Laboratory Supervisor

Position Overview:

The Laboratory Supervisor oversees the day-to-day laboratory operations, including ensuring the accurate and timely testing of raw materials, in-process, and finished products to meet customer and company quality standards. The Laboratory Supervisor ensures compliance with good laboratory practices (GLPs), safety and regulatory requirements while lab activities are performed.

Key Accountabilities:

Organizes and directs the laboratory's workflow ensuring the completion of all records, accuracy in tests, and training in new testing equipment and laboratory methods.

• Oversees test result collection, analysis and reporting of data to appropriate stakeholders.

• Ensures that all testing is performed in a timely manner and with accuracy to support the product's release.

• Maintains lab supply inventory and purchases supplies as needed.

• Maintains documented lab methods for all testing methods used internally and ensures alignment with corporate lab methods.

• Oversees requests for product samples and associated paperwork.

• Coordinates any necessary outside lab testing, reviews internal and third-party lab testing results, analyzes and trends lab data.

• Recommends improvements in lab methods, equipment, quality, and working environments.

Provides supervision under the direction of the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager to laboratory technicians. Serves as back-up support to Quality Control Supervisor and Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager as needed.

• Oversees lab technician scheduling and coordination of activities.

• Responsible for hiring, onboarding, and training lab technicians to ensure consistency and accuracy among results.

• Provides performance feedback to lab technicians regularly and encourages the growth and development of staff via individual development plans.

• Serves as a plant certified industry supervisor for Appendix N bulk local screening program, including ordering testing supplies, maintaining equipment and training intake personnel in proper sampling/testing procedures.

• Collaborates with Quality Control Supervisor to ensure adherence to Environmental Monitoring Program, including but not limited to performing sponging and ATP swabbing as well as leading the investigation and root cause analysis exercises for out of spec results.

• Participates in regulatory, customer, and laboratory audits as needed.

Participates in internal, customer and regulatory agency visits and audits, including accompanying visitors and accommodating their requests.

• Maintains lab equipment, including ensuring calibrations are completed timely, preparing maintenance work orders, and troubleshooting equipment-related issues.

• Works with lab equipment vendors to ensure operational efficiencies are maintained.

• Establishes procedures for developing controls necessary to indicate equipment performance measures.

• Develops validation protocol for any new equipment or new methods being implemented.

Minimum Qualifications:

2-5 years' experience in laboratory in a food manufacturing environment with a strong understanding of GLPs and laboratory safety practices.

Strong attention to detail and the ability to work accurately and efficiently.

Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to successfully interact and communicate with internal cross-functional teams, and all organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science or related field of study, or equivalent experience.

Experience with both microbiological and analytical test methods.

General knowledge of GMPs and quality systems associated with food manufacturing, dairy preferred.

Demonstrates good judgement in decision-making.

Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Job Setting: Plant Laboratory

Benefits:

At Foremost Farms, we believe that you and your family matter most. That's why we're proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and competitive benefits packages in the area - designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Flexible coverage with options to meet the needs of you and your family
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - 100% company match on up to 8% of your contributions
• Generous Paid Time Off - Start with 200 hours of PTO (pro-rated for first year)
• 10 Paid Holidays - Enjoy time to rest and recharge
• Paid Parental Leave - 6 weeks fully paid
• Health Savings Account (HSA) - when you elect the high-deductible health plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Save for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life and Disability Insurance - Financial protection for you and your loved ones
• Daily Pay Option - Access your earnings when you need them
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free, confidential support for life's challenges
• Referral Program - Earn rewards for bringing great people to our team
• Career Growth Opportunities - Advance your skills and your career with us

Don't meet every single requirement? At Foremost Farms we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.