QA Lead

Scope of Job: The Quality Assurance Lead is responsible for overseeing daily laboratory operations to ensure compliance with Food Safety and Quality requirements and customer standards. This role focuses on maintaining laboratory equipment, ensuring accurate calibrations, organizing training programs, maintaining inventory, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives. This QA Lead will serve as a point of contact for issues in the lab and contribute to internal and external lab audits. This role may cross-train in other areas in the quality department to backfill as necessary and perform other duties as assigned.  

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and monitor laboratory equipment through control charting and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Review and verify daily calibration records for accuracy and compliance.
• Troubleshoot and coordinate repairs for lab instruments as needed.
• Ensure proper training for all laboratory personnel on procedures, equipment, and safety standards.
• Organize and administer proficiency tests (p-tests) for technicians to validate competency internally and through external labs annually.
• Maintain training documentation and ensure annual refreshers are completed.
• Manage inventory of lab supplies and ensure timely replenishment.
• Lead 5S initiatives to maintain an organized and efficient laboratory environment.
• Set up sensory panels and coordinate annual sensory training sessions.
• Develop and implement Good Lab Practices (GLPs).
• Conduct annual laboratory assessments to verify compliance with internal and external standards.
• Prepare documentation and actively participate in external lab audits.
• Support continuous improvement projects to enhance lab processes and quality systems.
• Collaborate with production and supporting departments to ensure the food safety and quality of our products. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Education: High School Diploma required. Associate’s degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in a quality assurance or laboratory environment. Strong knowledge of calibration, equipment maintenance and quality systems. Computer literate and working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Familiarity with 5S, proficiency testing and sensory evaluation preferred.

Competencies: Calibration, Laboratory Practice Quality Assurance (LPQA), Laboratory Results Reporting, Precision Measurement, Quality Assurance Process, Quality Control/Testing, Quality Improvement, Laboratory Equipment Maintenance, Test Documentation, Detail Oriented, Teamwork, Problem Solving, and Operational Excellence.

Physical Requirements: Requires prolonged sitting and continuous use of computer. May lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 10 lbs.