Senior Analytical Chemist

Job Summary

The Senior Analytical Chemist will lead the QC Laboratory team (analytical and microbiology) to develop, implement, and periodically evaluate all QC Laboratory programs to ensure the organization’s production operations, from raw materials to finished products, meet the quality, integrity, purity and efficiency standards set by the industry and organization. 

The primary responsibility of this position is to plan and direct the activities of the QC Laboratory and manage the performance of all services in accordance with internal goals and objectives, FDA regulations for OTCs and cosmetics, and company policies and procedures. This role will focus on customers’ expectations, preventing problems, and continuously improving results for themselves, customers, and other employees. The employee will provide support in developing and implementing laboratory programs, including tracking, analyzing, reporting, problem solving, and providing analytical expertise to the organization and customers. The Sr. Analytical Chemist takes the lead role in developing and maintaining a work environment that fosters employee participation and drives a high performing team of Chemists and Microbiologists while instilling a quality-focused culture throughout the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead hire, train, and mentor the quality control department’s staff. This includes all personnel in the QC Analytical and QC Microbiology teams.  
• Provides a positive example while directing and coordinating daily activities and process improvement initiatives within the QC Laboratory.
• Determines appropriate methods working with staff to create and/or modify test methods. Assures all methods are properly documented and followed according to company policies.
• Develops and maintains quality data in the ERP system to release raw materials and finished products with a pristine level of quality and integrity.
• Ensures QC Laboratory processes, procedures and activities are in compliance with governing bodies such as FDA regulations for cosmetics and OTCs (21 CFR Parts 210 & 211,) USP, local regulations and environmental regulations on hazardous waste handling and disposal.
• Leads, implements, and maintains good laboratory practices (GLPs.)
• Establishes, schedules, and conducts effective training programs to promote a solid functional understanding of quality systems and quality-related tools. a training plan for QC Lab staff.
• Full authority for meeting internal and customer standards, which may include the implementation of containment processes and/or other procedures.
• Directs, plans, and implements systems to ensure internal and customer quality requirements are met and/or surpassed.
• Maintains open and timely communication with all analytical and microbiological testing stakeholders and provides support to other departments and leadership to achieve company goals. 
• Determines, maintains, and communicates budgetary necessities to ensure adequate funds are allocated to run the QC Laboratory efficiently and effectively.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an internal laboratory auditing program.
• Subject matter expert (SME) on all analytical and quality control testing activities within the organization.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field.
• 10 years of progressive work experience in an FDA-regulated testing laboratory environment (cosmetic, OTC or pharmaceutical industry preferred).
• Minimum of 1 year managing direct reports in a laboratory setting (3 years preferred).

Skills and Proficiencies 

• Proficiency in running and maintaining analytical instrumentation and developing and performing analytical test methods, specifically ICP, HPLC, wet chemistry techniques, GC, refractometer, density, and pH. 
• Proficiency in writing technical documents, protocols, reports, and SOPs. 
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information to a non-technical audience, both verbally and written. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in various group settings consisting of customers, cross-functional departments, peers, and senior leadership, and assess the level of disclosure of proprietary information based on the audience.
• Ability to manage and develop quality control department and staff.
• Knowledge and experience utilizing industry-related resources to gather information, troubleshoot and resolve quality issues.
• Ability to work on multiple projects with competing priorities and tight deadlines with excellent time management.

 COMPANY BENEFITS  

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability, Long Term Disability, & Life/AD&D
• 401k contributions
• Flex Time
• Volunteer Time Off
• Bereavement Time Off 
• New Parent Paid Leave
• And more!