Analytical Chemist 2

Job Title: Analytical Chemist II

Job Description

The Analytical Chemist II plays a key role in ensuring that raw materials, bulk products, and finished goods meet all customer and regulatory analytical requirements. This salaried position is part of the quality team and focuses on method validation, data integrity, and compliance within a cGMP laboratory environment. The role supports the growth and success of customers by delivering accurate, timely, and compliant analytical testing for cosmetic and household products.

Responsibilities

• Validate laboratory procedures, processes, test methods, chemical assays, and equipment used to detect and identify active ingredients to ensure compliance with customer and regulatory guidelines.
• Develop, validate, and optimize analytical test methods to ensure compliant methods are used for testing controlled articles, including raw materials, bulk, and filled product.
• Calibrate, monitor, and maintain analytical test equipment such as HPLC and GC systems to ensure reliable performance and accurate results.
• Accurately record all data and pertinent information in accordance with cGMP requirements, maintaining complete and traceable documentation.
• Create monthly Key Quality Indicators (KQI) promptly and accurately to support quality monitoring and continuous improvement efforts.
• Conduct batch record reviews to determine compliance with cGMP practices and identify any deviations or gaps.
• Document out-of-specification (OOS) situations, determine root causes, and propose potential corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Lead OOS investigations, review findings, and approve analytical data package reports (ADPRs) for filled product and stability studies.
• Ensure analytical specifications are met for all tested materials and that results are documented, maintained, and communicated to meet customer expectations.
• Report test results and manage the accurate and timely release or transition of quarantined raw materials, bulk product, and finished products based on analytical findings.
• Troubleshoot out-of-specification results and analytical issues, providing technical guidance and solutions to restore compliance.
• Ensure Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) are followed and that all activities comply with applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Maintain laboratory notebooks in a complete, accurate, and up-to-date manner to support traceability and audit readiness.
• Participate in internal and external audits, providing documentation, explanations, and support for laboratory and quality activities.
• Institutionalize 5S practices (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) in all aspects of the department to promote organization, efficiency, and safety.
• Serve as a technical resource within the lab, providing mentorship, training, work review, troubleshooting support, and QC assistance to other chemists.
• Collaborate closely with Analytical Chemists I & II and QC Chemists in a team-based environment to meet production and quality goals.
• Adapt to changing priorities and workloads while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• 2+ years of industry analytical chemistry experience, including hands-on work with HPLC, GC, and USP methods.
• 2+ years of experience with analytical method development or optimization.
• Working knowledge of Empower software for chromatographic data acquisition and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in a cGMP laboratory environment, including adherence to cGMP documentation and data integrity standards.
• Strong analytical chemistry skills, including wet chemistry techniques and quantitative analysis.
• Proficiency in gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
• Experience with method development and method validation protocols in a QC or analytical setting.
• Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot analytical and equipment-related issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with experience guiding and supporting junior team members.
• Dependable work habits and a commitment to maintaining quality and safety standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous method validation experience is a plus.
• Experience with QC laboratory operations and batch record review.
• Familiarity with GLP and regulatory guidelines relevant to cosmetic and household product testing.
• Experience documenting and investigating OOS results and implementing CAPA.
• Comfort working with fragrances and aromatic compounds in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to use stairways and move comfortably within a production laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated adaptability to changing priorities and workloads.
• Interest in career growth into Analytical Chemist and other leadership roles.
• Experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional quality and production environment.

Work Environment

This is an on-site role based at a production laboratory facility in Eden Prairie. The position operates in an indoor laboratory setting within a manufacturing environment that produces cosmetic and household products for a wide range of customers, from large enterprises to emerging brands. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday on first shift, with start times generally between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. You will work closely with Analytical Chemists and QC Chemists in a collaborative team setting and serve as a technical resource within the lab, providing mentorship, training, and troubleshooting support. The environment is high-volume and fast-paced, requiring strong attention to detail, adherence to quality and safety standards, and comfort with changing priorities and workloads. Physical conditions include the ability to use stairways and work in proximity to fragrances and aromatic compounds, occasionally at elevated levels. The culture emphasizes growth, continuous improvement, and 5S practices, with clear opportunities for advancement into sr. and leadership roles as the team and capacity expand.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Minnetonka, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $39.00 - $43.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Minnetonka,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 5, 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.