Job description template

Food Science Technician Job Description Template

A copy-ready food science technician job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How to use this template

Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows food science technicians earn a median of $52,130 ($25.06/hour); the middle 50% earn $46,020–$63,270.

Job title

Food Science Technician

Job summary

[Company name] is seeking a dependable food science technician to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will sample products and ingredients, run quality and safety tests and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.

Responsibilities

  • Sample products and ingredients
  • Run quality and safety tests
  • Monitor food safety programs
  • Conduct sensory evaluations
  • Help develop products
  • Record and report data
  • Maintain lab equipment
  • Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations

Required qualifications

  • Associate's degree or equivalent training
  • Working knowledge of food chemistry and microbiology
  • Attention to detail and communication
  • [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]

Preferred qualifications

  • HACCP certification
  • PCQI
  • SQF Practitioner
  • Experience with moisture analyzers

Skills

  • HACCP
  • Sensory evaluation
  • Lab testing
  • Documentation
  • Teamwork
  • Reliability

Work environment and schedule

Technicians work in food plant labs, production floors and test kitchens, which can be cold or hot. Plants often run shifts, including early mornings and weekends.

Pay and benefits

$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]

Equal opportunity

[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Tips for a food science technician job posting that attracts applicants

  • Use the title candidates search for. “Food Science Technician” is the clearest; alternates include Food Lab Technician, Quality Assurance Technician (Food), Food Safety Technician.
  • Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
  • Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
  • Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a food science technician so applicants self-select accurately.
  • Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Food Science Technician training: widens your applicant pool.

Next steps

Screen and interview with our Food Science Technician hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.

Team pricing