Americas Lab Capabilities Lead

About The Role

The Regional Laboratory Capabilities Lead is responsible for driving the strategic vision and overseeing the operational excellence of all laboratory functions across the North America region (Canada, USA, Mexico). The role involves developing and implementing long‑term initiatives to optimize laboratory capabilities, drive process improvements, foster innovation in testing and analysis, and ensure compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, and EHS standards.

• Plan and execute physical audits of internal and external microbiology laboratories in the region according to ISO
  17025, GLP, and internal auditing standards.
• Ensure follow‑up and closure of audit findings through effective CAPA management, consolidate and report audit data, and maintain oversight of the audit program performance.
• Develop and implement the regional laboratory strategy aligned with corporate objectives, driving operational efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement across all laboratory functions.
• Lead initiatives to standardize micro, physical and chemical laboratory processes, optimize workflows and enhance data management systems to ensure consistent and reliable results.
• Ensure all approved laboratories operate in full compliance with industry regulations, safety standards and quality protocols; conduct laboratory audits, global ring tests and performance evaluations.
• Work closely with key stakeholders such as suppliers, customers, Global Quality, R&D, operations and quality assurance teams to integrate laboratory efforts into broader business strategies.
• Build and align training programmes for laboratory personnel; support laboratory managers to maintain high standards of performance, technical expertise and compliance.
• Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and assess lab performance and use data‑driven insights to drive decision‑making.
• Lead regional laboratory projects from conception to implementation, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and timely delivery of results.
• Optimize laboratory resource allocation and budgeting, identifying opportunities for cost savings while maintaining high levels of operational efficiency.
• Oversee implementation of laboratory quality and data management systems such as SAP, QNECT, OPUS NIR, Rheometer, LIMs and APOLLO.
• Act as technical subject‑matter expert for microbiological and analytical testing programmes, laboratory safety and maintenance.
• Understand statistics and lab analytics related terms such as repeatability, reproducibility, measurement uncertainty, variance etc.
• Promote a culture of quality & continuous improvement across laboratories.
• Champion the adoption of new technologies and methodologies, driving laboratory modernization efforts.

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science or equivalent.
• Hands‑on laboratory testing experience.
• Experience in leading and managing food testing laboratories.
• Experience leading external audits.
• Formal training and certification in ISO 17025 Laboratory Management System and Laboratory Audit Systems (preferred).
• Strong laboratory management and data analysis skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, analytical ability, leadership strengths and ability to work effectively with a team.
• Willingness to travel within the region on a regular basis (approx. 30 %, up to 50 % during initial rollout and peak audit periods).

• Competitive salary ($110,000 – $125,000 based on experience and geographic location) and comprehensive benefits package.
• Paid time off, plus generous holiday time.
• Environment that welcomes workplace flexibility.
• Opportunity for personal and professional growth within an organization that values development and internal career advancement.
• Be part of our mission in making sustainability the norm through Forever Chocolate with priorities centered around prosperous farmers, zero child labor, carbon and forest‑positive initiatives, and creating 100 % sustainable ingredients in all of our products.

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong.