Quality Assurance Laboratory Lead

About the role

The Quality Assurance Laboratory Lead is responsible for ensuring that food safety and quality standards are maintained. This role involves overseeing the product testing conducted by the Quality Assurance Lab and the creation and distribution of Certificates of Analysis for outgoing shipments.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with quality requirements related to certifications, customer, state, and federal standards.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures and Good Manufacturing & Laboratory practices, programs, and policies.
• Create and distribute Certificates of Analysis for outgoing shipments.
• Perform data entry, record review, and record-keeping duties as required.
• Conduct daily testing of products to ensure parameters meet current specifications, including routine chemical analysis on raw materials and finished products such as pH, moisture, salt, and fat testing.
• Assist with product sampling, inspection, testing, and other duties to support the site's hold and release program.
• Provide feedback to managers and the production team regarding quality-related discrepancies, violations, or issues that need resolution.
• Assist in shelf life study programs by reviewing samples and providing detailed reports.
• Oversee the laboratory proficiency testing program to ensure compliance with laboratory and department SOPs.
• Support Quality Management during facility visits, audits, and inspections.
• Retrieve documentation and records during the audit process.
• Engage site employees in Good Manufacturing Practices to educate and improve compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
• Basic laboratory skills.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to review Certificates of Analysis and ensure they meet specifications.
• Interest in a career in food quality assurance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing or quality assurance is a plus.
• Proficiency in Excel, including formulas, v-lookups, and pivot tables; VBA coding is advantageous.
• Ability to work independently and problem-solve.
• Desire to grow and develop a career in food quality.

Work Environment

This position is based in a food cheese processing plant, working within the quality office/lab. The standard hours are Monday to Friday, from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with occasional Saturday hours to check lab test results. The work environment promotes growth from within, as evidenced by the career progression of current staff members.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $22.00/hr.

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with occasional Saturday hours to check lab test results.