QFS Plant Laboratory Manager; PQLab

Overview

QFS Plant Laboratory Manager (PQLab) – Dallas, Texas, beverage manufacturing facility.

Position Summary:

This role is responsible for the management of the quality lab department, ensuring the production of safe food in compliance with Danone standards and legal requirements, prioritizing product and work environment safety. The Laboratory Manager drives all lab activities for the site, manages the budget and resources to ensure reliable and timely results for process control and product release. Non-conformances related to quality and food safety are to be reported and managed according to the PNC program.

Reporting structure:
Reports to the Director, Quality & Food Safety and leads a team of approximately 22 full-time employees.

Location:

US-TX-Dallas

• Quality Assurance in lab: Manage the implementation of testing methods according to Global AE requirements (KARMA digital).
• Implement and monitor quality systems according to ISO 17025 and Global AE requirements (QMS, standards, methods, KPIs).
• Aim to achieve and maintain ISO 17025 accreditation status of laboratory and methods as required for the laboratory (SN specific).
• Maintain and update laboratory documents.

• Laboratory Operations Management: Oversee daily lab activities, ensure compliance with control plan, testing protocols, and manage equipment calibration and maintenance.
• Manage finished product release according to predefined requirements.
• Ensure raw materials, materials, and semi-finished products and packaging are analyzed according to current control plans and released for production if they meet quality requirements.
• Interpret test results and address quality non-conformities related to raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products.
• Ensure analytical performance of the laboratory.
• Define and manage KPIs for laboratory performance in line with customer (factory, ...) requirements.
• Ensure proper layout and workflow to avoid risks of cross-contamination.
• Lead lab continuous improvement (non-conformities management, internal audits).
• Analyze, review and approve lab results, and communicate reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide data/calculate KPIs defined for Quality Control.
• Ensure the laboratory is developing and implementing digitalization and automation solutions.

• Team Leadership: Ensure proper capability in the laboratory; supervise and develop lab teams, manage schedules, conduct performance reviews, and ensure training and competencies development. Ensure each Danoner within the laboratory can fulfil their responsibilities. Ensure QFS Laboratory/Testing competencies development based on status assessment vs needs. Ensure all personnel performing any form of analytical testing within lab/QFS and outside of lab/QFS have up-to-date training records.

• Budget Management: Ensure effective financial budgeting related to lab activities and budget adherence for operational costs such as labor and consumables.

• Assistance in Crises: Provide support to manufacturing in case of incidents/accidents; participate in Crisis Team activities as defined by the QFS Plant Quality Leader.

• Stakeholder Management: Coordinate with internal stakeholders (Operations, QFS, Analytical Excellence, etc.) and external stakeholders (suppliers, regulatory bodies). Manage external laboratories performing testing for the Factory.

• In plants implementing IWS, the PQLab is a member of a Pillar team and owns at least one system.

Physical Demands: The role may require standing, walking, sitting, and use of hands for handling objects; reaching with hands and arms; climbing stairs and ladders; balance; stooping, kneeling or crouching; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds. Vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands: Ability to understand vague/in implicit instructions, adapt to changing priorities, and communicate effectively. Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, and articulate goals and actions.

Work Environment: Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts, wet/humid conditions,…