Lab QC Supervisor

At Lhoist North America, our core values of Respect, Courage, and Integrity guide everything we do. We invest in talent by offering meaningful opportunities to grow your skills, expand your knowledge, and pursue your interests in a safe, collaborative, and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Supervision of Quality Department/Laboratory
  • Direct supervision and direction of laboratory staff in daily workload and task assignment.
  • Ensure work schedules and timekeeping are accurately maintained.
  • Supervise projects and special analysis as assigned.
  • Conduct preventive maintenance, repairs, and calibrations on laboratory equipment as required.
• Quality Control Testing
  • Maintain and oversee systems to accurately sample, measure, and document chemical and physical properties of raw, in-process, and finished products following established laboratory guidelines.
  • Effectively communicate analysis results.
  • Interpret what is normal and acceptable product quality; recognize when results deviate from these levels.
  • Determine quality disposition of product as needed for out-of-spec and returned material.
  • Work with mining, production, and sales on quality issues.
  • Respond to customer complaints concerning technical data.
• Training and Development
  • Assist laboratory technicians in understanding test procedures, data entry, and reporting requirements.
  • Develop, train, and mentor laboratory technicians to improve competency, efficiency, and value to LNA.
  • Train technicians (and others as required) on laboratory-specific safety and health hazards and their mitigation (e.g., chemicals, acid/base reactivity).
• Reports, Record Keeping and Compliance
  • Maintain accurate inventory of all operating supplies and consumables.
  • Provide leadership in compliance with company policies and standards on Safety, Health, and Environment.
• Customer Interaction
  • Communicate with customers regarding product quality.
  • Issue Certificates of Analysis as requested by customers in a timely fashion.
• ISO 9001 Compliance
  • Maintain and improve the existing Quality Management System to ensure continued certification.
  • Lead an effective internal audit program.
  • Participate in internal contract reviews as the facility’s designated Quality Representative.
  • Participate in management review activities, ensuring proper documentation is maintained per standard requirements.
  • Maintain an effective document control program.
• Chemical Safety Reporting (Safety Data Sheets)
  • Maintain the system for chemical safety communications for the facility.
  • Lead internal audits to ensure continued compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Attributes

• Good leader or supervisor experience is highly desired.
• Must be capable of working any shift, on-call, overtime, or seven days a week, rotating shifts, if required.
• Leadership: demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others.
• Must be able to improve working conditions (safety, quality, productivity, cost) and increase subordinates’ skills and capabilities.
• Must improve and maintain a system of quality control, standard operating procedures, safety, and performance management.
• Working knowledge of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System and its requirements.
• Must serve as designated management representative for ISO registered system, including maintaining internal audit schedules and certified auditor lists.
• Serve as lead for ISO internal audits and train (or approve training) for internal auditors.
• Schedule and facilitate Management Reviews.
• Maintain Document Control System.
• General ISO system registration requirement coordination.
• Ability to plan and direct the work of laboratory personnel; train and develop an effective workforce; administer corrective action.
• Self-starter with the ability to multi-task and meet all required deadlines; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, including application of basic statistical methods.
• Good public speaking skills.
• Good team-building and people skills.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Capable of working in a dynamic workplace.
• Lab instruments maintenance knowledge.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks/projects and meet all required deadlines.
• Strong sense of urgency in meeting customer needs.
• Good understanding of environmental and safety requirements; desire to follow all established procedures.
• Must have good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Previous SAP knowledge is a plus.

Physical Demands

• Tolerate working outside in severe weather conditions and exposure to industrial high temperature, noise, and dust.
• Access all areas within a site, including heights up to 120 feet, confined spaces, climbing ladders or stairs, and accessing tunnels.
• Work in both lab and mining process environments.
• Exposure to extreme heat and cold, noise, vibration, oils, and atmospheric conditions such as dust, fumes, and metallic particles.
• Perform actions including standing, walking, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, talking, seeing, hearing, and sitting.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds.

Required Education

High School Diploma or GED. AA degree in Chemistry, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, or technical-related field, or equivalent work experience in the field is desired.

Preferred Education

BS Degree in Chemistry, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, or related field.

Required Work Experience

Minimum of 2–5 years of previous project leader or supervisory-quality or laboratory experience in a heavy, fast-paced manufacturing, construction, and/or mining/mineral processing environment.

Preferred Experience

Previous Leadperson, Team Lead, Operator, Sr. QC Technician experience. Previous mining/mineral processing experience with a good understanding of quality processes or similar manufacturing operation is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a generous Employer Match and Supplemental Contribution based on Years of Service.
• Educational assistance to support continued learning and professional development.