QA Lab Assistant Manager

The mission for this position is to support the Quality Department through additional oversight of lab personnel, batch paperwork review and data entry, cross-training, and coordinating and assisting with special projects to ensure timely completion of all department goals. The right person for this role will understand food processing and have experience meeting food safety and quality requirements. This is a critical role, requiring working cross-functionally with multiple teams.

Responsibilities

Communicate with leadership teams and personnel regarding product compliance to food safety and quality requirements and specifications.

Manage all lab staff, including hiring, scheduling, and performance reviews. Position scorecards will list all performance indicators.

Assist in Incident Response and ON HOLD programs to document investigations.

Verify batch paperwork daily, and report quality concerns to appropriate personnel. Responsible for follow-up with technicians on deficiencies and reporting those deficiencies to the Lab Supervisors and QA Manager.

Maintain and audit incident, on hold and positive release registers.

Maintenance and data entry into quality databases and files.

Review physical grade sheets of cans for accuracy and enter into Positive Release if product is within specification. Review physical samples with potential deficiencies and report findings as appropriate.

Meet regularly with lab Supervisors to provide training and feedback, assist with issues on shift, and assist Supervisors in bringing problems to Management attention.

Work with lab Supervisors to develop and oversee weekly lab training programs.

Be able to perform all job duties of a lab technician or lab supervisor to fill in the lab when necessary.

Cross-train in the microbiology lab to learn all skills associated with the position.

Assist with any other project as assigned by QC Management.

Perform other duties as assigned.

This position has been identified as holding responsibility for food safety and the quality of the company. This responsibility extends over all shifts. Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Food Science, Ag Science or related field.

PCQI certification within 6 months of hire.

Must be a team oriented strong problem solver, able to create solutions to challenges in an expedient manner.

The ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments is essential.

Strong computer skills are important.

Proficiency in understanding and use of personal computers, Excel, Word, e-mail, and 10-key skills required.

Experience in food manufacturing, preferably in a Quality role.

Spanish fluency strongly preferred.