Quality Assurance Manager Job Jackson area,Mississippi USA,Quality Assurance

Position Function

The Quality Assurance Manager directs and leads all quality assurance and safety programs within the MSCL. This individual has the responsibility and authority to establish, implement, maintain and update the laboratory quality system to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 and other relevant accrediting standards in addition to monitoring laboratory safety practices.

Salary Grade

Grade: 15

Department Profile

The Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory (MSCL) is a state‑appropriated regulatory agency for the State of Mississippi as well as a fee‑for‑service laboratory located on the campus of Mississippi State University. MSCL is dedicated to ensuring the quality and safety of fertilizers, pesticides, animal feeds, petroleum products, and manufactured and retail food. It provides fast, defensible, and reliable analytical data to:

The State’s regulatory agencies, including MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry.
The State’s federations and councils, such as the MS Farm Bureau and Delta Council.
The State’s industries, including Poultry, Catfish, and Manufacturing.
The State’s citizens.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Management & Accreditation Oversight

Maintain, and continuously improve the laboratory quality management system (QMS) to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO/IEC
17025:2017 standards and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Revise and maintain the laboratory's quality assurance plan and quality manual, as necessary. Assist laboratory sections in the development, review, and periodic revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all laboratory activities.
Oversee and maintain the quality assurance module of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), ensuring proper configuration, documentation, and effective utilization.
Maintain a system for documenting staff qualifications, experience, training, and certifications.

Audits, Compliance, & Corrective Actions

Conduct internal audits of laboratory processes for adherence to written laboratory SOPs, accreditation standards, and safety requirements. Prepare reports, communicate findings, and ensure implementation and effectiveness of corrective action by conducting follow‑up meetings with laboratory staff.
Prepare and coordinate all responses to audit findings on behalf of the laboratory. Function as the point of contact (POC) with federal and state agencies and accrediting organizations for issues concerning data quality as well as scheduling and representing the laboratory during external audits.
Routinely audit laboratory practices to ensure they are compliant with State, University and MSCL policies for laboratory and chemical safety and including chemical storage and disposal. Maintain records for implementing quality control practices and administer systems for tracking control processes (e.g., check sample programs, proficiency tests, method performance monitoring).

Data Quality & Technical Oversight

Review project quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) and laboratory‑generated data for accuracy, precision, and compliance with internal and external quality assurance standards.
Monitor the performance of analytical methods, instrumentation, and reagents, maintaining control charts, reagent expiration dates, method quality control data, etc.
Prepare technical reports and provide recommendations for corrective or remedial actions when necessary.

Training & Communication

Develop, schedule, and deliver training in quality assurance, quality control, and laboratory safety. Identify and anticipate future training needs as the laboratory expands.
Keep State Chemist, section heads and other pertinent personnel informed of quality assurance, quality control, accreditation, and safety matters through regular meetings and written reports.

Laboratory Safety

Conduct routine inspections of laboratory safety equipment (e.g., eye washes, safety showers, gas monitors, etc.) to ensure proper operations.
Perform other duties important to the function of the State Chemical Laboratory as assigned by the State Chemist.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s of Science degree with a focus in Physical or Biological Sciences.
Five years laboratory…