QA Lab Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: The Laboratory Manager ensures the effectiveness of the Quality Management System (QMS), and the manufacturing environment and site practices meet regulatory and internal requirements. This position focuses on product safety including management of laboratories and microbiological and analytical testing.

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Supervises Microbiology and Chemistry Laboratory teams.
• Creates and revises chemistry and microbiology operational procedures and work instructions.
• Manages positive release, environmental monitoring, preservative verification, and microbial validation programs.
• Manages the calibration and verification process of laboratory equipment. Microscopes, Celsis Advance system, UV Vis, Analytical Autotitrator, FTIR, TOC analyzer, Hoods, pH meter, Conductivity meter, Incubators, Autoclave, Pipettors, Gas Chromatograph, Centrifuge and Labware.
• Reviews and analyzes water, raw material, finished product, and environmental testing data including Celsis rapid microbial testing, plates/petrifilm, swabs, spectrophotometry, total organic carbon, and titration methods.
• Directs investigations of out-of-specification test results and trends.
• Creates, validates, implements, and trains new microbiological and analytical test methods.
• Collaborates with Departmental teams to ensure product safety and product quality.
• Conducts routine laboratory team meetings utilizing the company’s current communication tool with all laboratory personal.
• Administers Microbiology and Chemistry training to facility personnel.
• Represents facility in external/customer audits.
• Participates in Global Laboratory Working Group representing NWA facility.
• Completes Global QA projects and addresses Global QA inquiries.
• Demonstrate commitment to Rockline’s RRITE Values of Renew, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence.
• Associates have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of each associate’s essential accountabilities.
• Contribute to a cooperative working effort by demonstrating a willingness to perform other job-related work, as needed or requested. This position is designated as a Safety-Sensitive (A safety-sensitive position is one in which the associate’s inability or impaired ability to perform their job-related tasks could result in a direct threat to the associate’s safety or the safety of others).

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the essential accountabilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.)

• Bachelor of Science in related Science field (Industrial or Clinical Microbiology preferred.) 3-5 years of Laboratory experience (must include Microbiology) required.
• Quality system auditing experience, required. 3 years in a QA decision-making role. American Society of Quality (ASQ) technical certification (Quality Auditor, Six Sigma, Quality Engineer, Quality Manager) preferred.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs, specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: (The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions)

• Must be able to communicate face-to-face and over the phone
• Occasional lifting to 35 lbs.
• Frequent standing/walking. Occasional sitting, bending, twisting, kneeling, climbing, pushing/pulling and reaching.
• Repetitive hand and foot movement.
• Work environment includes occasional noise >85db, hot and cold temperatures.
• Requires ability to read, write, calculate and analyze.
• Requires good visual acuity with depth perception and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Office Laboratory
• Production Floor