Lab Tech - Product Development (6mo Part-time)

The Vita Coco Company • New York, NY

5d • $20 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

Vita Coco is hiring a Lab Tech to support Product Development and Quality in its New York City lab. This hands-on role helps move beverage ideas from concept to sample by preparing bench-top prototypes, conducting routine tests, supporting sensory evaluations and shelf-life studies, coordinating sample shipments, and keeping the lab organized and efficient. The position reports to the Director, Product Development and is based in-office in New York. The assignment is six months, with work scheduled three days per week for about 20 hours per week.

The ideal candidate is a recent graduate or final-year student in food science or a related discipline who is detail-oriented, dependable, and interested in learning how beverages are developed and commercialized.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Nutrition, or a related field; recent graduates and final-year students are eligible.
• Up to two years of lab experience; coursework, research, and internships count.
• Familiarity with basic laboratory techniques and measurement accuracy.
• Comfort using Excel or Google Sheets for data tracking.
• Availability to work on-site in NYC three days per week for the full six-month assignment.
• Strong organization and attention to detail.
• Dependability, punctuality, and comfort working independently.
• Curiosity, eagerness to learn, and willingness to take a hands-on approach.
• Strong communication and a collaborative mindset.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to sensory evaluation, GMP, HACCP, or food safety.

Responsibilities

• Prepare bench-top samples and prototypes, accurately weighing and measuring ingredients and recording formulas and findings.
• Run routine tests, including pH, Brix, acidity, and color, and accurately log results.
• Set up and support sensory tastings and internal cuttings, and organize feedback for the team.
• Support trials and commercialization activities by preparing ingredients, placing purchase orders, ordering supplies, and coordinating documentation.
• Pull, test, and track shelf-life and stability samples on schedule, including sensory evaluation and analytical testing.
• Coordinate internal and external sample requests and confirm labels, specifications, and supporting documentation are complete before shipment.
• Support quality checks on incoming ingredients, finished goods, and market samples.
• Maintain lab records, specifications, and test logs, and flag out-of-spec results to Product Development and Quality teams.
• Follow lab SOPs, GMP, and food-safety practices.
• Maintain the lab, inventory, documentation, and shipment management.
• Support equipment upkeep and calibration, and assist with maintaining and updating SOPs.

Benefits

• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package.
• Medical, financial, and/or other benefits may be provided, depending on the level and position offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level