Quality Control Lab Supervisor

Quality Lab Manager

Ensures the quality system is established, implemented, and maintained relating to Quality Labs at the Eddyville Plants. Plans, coordinates, and reviews activities in the laboratories to meet plant goals, maintain quality system, food safety system, and protection of the environment.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE : Four-year degree with chemistry, biology or related science courses or a two-year technical degree required OR, an equivalent amount of work experience in a Quality lab environment. 3 years of work experience in a lab setting or Quality Assurance required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Ability to work and lead a team in multiple laboratory environments. High degree of scientific creativity and technical proficiency. Excellent oral, written and computer communication skills. Ability to transfer scientific knowledge to practical applications. Great attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to multitask.

WORKING CONDITIONS : Fast paced bio-chemical / chemical manufacturing lab environment working primarily inside. This position may perform activities in an environment that contains hazardous elements and requires safety awareness and adherence to all safety policies and guidelines. Work must be performed in a safe manner for personal protection and for the protection of other team members. Safety, environmental, and quality procedures in all functional areas must be followed, enforced, and strictly complied with.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally Sitting, standing, walking, repetitive use of hands / arms / legs, and eye / hand coordination for 4+ hours a day Occasional bending, reaching overhead, crouching, balancing, pushing, or pulling

Safety, Environmental, & Quality Compliance

Utilize safe work habits and follow all policies and procedures

Make sound decisions while not compromising safety, environmental or quality standards

Assist with audits as required

Member of Safety and Food Safety / HACCP teams

Turn in any hazards as they are identified to get them corrected as soon as possible

Attend regularly scheduled training sessions to stay current on all compliance initiatives

Ensure compliance with all governmental regulations and policies

Maintain PCQI certification

Quality Control Management Duties

Responsible for both Quality Control Laboratories at the Eddyville worksite, QC Wastewater & AHI Bio Laboratory operations within the Quality department

Ensure the laboratory teams achieve goals by managing planned and unplanned activities impacting the testing of all material

Ensure plant has adequate strain jars to inoculate fermenters aligning with Production needs

Plans, prioritizes, schedules, and assigns work within the department

Resolve problems and set deadlines to ensure timely completion of testing

Responsible for communicating daily reports to department management (i.e. : morning meetings, trouble reports, etc.)

Prepares monthly reports to monitor and manage departmental objectives

Responsible for development of laboratory team members including evaluation and discipline

Lead training of laboratory team over product test procedures, troubleshooting lab equipment, chain of custody forms and any other training deemed necessary

Responsible for obtaining Kosher certificates for applicable products by supplying supporting documentation

Responsible for reviewing and maintaining all HACCP / GMP records

Assist with pest control as needed.

Continually evaluates and streamlines Laboratory processes and tests to eliminate downtime and accidents, improve testing turnaround time and generate accurate testing results

Gathers any necessary certificates of third-party testing companies

Supports external audits when needed

Lead auditor on internal audit team conducting at least two internal audits annually

Conducts Sanitation audits amongst the Feed and Food plants and affiliated warehouses when needed / scheduled.

Responsible for release of incoming raw materials and finished product, as well as scheduling external testing for any new raw materials needing approved

Responsible for completing inventory corrections due to scrapped or IRR material

Initiate IRR or NCP and assist with investigation to determine root cause

Collaborate with other departments when introducing new products, ensuring testing of the products are completed

Responsible for scheduling and when necessary, carrying out daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual testing, calibrations, and certifications

Suggest / implement process improvement, cost down, or best practice ideas

Continually strive for increasing processing efficiencies

Complete 5S activities to keep the work area clean and organized

Seek continuous self-improvement through education and experience

Seek education opportunities for those in the department

Salary Range : 85,000

EEO Statement : Ajinomoto is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by state, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.