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Quality Technician I - 1st shift

Synergy Flavors · Wauconda, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you trained someone on a procedure. How did you make sure they really got it?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach others, since this role runs training and a primary program.

Tell me about a quality investigation you started or helped with. How did you find the cause?

What they are checking: Whether they can dig into problems instead of just recording failed results.

What would you do

A finished product sample is slightly out of spec on brix. What do you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they follow investigation steps and escalate rather than retesting until it passes.

Production is waiting on your result to release a batch. How do you handle the pressure?

What they are checking: Whether they protect accuracy when others want speed.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd test an incoming raw material against its specification. What would make you reject it?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to follow SOPs and make clear pass or fail calls.

What tests have you run, like brix, pH, turbidity, density, titration or GC? Pick one and walk me through it.

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on lab skills and understand what the result means for the product.

How do you know your lab equipment is giving you accurate results?

What they are checking: Whether they understand calibration and checks, which the role is responsible for.

How do you take a microbial sample without contaminating it?

What they are checking: Whether they know aseptic sampling, since a bad sample can lead to wrong decisions on food safety.

Sensory evaluation is part of the job. How do you keep your judgment consistent from day to day?

What they are checking: Whether they understand sensory testing needs discipline, references and conditions to be reliable.

How do you keep your records complete enough to pass a food safety audit?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that undocumented testing is treated as testing that never happened.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Synergy Flavors from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Synergy Flavors.

Company Overview Synergy Flavors, part of the Carbery Group, is more than just a leading international supplier of ingredients to the global food and beverage industry—we’re a team driven by purpose. Our vision is simple yet powerful: enriching lives through healthier and tastier foods. We believe great flavor starts with great people. That’s why we’re committed to hiring creative, passionate individuals who want to make a real impact. With deep expertise across food, beverage, and nutrition, our teams develop high-quality taste solutions that inspire innovation and elevate everyday experiences. Your Role in Synergy's Success This person will be responsible for leading a primary program, conducting training, and initiating quality investigations, in addition to calibrating laboratory equipment, microbial/ raw material sampling, and testing of incoming raw materials, intermediates, and finished product samples. How You Will Contribute Primary Responsibilities: • Perform daily testing of all raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. Ensure that the products are tested in accordance with established SOPs and within specifications. • This testing may include: sensory evaluations, RFI, brix, pH, turbidity, GC, particle size analysis, density, manual titration, and other testing as assigned. • Responsible for assuring product conformance to specifications. • Analyze data and generate reports/Certificates of Analysis noting relevant specification information. • Acquire microbial samples while maintaining a sterile/ clean environment throughout the process. • Responsible for sampling of incoming raw materials for analysis. • Responsible for calibrating laboratory equipment. • Ensure laboratory and production records are in compliance. • Prepare samples for contract testing. • Responsible for the organization and storage of Raw Material and Finished Product retains/controls and records. • Maintain a safe, neat, and clean environment to ensure audit readiness. • Demonstrate the ability to work independently and with minimal supervision. • Discern sensory/organoleptic differences between tested raw materials, intermediates, and finished products for flavors and flavor chemicals. Professional Experience/Qualifications: • Experience/certificates in HACCP, FSP, ISO 22000, SQF, BRC, or equivalent Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) criteria preferred. • Experience with QC related instruments such as pH meters, refractometer, densitometer, colorimeter, GC, and auto-titrators preferred. • Experience analyzing and interpreting information/data preferred. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) • Must be able to lift up to 50lbs. Education: • Bachelor of Science in a related field Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or Food Science/Technology and/or Business related; and 0-2+ years of experience or Highschool Diploma with 2-4+ years of Laboratory/Flavor industry experience. Key Proficiencies: • Exhibit professional appearance and demeanor in day-to-day activities and communications. • Demonstrate effective time management and attention to detail in work performed. Starting Hourly Rate : $20.00/HR Monday - Friday 7:30a-4p The actual compensation that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled. For more information on our benefits click here . Department: Quality Location: Wauconda, Illinois Work Arrangement: Onsite Reporting To: Quality Supervisor Our Commitment to our People We are a diverse and growing workforce of over 1,000 people across eight countries globally. As we continue to grow, we want to ensure that Carbery Group continues to be a place where people are supported to develop and feel that they can do their best work. We are committed to driving growth, developing future capability and delivering results through our dedicated teams. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and an inclusive workplace where your skills, perspectives, and experience help shape the future of our industry. Join us and be part of a team that values collaboration and makes a meaningful impact - from local communities to global markets. Carbery Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a supportive work environment.

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