Quality Lab Manager

Overview

Under the direction of the Site QA Manager/Associate Director – Manufacturing - Quality, the Quality Laboratory Manager is responsible for implementing, managing, monitoring and maintaining the plant’s Microbiology & Analytical programs and corresponding equipment to ensure compliance to regulatory, federal, and local laws. The Quality Laboratory Manager will manage a team of microbiological technicians, lab analysts and analytical technicians to support a 24/7 operation that runs up to 365 days a year.

This role will actively participate and support all internal and external auditing activities (FSSC/ISO, KHMS and HACCP).

• Directs, trains, mentors, and leads the site Quality Laboratory team to ensure program goals are met. Monitors and maintains the plant laboratory compliance to KHMS and International Audit (FSSC/ISO) standards.
• Leads the implementation and on-going compliance of the KHMS (Kraft Heinz Management System) associated with laboratory requirements.
• Responsible for the coordination, scheduling, and tasking of Microbiological and Analytical laboratory duties to hourly direct reports to ensure that the Quality Laboratory department is meeting all requirements and supporting the plant.
• Accountable for the Laboratory Safety, Health and Environmental systems and operational standards to ensure compliance as outlined in our policies/procedures and processes.
• Lead Quality and Production teams in handling any Microbiological and Analytical issues at the plant.
• Support all internal and external inspections/regulatory visits. Support audit preparation activities, accompany inspectors, and complete necessary reports and postings. Perform follow-ups to non-conformances and provide responses as appropriate.
• Ensure all SOPs and Work Instructions are maintained and updated/approved as required.
• Ensure that all necessary supplies and consumable inventory and ordering are completed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Partner with 3rd party vendors and internal resources to ensure all equipment is maintained and calibrated according to specifications.
• Coordinate Microbiological & Analytical support/resources for commercialization projects/trials.
• Manage the scheduling, collection, and communication of the Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM) results to Quality, Operations and Sanitation teams.
• Direct the Microbiological & Analytical testing for finished product, raw material and in-process production using accepted laboratory testing methodology and environmental/sanitation indicators using accepted laboratory testing methodology.
• Responsible to ensure results are recorded in appropriate bookkeeping format and analyzing results to determine proper action to be taken for correction.
• Compile, analyze, and disseminate data for periodic reports such as daily, weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc reports.
• Proficiency in utilizing plant and laboratory systems and databases, while identifying areas improvement and data digitization.
• Must perform specific research and development trials for new product Methodology or techniques.
• Must be continually updating technical knowledge.
• Must perform any other duties assigned by management.

• Degree in a scientific field such as Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering preferred.
• Experience as a Quality/Microbiological Laboratory Manager and/or technical leadership role.
• Must be able to flex work hours and weekends as needed to support business needs. Prompt and regular attendance.
• Strong leadership, technical, communication and organizational skills required along with attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge of Analytical/Quality/Micro systems, procedures, and policies helpful. Handle multiple assignments, develop work plans, and prioritize.
• Knowledge of statistical processes.
• Detailed-oriented.
• Effective communication skills (oral written and verbal).
• Planning and organizing skills.
• Successful candidates must possess a positive focus toward solutions with emphasis on preventative proactive measures and team-building.

This position is considered a Manufacturing plant environment with heavy machinery and…