Quality Control Analyst

About the role

This role is within our Red Star Yeast team. Red Star delivers a range of high-performing yeast and related products that empower bakers and food manufacturers to create consistent, flavorful, and high-quality baked goods. Backed by Lesaffre and Archer Daniels Midland and supported by modern manufacturing facilities in Cedar Rapids, IA and Dothan, AL, our team blends global expertise with local reliability to bring trusted, innovative yeast solutions to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

What you bring to the table

As the Quality Control Analyst you'll be well versed in analytical methods for yeast and yeast derived products, managing and reporting on projects and lab initiatives, and assisting QC management in the administration of the analytical laboratory. You'll perform testing functions for troubleshooting and training purposes. You'll also solve problems and deal with quality control issues as they occur, making recommendations for immediate corrective action when necessary to ensure optimum product quality by performing the following duties.

What you'll do as a Quality Control Analyst

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety-first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs
• Assists in coordination of the workload in lab including stability, raw materials, finished product, and special requests
• Assists in coordinating and delegating laboratory testing by setting priorities based on the needs of operations
• Assists in training and coordinating the activities of other technicians as assigned
• Revises and creates SOPs as needed
• Tests materials as assigned by priority using analytical instrumentation such as pH meter, Risograph, Nitrogen Analyzer, HPLC, ICP-OES, auto titrators, balances, etc.
• Records and evaluates data and documentation for completeness
• Primary resource for lab equipment items, including training, troubleshooting, new instrument implementations, preventative maintenance schedules & vendor management
• Provides guidance, mentoring, and training to laboratory technician team
• Organize and plan studies/projects/new methods, complete required analysis, organize data, complete summary reports
• Performs various housekeeping duties in the lab including disposing of hazardous waste and instrument PM and calibrations
• Complies with safety and GMP requirements
• Perform the necessary functions of the Lab Supervisor as needed
• Interacts with departmental and interdepartmental personnel to solve product issues
• Able to perform all duties of Lab Technicians and can fill in as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or related scientific field
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in an analytical laboratory, preferably in food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or a related GMP-regulated environment
• Experience with laboratory safety protocols is required
• Experience in a chemistry lab is required
• Proven experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting a variety of analytical instruments (e.g., HPLC, ICP-OES, auto-titrators, nitrogen analyzers, pH meters)
• Experience with laboratory quality systems: writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), managing preventative maintenance schedules, and coordinating with equipment vendors
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office applications and familiar with Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS)
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize a dynamic workload, and maintain accurate and timely test results
• Must be able to follow written procedures, be organized, precise, observant, efficient, and capable of working with minimal supervision

Preferred

• History with analytical method development, validation, and implementation within a laboratory environment
• Demonstrated experience in training, mentoring and providing technical guidance to lab staff on methods, instrumentation and procedures

Benefits

• Day one healthcare coverage (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
• 401k with 4% match & additional discretionary employer contribution
• 11 paid holidays
• 80 hours of vacation time and 48 hours of sick time annually
• Life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and more!