Quality Lab Manager

Job Description
Job Purpose
Under the direction of the Site QA Manager/Associate Direction - Manufacturing - Quality, the Quality Laboratory Manager is responsible for implementing, managing, monitoring and maintaining the plant's Quality/Micro systems to ensure compliance to regulatory, federal, and local laws. The Quality Laboratory Manager will manage a team of micro techs, lab analysts and analytical techs to support a 24/7 operation that runs up to 365 days a year. This role will actively participate and support all internal and external auditing activities In addition, this role will support FSSC/ISO; KHMS and HACCP functions will lead the development of new quality systems/programs across the facility and will provide Microbiological support/resources for major commercialization projects.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Trains, mentors, and leads the site Quality Laboratory team to ensure program goals are met. Monitors and maintains plant the KHMS program by complying to current Kraft Heinz and International Audit (FSSC/ISO) standards. Facilitate and co-lead site cross functional KHMS Team and participate with Kraft Heinz corporate to ensure successful certification for site.
• Responsible for the coordination, scheduling, and tasking of Microbiological and Analytical laboratory duties to hourly direct reports to ensure that the Quality Laboratory department is fully meeting all requirements and support responsibilities for the factory.
• Lead the implementation of the KHMS (Kraft Heinz Management System) system associated requirements.
• Accountable for the Safety, Health and Environmental systems and operational standards to ensure compliance as it is outlined in our policies/procedures and processes.
• Lead Quality and Production teams in handling any Microbiological issues at the plant.
• Actively support the planning, defining, and directing the site performance monitoring to ensure compliance to all procedures, and policies, GMP standards, Kraft Heinz requirements, and regulatory, federal, and local laws.
• Support all internal and external inspections/regulatory visits. Support audit preparation activities, accompany inspector, and complete necessary reports and postings. Perform follow-ups to non-conformances and provide responses as appropriate. Review and approve minor requests.
• Ensure all Specification/KPI/ /KHMS/FSSC/ISO plans are maintained and updated/approved as required.
• Ensure that all necessary supplies and consumable inventory and ordering are completed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Manage the scheduling, collection, and communication of the Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM) results to Quality, Operations and Sanitation teams.
• Perform Microbiological testing for (a) finished product, raw material and in-process production using accepted laboratory testing methodology and (b) environmental/sanitation indicators using accepted laboratory testing methodology.
• Responsible for recording results in appropriate bookkeeping format and analyzing results to determine proper action to be taken for correction.
• Coordinates necessary flow of information to ensure product quality is maintained. This includes intra-plant and outside vendor communications.
• Must compile, analyze, and disseminate data for periodic reports such as daily, weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc reports.
• Must monitor the production process from the microbiological viewpoint for trends with the intent of correcting possible problems before they occur.
• Proficiency in utilizing plant and laboratory systems and databases, while identifying areas improvement and data digitization.
• Must perform any special testing for Kraft (including R&D) and other plant locations.
• Must perform specific research and development trials for new product Methodology or techniques.
• Must be continually updating technical knowledge to remain current in changes in the Microbiological field to provide a source of expertise.
• Must perform any other duties assigned by management.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Degree in a scientific field such as Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering preferred.
• Experience as a Quality/Microbiological Laboratory Manager and/or technical leadership role.
• Experience in Microbiology, Quality or technical (R/D) preferred.
• Must be able to work shifts, weekends, and all required overtime. Prompt and regular attendance. Walk, sit, stand, climb, work near moving equipment, occasionally lift up to 25lbs, operate a computer, keyboard/typing, communicate in-person and via telephone, complete paperwork responsibilities.
• Strong leadership, technical, communication and organizational skills required along with attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge of Quality/Micro systems, procedures, and policies helpful. Handle multiple assignments, develop work plans, and prioritize.
• Knowledge of statistical processes.
• Detailed-oriented.
• Effective communication skills (oral written and verbal).
• Planning and organizing skills.
• Successful candidates must possess a positive focus toward solutions with emphasis on preventative pro-active measures and team-building.

Work Environment & Schedule
This position is considered a Manufacturing plant environment with heavy machinery and equipment. Additionally, this role is primarily a 1st shift, but you will be required to flex - working 2nd and 3rd shift, weekends, and all required over time as needed.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands include but not limited to

• Frequent - activity or conditions sustained 1/3 to 2/3 of working hours; upright stance, keyboard or text input; sedentary - occasionally exerting 0-10 lbs. of force, limited movement from workstation for brief period of time.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.
Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$88,000.00 - $110,000.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
Champaign Plant
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [email protected] for assistance.