QFS Plant Laboratory Manager

Job Location s

US-VA-Mount Crawford

:

Number of People to Hire: 1

Job Family:
Manufacturing

Level of

Experience:

Experienced Professionals

At Danone, manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a QFS Plant Laboratory Manager (PQLab) based in Mt Crawford, Virginia!

Position Summary:

This role is responsible for the management of the quality lab department, ultimately ensuring the production of safe food that is in compliance with Danone standards and legal requirements, prioritizing the safety of both the product and the general work environment in their daily duties. The Laboratory Manager drives all the lab activities for the site, managing the budget and resources to ensure delivery of reliable and timely results for the purpose of process control and product release.

The manager will ensure that any non-conformances related to quality and food safety are immediately reported and managed according to the PNC program.

Reporting structure:
Reports into the Quality and Food Safety Director and leads a team of approximately 26 direct reports.

• Manage the implementation of testing methods according to Global AE requirements (KARMA digital).
• Implement and monitor quality system according to ISO 17025 and Global AE requirements (QMS, standards, methods, KPIs).
• Achieve and maintain ISO 17025 accreditation status of laboratory and methods as and if required for your laboratory (SN specific).
• Maintain and update laboratory documents.

• 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 signal 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 management 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.

• 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, e.g. in production, have an up‑to‑date training record.

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

• Support to manufacturing in case of incidents/accidents.
• Participate in Crisis Team activities as defined by the QFS Plant Quality Leader.

• Manage and coordinate with internal stakeholders such as Operations, QFS, Analytical Excellence, …
• Coordinate with external stakeholders such as suppliers and regulatory bodies. Manage external laboratories performing testing for the Factory.

Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment…