Quality Assurance Laboratory Manager

About the Role

The Missouri Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division has a full-time, benefited position in the Bureau of Feed & Seed located in Jefferson City, Missouri. The Feed Control Laboratory maintains ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. This professional administrative position in the Feed Control Laboratory is responsible for quality assurance, quality control, and documentation activities for the laboratory. This position will maintain a detailed quality assurance plan, document control system, and regulatory compliance as part of the laboratory accreditation process.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and maintain the overall planning, coordination, and administration of the laboratory quality management system and ensure that it complies with ISO/IEC 17025 International Standard
• Set goals for improvement to the system
• Provide interpretation of the ISO/IEC International Standard to laboratory personnel
• Schedule and conduct audits of the laboratory quality management system and test method procedures
• Write, review, and approve standardized quality policies and procedures
• Assist in implementation of new testing procedures and ensure all criteria are met during method verification/validation
• Ensure that all laboratory personnel have demonstrated their ability to perform the analysis to which they are assigned
• Assist in the selection and training of laboratory staff
• Make appropriate recommendations for corrective actions as well as continual improvements
• Monitor quality control activities to determine conformance with policy and procedures
• Maintain the document control system through tracking, revisions, and distribution
• Evaluate data quality and maintain records, control charts, calibration records, and other relevant performance information
• Direct or assist administrative personnel in policy development, program planning, and coordination
• Ensure all data reported by the laboratory meets the required quality assurance and regulatory criteria
• Work with advisory groups to maintain and improve the quality of laboratory services
• Participate in conferences, training sessions, and meetings
• Support audits performed by external entities by providing records and documents for review
• Travel up to 5% of the time including overnight stays
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Six (6) or more years prior experience working in a laboratory environment
• Post-secondary degree with emphasis in Agriculture, Animal Science and/or Nutrition, Biology, Chemistry, or closely related fields will count toward experience
• Valid MO Driver's License
• Prior experience working ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation or similar quality management systems is strongly preferred
• Prior training and experience performing internal audits is strongly preferred
• Training and/or experience with document control is strongly preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Excel, Word, and other software applications in the performance of duties
• Ability to work independently, identify tasks, standardize procedures, and provide feedback to the laboratory
• Ability to travel to meetings and trainings requiring overnight stays
• Ability to develop an AOAC Testing method verification plan, coordinate with laboratory staff to perform verification, and write final summary
• Ability to prioritize work based on the laboratory's strategic goals
• Ability to represent the laboratory at national organization meetings
• Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant

Benefits

• 3 weeks paid vacation AND 3 weeks paid sick leave
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Insurance: health (medical, dental, vision) and free life insurance
• Retirement: including an employer match on savings plan
• Up to 6 weeks paid parental leave for birth or adoption
• And several additional resources including the SELF program (formerly EAP), discount websites, and healthy living incentives