Manager QA/QC Lab - Ethanol Plant

About the role

As a Manager QA/QC Lab, you will manage the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program and fermentation for the ethanol plant to ensure maximum production quantity and quality, while supporting policies, goals and objectives of the company.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and implement plant QA/QC program based on best practice in the ethanol industry.
• Implement and maintain plant feed safety program based on industry standards.
• Monitor use and inventories of laboratory chemicals and supplies. Initiate re-ordering when necessary.
• Oversee the maintenance and calibration schedule for laboratory equipment.
• Prepare reports, analyze data and make recommendations for improving operation or solving process related problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to sample various points in the process and conduct QA/QC tests as required.
• Supervise QA/QC laboratory technicians.
• Ensure laboratory technicians knowledge and skills in key areas, safe work policies and practices via training, mentoring and lab qualification process (Renewables Lab Qualification program).
• Communicate regularly with all laboratory technicians, both individually and as a group, to ensure consistent implementation of the program.
• Absorb and assist with hiring of laboratory personnel.
• Conduct employee performance reviews based on job descriptions to determine competency, knowledge and contribution of the laboratory technicians.
• Maintain and update operating and training manuals for the QA/QC laboratory.
• Manage plant fermentation performance.
• Lead optimization and troubleshooting of fermentation and other process areas as it relates to fermentation.
• Implement fermentation best practices.
• Oversee fermentation related plant trials and supports other process enhancement opportunities as it relates to fermentation.
• Communicate effectively the evaluation of fermentation data with site management team and fleet resources.
• Monitor plant QA/QC parameters.
• Review plant operations. Monitor production and quality, anticipate and solve problems in a timely manner, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Initiate and carry out projects that improve efficiency and/or reduce operating costs.
• Maintain adequate records on a daily, weekly and monthly basis of key QA/QC variables.
• Maintain safety, health and environmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure city, county, state, and federal regulations relating to the QA/QC laboratory are met at all times.
• Direct, maintain, and enforce the safety program for the QA/QC laboratory; review safety records to uphold standards of maximum safety for all laboratory technicians.
• Cook up and coordinate activities with other departments.
• Implement programs and procedures required to ensure laboratory and plant cleanliness.

Requirements

• Able and willing to work on-site and in-person, required.
• Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a related scientific or technical field required.
• Minimum of ten years of experience in a QA/QC laboratory required.
• Experience with implementing effective QA/QC programs required.
• Knowledge of mashing, fermentation, and distillation as they relate to the ethanol production process required.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in a dry-mill ethanol plant preferred.
• Experience with software programs such as Office, LIMS, SAP preferred.
• Experience with environmental testing preferred.
• Experience with local, state, and federal regulators/regulations preferred.