Laboratory Supervisor

About Us

Foremost Farms USA is one of the largest, leading dairy cooperatives in the United States and a major dairy food and ingredients manufacturing business. We represent hundreds of Midwest dairy farmer members located in seven Midwest states, and we produce about 500 million pounds of cheese and 50 million pounds of butter in plants across our network every year. "We Bring Dairy to Life" in eight manufacturing plants across Wisconsin and Michigan and in our headquarters in Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin;

and we're looking for employees who are innovative and aim for excellence in our wide variety of production, field and business roles. Join us!

JOB TITLE
:
Laboratory Supervisor
POSITION TYPE
:
Full time
CLASSIFICATION
:
Exempt

Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 6:00PM

The Laboratory Supervisor oversees the day-to-day laboratory operations, including ensuring the accurate and timely testing of raw materials, in-process, and finished products to meet customer and company quality standards. The Laboratory Supervisor ensures compliance with good laboratory practices (GLPs), safety and regulatory requirements while lab activities are performed.

• Oversees test result collection, analysis and reporting of data to appropriate stakeholders.
• Ensures that all testing is performed in a timely manner and with accuracy to support the product's release.
• Maintains lab supply inventory and purchases supplies as needed.
• Maintains documented lab methods for all testing methods used internally and ensures alignment with corporate lab methods.
• Oversees requests for product samples and associated paperwork.
• Coordinates any necessary outside lab testing, reviews internal and third-party lab testing results, analyzes and trends lab data.
• Recommends improvements in lab methods, equipment, quality, and working environments.

Provides supervision under the direction of the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager to laboratory technicians. Serves as back-up support to Quality Control Supervisor and Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager as needed.

• Oversees lab technician scheduling and coordination of activities.
• Responsible for hiring, onboarding, and training lab technicians to ensure consistency and accuracy among results.
• Provides performance feedback to lab technicians regularly and encourages the growth and development of staff via individual development plans.
• Serves as a plant certified industry supervisor for Appendix N bulk local screening program, including ordering testing supplies, maintaining equipment and training intake personnel in proper sampling/testing procedures.
• Collaborates with Quality Control Supervisor to ensure adherence to Environmental Monitoring Program, including but not limited to performing sponging and ATP swabbing as well as leading the investigation and root cause analysis exercises for out of spec results.
• Participates in regulatory, customer, and laboratory audits as needed.

Participates in internal, customer and regulatory agency visits and audits, including accompanying visitors and accommodating their requests.

• Maintains lab equipment, including ensuring calibrations are completed timely, preparing maintenance work orders, and troubleshooting equipment-related issues.
• Works with lab equipment vendors to ensure operational efficiencies are maintained.
• Establishes procedures for developing controls necessary to indicate equipment performance measures.
• Develops validation protocol for any new equipment or new methods being implemented.

• 2-5 years' experience in laboratory in a food manufacturing environment with a strong understanding of GLPs and laboratory safety practices.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work accurately and efficiently.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to successfully interact and communicate with internal cross-functional teams, and all organizational levels.

• Associate degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science or related field of study, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with both microbiological and analytical test…