Food Science Technicians

food realistic interests test result quality control beverage product information quality of materials chemical property processing document

Central Laboratory Technician (CLT), Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), QC Tech (Quality Control Technician), Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)

What they do:
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
On the job, you would:
  • Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
  • Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
  • Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • food production
  • manufacture and distribution of products

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Math and Science

  • chemistry
  • biology

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems

Math

  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Independence
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Analytical Thinking

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Microsoft SQL Server Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Electronic mail software

  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
associate's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about food science technicians.