Quality Assurance Lead - Dairy Manufacturing

Description

Looking for a job that can grow into a lifelong career?
At Lactalis USA, we believe in promoting from within and giving our employees meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or bringing years of experience, we’ll provide the tools and support you need to succeed.

Lactalis is the world leader in dairy—a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Every day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together every day.

In the US, we offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Break stone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with sour cream and a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—
Ambition
, Engagement
, and Simplicity
. We’re building a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY
, and how your EXPERTISE can help us make an impact.

Lactalis US Yogurt, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Quality Assurance Lab Lead based in Casa Grande, Arizona.

The Quality Assurance Lab Lead supports laboratory operations, quality testing, and continuous improvement initiatives under the direction of the Quality Assurance Supervisor. This role provides hands‑on lab support, coaches lab technicians, and ensure adherence to quality and food safety standards.

The Quality Assurance Lead starts at $26.50/ hour, plus shift differentials. This is a full‑time opportunity on 3rd Shift (10:00 PM to 06:30 AM) Monday through Friday.

• 401K match up to 7% annually.
• Referral bonus programs ($750‑1500)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision
• FSA & HSA programs
• Education Assistance Program
• Paid time off includes 7 core holidays, 2 floating holidays, 2 volunteer days, and prorated vacation time up to 15 days
• Premium pay (overtime) when working on Sundays and core holidays
• And much more

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Assist in developing, documenting, and training on quality control testing procedures and SOPs.
• Support daily lab maintenance, including equipment, supplies, and work areas.
• Provide guidance and positive leadership to lab technicians.
• Troubleshoot basic non‑critical issues and propose practical solutions.
• Perform physical and chemical testing on raw materials and finished products.
• Manage hold/release/rejection processes for finished goods.
• Maintain accurate documentation and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate clearly with lab staff and help resolve minor conflicts.

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Experience in laboratory practices; leadership experience preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and knowledge of food safety (HACCP) & quality systems (SQF).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

• Strong communication and comprehension skills.
• Basic math proficiency
• Ability to interpret written, oral, and diagram instructions and solve variable problems
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and leadership capabilities
• Ability to work professionally and cooperatively in a team environment
• Regular standing, walking, reaching, and manual dexterity required.
• Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and crawling
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and maintain a keen sense of taste and smell.
• Close‑vision capability require.

The above job description is intended to describe the duties of an employee in general terms and does not necessarily describe all the duties.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement.

Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally‑recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.