FSQA Lab Manager

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for overseeing all three functional FSQA laboratory operations to ensure the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of all manufactured products. This role involves managing microbiological, analytical, and chemical testing, supervising lab personnel, maintaining compliance with industry regulations, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The lab manager will work closely with Operations, quality assurance, and other cross-functional groups to uphold Westrock food safety and quality standards.

Job Duties

• Oversee daily lab testing of all raw material, in-process, and finished products in alignment with Westrock Coffee QMS procedures and Food Safety and Regulatory standards.
• Ensure compliance with standardized testing methods for all microbiological, analytical, and chemical testing conducted in the lab.
• Develop and support new methods if needed when introducing new products in the facility.
• Manage and develop the laboratory team, ensuring effective training, proficiency, and performance.
• Optimize QC laboratory operations, focusing on efficiency and analytical accuracy.
• Establish statistical sampling plans for raw materials, packaging, and finished products when needed.
• Represent lab testing methods and data analysis to both internal and external customers.
• Analyze and interpret lab results to identify trends and potential quality issues. Provide quality lab data and trend analysis to support continuous improvement in FSQA operations.
• Represent lab data and KPIs during periodic QA and Compliance meetings.
• Oversee procurement and inventory of lab supplies and ensure correct record keeping. Manage outside lab sampling and support customer-driven outside lab sampling.
• Help in developing verification and validation methodologies and SOPs to ensure process integrity and compliance.
• Implement and maintain a lab system based on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), including performance KPIs.
• Support cross-functional collaboration by providing technical expertise in quality issue resolution and risk analysis.
• Support cross-functional collaboration by providing technical expertise in development and support on programs such as EMP, Allergen verification, etc.
• Support cross-functional collaboration by providing technical expertise during Plant or Customer-driven LPRs, CQVs, audits, etc.
• Support audit-driven initiatives by maintaining all documentation and record keeping for lab-based processes like inventory management, calibration program, training, and proficiency, etc.