Food Safety Quality Assurance Lab Supervisor

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

The responsibilities of the FSQA Lab Supervisor – Raw Materials will include:

• Lead daily troubleshooting and research efforts related to raw material and supplier nonconformances
• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for raw material issues in plant operations
• Provide supervision of the Analytical Lab Technician team through effective selection, scheduling, daily activities, retention, feedback, disciplinary action, and performance management
• In-person interaction required with direct reports over multi-shift schedule
• Supervise training programs and aid in onboarding of new technicians
• Assist in development, management and execution of plant micro, nutritional, FSQA testing programs
• Collaborate with Analytical Project Leader and manage accountability of tech team member’s involvement in analytical projects
• Conduct team proficiency testing and staff evaluations
• Author comprehensive and exhaustive investigation reports; aid in disposition of raw materials
• Coach tech team members in writing technical reports and improvements in problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Author department SOPs
• Manage internal raw material positive release and specified internal audit programs
• Oversee day to day schedule and routine activities of laboratories, to meet business needs
• Compile laboratory purchase requisitions and maintain lab inventory
• Assume additional related responsibilities, as necessary

How You Will Make An Impact

• Exhibits leadership skills, sound ethics and critical thinking towards Quality and Food Safety standards
• Takes initiative on new projects and improvement plans
• Displays flexibility in management of work priorities
• Ability to adapt to changing organization and operational needs, as well as lead others through change
• Able to work independently and interdepartmentally
• Strong knowledge and application of Good Laboratory Practices
• Excellent document control and data management skills
• Good communication skills with internal and external clients
• Must be HACCP/PCQI certified or receive certification within 3 months in the role
• Limited travel, as needed

What You Will Bring

• Minimum 3 years performing proficiently in a role within FSQA, preferably in food manufacturing
• Bachelor’s Degree in a Science-related field preferred, or 10 years food/manufacturing including leadership experience

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.

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