Lead Quality Technician (SAPB)

About the role

This position assists with day-to-day leadership of all Packaging QA and Packaging Material activities and safety programs at the Samuel Adams Brewery in Breinigsville, PA. The role focuses on lab improvement ventures, providing support and validation to Pack Lab Technicians, and driving problem-solving initiatives and Continuous Improvement with an emphasis on packaging materials.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of the packaging, chemistry, and microbiology labs during the night shift, ensuring adherence to quality standards and protocols.
• Act as the key point of contact for the night shift team, holding members accountable and ensuring smooth workflow.
• Promote a team-oriented and “Safety First” environment to achieve department and brewery goals.
• Escalate production or employee issues to the Manager for action.
• Provide coaching, feedback for reviews, and corrective actions for Technicians.
• Assist in training Technicians on safe and efficient lab equipment operation.
• Notify the Manager of team or individual opportunities.
• Drive collaboration and continuous improvement through positive working relationships.
• Recommend process and equipment improvements.
• Communicate effectively with coworkers via face-to-face interactions, phones, email, and radio.
• Attend meetings and facilitate Root Cause Analyses (RCAs) with Brewing and Packaging as needed.
• Review and update QA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regularly, communicating changes via One-Point Lessons (OPLs).
• Create SOPs for new processes/analysis and collaborate with the Training Department for improvements.
• Observe and practice all Brewery Safety Procedures, including wearing proper PPE.
• Assist with auditing Critical Points (CPs) and Critical Control Points (CCPs) on equipment, tracking audits, and validating processes.
• Follow through on Quality Assurance Reports (QARs) and Defective Product Material Reports (DPMRs), ensuring materials meet specifications.
• Support new product transitions.
• Audit and validate Technicians’ adherence to SOPs, maintaining an updated capability record.
• Support QA in daily activities as needed to cover absences.
• Participate in sensory panels and perform instrument operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Determine if products meet specifications for release or hold.
• Investigate process deviations and assist in developing resolutions.
• Participate in Continuous Improvement projects and recommend process improvements.
• Conduct and document daily and monthly audits regarding Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), enforcing all brewery and food safety standards.
• Develop and maintain a Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) for the lab.
• Manage lab equipment verification and ensure Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) tracking.
• Focus on internal customer satisfaction.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of general work experience in a production facility or lab environment.
• Familiarity with packaging, brewing, and microbiological lab practices.
• Proven mechanical aptitude, demonstrated by work, avocation, or vocation.
• Knowledge of Food Safety, Sanitation, HACCP, and 5S practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GMP through work experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Proficiency with computers and automated equipment to input and understand data.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and QI Analyst.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory and production safety practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a self-directed workforce.
• Proven Continuous Improvement skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and teambuilding skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with all team peers and customers.
• Anticipates and respects the needs and interests of others.
• Listens to others and adapts communication style and content based on audience.
• Uses data and/or reasoning to persuade others.
• Ability to work with all levels of management in multi-functional departments.
• Ability to be flexible and shift priorities in a constantly changing, fast-paced work environment.
• Proven analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Self-starter, proactive with a “get-it-done, can-do” attitude.
• Able to impact and effect positive change with a flexible, open-minded, positive approach.

Desired Experience

• Previous Lead experience.

Working Conditions

• Frequent exposure to production environments with loud and constant noise.
• Non-environmentally conditioned spaces which may lead to extreme hot and cold.
• Complex and densely populated operating environment with production equipment and forklifts, necessitating high situational awareness.
• Work overtime as needed, which may require 12-hour days, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Pass a pre-employment physical exam to comply with role requirements.
• Certain roles may require the use of a respirator and passing the associated fit test.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, sometimes repeatedly.
• Regular walking and standing for long periods of time (up to 11 hours a day) on concrete, metal, and grated surfaces.
• Responsibilities may require crouching, stepping over, crawling under, bending, twisting, climbing, and reaching above head and shoulders repeatedly throughout the day.
• Responsibilities may require climbing flights of stairs, working from heights, or on elevated platforms.
• Ability to wear assigned PPE (safety shoes, gloves, facemask, hearing protection, and hard hat).
• Established dexterity to handle materials, operate equipment, and interface with computer systems with precision.
• Some roles (e.g., forklift operator) may require prolonged sitting and strong peripheral vision and depth perception.

Pay

$30.40 - $34.40 per hour. Starting pay within this range is dependent on related experience, skillset, and location.

Benefits

• Healthcare on day one.
• Stock purchase plan.
• 401k.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Fertility/adoption support.
• Free financial coaching.
• Health & wellness program and discounts.
• Professional development & training.
• Free beer.