QA/QC Laboratory Manager

The Quality Assurance & Quality Control Manager ensures that all raw materials, in-process products, and finished products meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and company quality standards by leading laboratory operations and supervising a small team, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and supporting operational excellence throughout the plant.

Primary Responsibilities

Safety

• Keep safety at the forefront. Demonstrate and lead safety culture through compliance, training, hazard identification, reporting, emergency response, and active participation in safety initiatives.
• Work with the safety department and SQF management to implement and monitor employee safety, product safety, plant sanitation, and environmental compliance. 
• Set the example as the primary resource for chemical and laboratory safety at High Plains Processing. 
• Maintain standards above minimum compliance with all governing laws and regulations.

People

• Provide leadership by demonstrating teamwork, personal accountability, cooperation, and ethical conduct.
• Lead, coach, and mentor all laboratory team members on laboratory operations to achieve KPI’s on safety, productivity, efficiency, budgetary expectations
• Provide excellent customer service through professional interactions and utilize interdepartmental collaboration skills to resolve customer complaints and clearly communicate with all team members and departments. 

Production

• Responsible for laboratory sampling and testing of soybeans, sunflowers, meal, hulls, pellets, oil, oil by-products, water, and any additional processing streams.
• Calibrate, validate, maintain, and troubleshoot all laboratory equipment, including but not limited to KF, NIR, ICP, OSI, Eco Titrators
• Establish and maintain clear processes and controls to ensure the quality standards are met and upheld
• Manage all food, feed, and ingredient labeling to maintain regulatory compliance under the direction of SQF and commercial teams
• Administer and maintain a document management system for the facility
• Point of contact to support the resolution of operational, technical, or mechanical issues in assigned area.
• Facilitate investigation and corrective action development for out-of-specification products/materials
• Have working knowledge of all lab functions to cross train and back up employees as needed.

Communicate and Collaborate

• Develop collaborative relationships with all internal departments and supporting teams, including refinery, crush, maintenance, loadout, receiving, commercial, transportation, and finance.
• Provide World Class customer service to internal and external customers
• Represent the QA/QC function in collaborative meetings and presentations, communicating results, issues and recommendations
• Perform duties outside normal responsibilities as needed to support the team and organizational objectives.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Science oriented field or equivalent combination of experience 
• 5+ years of laboratory management experience preferred
• Familiarity with food safety systems and controls 
• Strong computer skills including experience with Microsoft office suite.
• Maintain a safe, positive work attitude and demonstrate willingness to be a team member.
• Perform duties outside normal responsibilities as needed to support the team and overall organizational goals.
• Effective and professional communication through speaking, writing, and listening.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical thinking skills with ability to prioritize, adapt and act.

Physical Requirements

Must Possess the Ability to Do the Following Frequently:

• Stoop, Bend, Squat, Kneel • 
• Sit, Stand & Walk
• Push/Pull & Carry/Lift up to 50 lbs.
• Handle Objects
• Climb Ladders and Stairs
• Reach Above Shoulder Level
• Use fine finger movement

Working Conditions

• Work on & around high structures
• Exposed to dust fumes & gases
• Exposed to temperature changes
• Work in confined space
• Exposed to dust • Exposed to excessive noise
• Works around moving machinery
• Drives motorized equipment
• Occasionally exposed to fumes
• Indoor work with occasional outdoor work