine instrument maintenance and QC checks, and participate in lab safety practices.
• Support mixer studies, pre‑blend and premix testing, and developmental product analyses as requested.

---

Key Responsibilities

• Perform chromatography (HPLC/GC) and wet chemistry assays to measure vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, moisture, and other nutritional parameters.
• Execute ICP/ICP‑MS testing for elemental analysis.
• Maintain accurate lab records, prepare technical reports, and enter data into LIMS or other tracking systems.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation issues within scope and escalate when needed.
• Work under established procedures with limited autonomy; follow quality and safety protocols.

---

Required Skills & Tools

• Strong practical experience with HPLC and GC.
• Hands‑on experience with ICP / ICP‑MS preferred.
• Familiarity with wet chemistry techniques for food analysis.
• Competence with lab equipment operation, routine maintenance, and documentation.
• Attention to detail and adherence to lab safety and QA procedures.
• Ability to work onsite full time, reliably, in Thompsons Station, TN.

---

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with LC‑MS/MS, ICP‑OES, or GC‑FID is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Analytical Chemistry, or related natural science preferred but candidates with relevant lab experience (including biology backgrounds) will be considered.
• Prior experience in food or pet food QC laboratories is advantageous.

---

Experience Level & Assignment Context

• Intermediate / entry‑to‑intermediate assignment level: role requires basic to moderate autonomous execution of standard lab procedures, with opportunities to increase responsibility.
• Assignment family: R&D / Laboratory Services focusing on analytical chemistry to support product quality, consumer safety, and process efficiency.

---

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay rate: $26.50 per hour.
  • Individual compensation within this range will depend on qualifications, relevant experience, and other job‑related factors.
• If eligible, temporary assignment benefits may include: medical, dental & vision; 401(k) plan; voluntary life/AD&D; short/long‑term disability; HSA; transportation benefits; Employee Assistance Program; and paid time off—subject to program terms and eligibility.

---

Location & Workplace

• Workplace type: Fully onsite in Thompsons Station, TN (37179).
• This is a contract position. Candidates must be able to commute and work on site as required.

---

Compliance & Accommodations

• Confidential Client and Careertakes comply with applicable federal, state, and local hiring laws. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities; please contact Careertakes if you need an accommodation during the application process.

---

Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.