Lab Manager

About the role

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed. As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together. In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

Lactalis US Yogurt, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Lab Supervisor based in Brattleboro, VT. The Lab Supervisor will be responsible for all plant laboratory operations and ensuring compliance with company and regulatory standards. This role will direct staff activities, guarantee timely and accurate testing to support production, and provide strategic leadership for quality control. Responsibilities will include managing analytical procedures for products, raw materials, and packaging to ensure safety and conformity. This role will ensure the lab operates effectively to meet both scientific and business needs while adhering to regulatory requirements and internal policies. The role will report to the Manager, Quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction, leadership, and development for direct reports, including training, coaching, performance management, and handling employee relations issues.
• Oversee all plant laboratory operations, including equipment, testing, and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and protocols.
• Manage lab Key Performance Indicator (KPI) files, performance tracking, internal audits, and reporting (daily, monthly, quarterly, annual).
• Handle equipment qualification, calibration, maintenance, repairs, and purchasing of lab supplies.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, training programs, and documentation for lab staff.
• Lead investigations of abnormal or out-of-spec results and collaborate on troubleshooting with the central lab.
• Manage lab budget, capital expenditures, and vendor relationships to ensure service quality.
• Ensure proper execution of shelf-life programs and support food safety audits.
• Define sampling plans for raw materials, packaging, and finished products; validate processes and provide QC data.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory standards and ensure all quality instruments are calibrated and functioning.

Qualifications

Education

• An associate’s degree is required. A bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Majors in Business, Food Science, Engineering or related fields are preferred.

Experience

• 3+ years of experience leading, mentoring, and/or delegating work to others in a manufacturing facility is required.
• 5+ years of experience in a lab setting is required, dairy industry preferred.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing principles, GMPs, and quality control regulations.

Work Conditions

• Travel may be required occasionally.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project's needs.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer will be provided.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.

Benefits

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement.