QC Lab Operations Lead

QC Lab Operations Lead

Salt Lake City, UT, US

5 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $23.00 To $26.00 Hourly

The QC Lab Operations Lead provides daily operational leadership and hands‑on coordination for the QC Lab Sampling & Login team within a cGMP nutraceutical manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring all incoming raw materials, work‑in‑progress (WIP), packaging components, and finished goods are accurately sampled, logged, labeled, and submitted for testing in a timely and compliant manner.

The Lead serves as the primary floor‑level resource for sampling operations, ensuring adherence to aseptic techniques, GMP documentation practices, safety standards, and laboratory organization requirements. This role also supports employee training, workflow prioritization, and continuous improvement efforts to maintain audit readiness and operational efficiency.

• Coordinate and oversee daily sampling and sample login activities for raw materials, WIP, packaging components, and finished products.
• Ensure all samples are collected, labeled, documented, and entered into the laboratory information or ERP system accurately and within established timelines.
• Verify sample integrity, traceability, and chain‑of‑custody documentation prior to laboratory submission.
• Ensure same‑day processing of incoming sample requests whenever operationally feasible.
• Review documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with GMP requirements.
• Support prioritization of urgent production or release‑related testing requests.

• Maintain ownership and accountability for sampling booths, staging areas, and sample login work spaces.
• Ensure sampling rooms remain clean, sanitized, organized, and inspection‑ready at all times.
• Coordinate routine cleaning, sanitation, and supply restocking activities during operational downtime.
• Monitor inventory levels for sampling supplies, PPE, labels, cleaning materials, and laboratory consumables.
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of sampled materials and waste according to company procedures.
• Provide daily direction, coaching, and floor support to QC Sampling Technicians and temporary staff.
• Train new employees on GMP documentation, sampling techniques, aseptic practices, material handling, and safety procedures.
• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for sampling processes and material handling requirements across a diverse ingredient portfolio.
• Reinforce compliance expectations and promote accountability, attention to detail, and teamwork.
• Assist management with onboarding, cross‑training, and performance feedback for sampling personnel.

• Ensure all sampling activities comply with cGMP regulations, SOPs, safety standards, and quality system requirements.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections as needed.
• Identify and elevate deviations, discrepancies, contamination risks, or documentation errors to QC management.
• Assist with investigations, CAPAs, and process improvement initiatives related to sampling operations.
• Maintain accurate records in accordance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

• Partner closely with the QC Lab Manager to communicate daily workload status, staffing needs, bottlenecks, and operational concerns.
• Assist in balancing staffing resources with daily production and incoming material volumes.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Warehouse, Production, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely sample flow and testing support.
• Recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency, organization, compliance, or turnaround times.

• High school diploma or equivalent required;
  Associate degree in science or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in a GMP‑regulated manufacturing, laboratory, food, pharmaceutical, or nutraceutical environment preferred.
• Prior experience with material sampling, inventory handling, laboratory support, or quality operations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership or peer‑lead experience…