Quality Assurance Tech Lead - Forsyth, MO

Position Summary

The Quality Assurance Lead is responsible for coordinating and leading day-to-day quality assurance activities on the production floor while supporting the Quality Assurance Supervisor in maintaining compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements. This role acts as a working lead, providing guidance to QA team members, supporting inspections and audits, performing in-process testing, maintaining in-process equipment, and ensuring quality expectations are consistently met.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for QA activities during assigned shifts

• Provide day-to-day direction, training, and mentorship to Quality Assurance team members

• Ensure QA coverage and task completion in accordance with priorities set by the QA Supervisor

• Assist in onboarding and training of new Quality Assurance personnel

• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

Quality Assurance Operations

• Perform and oversee inspections, audits, and quality checks of materials, processes, and finished product

• Ensure adherence to quality procedures, work instructions, and specifications

• Review, document, and escalate nonconforming material and quality concerns

• Support containment, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

• Conduct in-process tablet testing in accordance with approved test methods and specifications

• Perform routine maintenance, cleaning, calibration checks, and basic troubleshooting of in-process equipment to ensure proper operation and data integrity

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate quality records and reports

• Verify documentation is completed correctly and in compliance with internal and external requirements

• Absorb and respond to audit preparation and responses

• Support compliance with applicable quality standards (e.g., GMP, FDA, customer requirements)

• Document in-process testing results and equipment maintenance logs in accordance with data integrity requirements

Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicate quality expectations and issues clearly to production and operations teams

• Work closely with Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues

• Escalate recurring or significant quality risks to the QA Supervisor in a timely manner

• Support customer complaints and investigations as assigned

• Collaborate with Technical and Maintenance teams when in-process testing equipment requires repairs or calibration beyond routine maintenance

Continuous Improvement

• Identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for quality improvement

• Assist in developing and implementing process improvements

• Encourage adherence to best practices and standardized processes

• Recommend improvements to in-process testing procedures and in-process equipment maintenance practices

Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED

• A minimum of 2-5 years ADM manufacturing experience or prior Quality Assurance experience

• Prior lead or senior QA experience preferred

• Working knowledge of quality systems, inspections, and nonconformance processes

• Basic understanding of root cause analysis and CAPA

• Proficiency with basic computer applications and quality documentation systems

• Basic understanding of in-process testing methods and safe operation of in-process equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing or regulated environment

• Exposure to GMP, FDA, or other quality standards

• Internal audit experience

• Strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Experience with in-process instrumentation or routine in-process equipment maintenance

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the production environment

• Use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls

• Talk or hear

• Ability to reach with hands and arms

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and move up to 250 pounds using a pallet jack

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• Flexibility to work varying schedules or overtime as needed

• Use of PPE required

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail

• Leadership and teamwork

• Decision-making and accountability

• Effective communication

• Time management

• Continuous improvement mindset

• Technical accuracy in in-process testing and equipment care