Quality Control Manager

Summary

We are looking for an experienced Quality Control Manager to oversee laboratory and QC activities within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This position will provide leadership to the Quality Control team and ensure that incoming materials, in-process materials, and finished products consistently meet company, regulatory, safety, and customer expectations.

• Direct the day-to-day activities of the Quality Control laboratory, including analytical, microbiological, and sensory/organoleptic testing.
• Oversee testing and approval processes to ensure raw materials and finished goods are evaluated and released within established timelines and specifications.
• Establish and evaluate QC performance metrics, using data related to laboratory workload, testing volume, turnaround times, and overall department effectiveness.
• Provide leadership, coaching, training, and development for laboratory staff while identifying opportunities for cross-training and professional growth.
• Ensure laboratory practices and documentation comply with applicable cGMP, GLP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, OSHA, customer, and internal standards.
• Coordinate activities associated with customer and regulatory audits, as well as internal quality system audits.
• Manage quality investigations involving product or material discrepancies, OOS results, customer complaints, and other quality concerns. Lead root cause investigations and implementation of CAPAs and corrective actions.
• Maintain and improve laboratory systems, including SOPs, analytical methods, validation activities, change controls, deviations, equipment calibration and qualification, and service agreements.
• Work collaboratively with R&D, Production, QA, Procurement, and senior leadership to identify quality issues, determine appropriate solutions, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a strong focus on laboratory safety, housekeeping, and compliance with established manufacturing and safety procedures.

$80,000 - $120,000

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or a related scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Control, analytical chemistry, or laboratory operations within a food, flavor, beverage, pharmaceutical, or comparable manufacturing environment.
• 2-5 years of experience supervising, managing, or leading laboratory personnel.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, cGMP, GLP, and applicable food safety and quality regulations.
• Practical experience with sensory evaluation, organoleptic assessment, and analytical testing relevant to food or flavor manufacturing.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate laboratory employees.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and department needs while using quality data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience with USDA-regulated processing, an advanced scientific degree, and/or SQF Practitioner experience is preferred.