Food Safety & Quality Laboratory Manager

INGOMAR PACKING COMPANY LLC•Los Banos, CA

1d•$105,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Ingomar Packaging, we promote a Quality First mindset in everything we do. The FSQ (Food Safety & Quality) Laboratory Manager oversees all analytical and microbiological testing activities, ensuring the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of our tomato products. This role oversees daily lab operations, personnel, and testing programs to maintain Ingomar’s high standards in food safety, sanitation, and product reliability. This position collaborates closely with Quality Assurance, Production, Sanitation, Engineering, and external auditors to support continuous improvement and uphold Ingomar’s commitment to producing safe, high-quality food.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or related scientific field.
3–7+ years of experience in laboratory testing in food manufacturing.
4+ years of leadership experience in a quality or laboratory environment preferred.
Experience with GFSI/SQF, HACCP, or audit programs strongly preferred.
Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including weekends as needed.
Strong understanding of microbiological and analytical testing methods.
Knowledge of food safety standards, GMPs, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.
Excellent communication, organization, and technical writing skills.
Ability to analyze complex information and make sound quality decisions.
Proficient in laboratory and manufacturing systems, Microsoft Office.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and adapt to changing demands.
Detail-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development Supervise, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel, including microbiology techs, analysts, and seasonal lab staff.
Manage scheduling, training, and performance feedback for 24/7 laboratory support.
Maintain a culture of safety, accountability, and Quality First decision‑making.
Ensure all lab staff maintain up-to-date training on testing methods, aseptic technique, GMPs, and documentation.
Laboratory Operations Management Oversee daily microbiological, analytical, environmental, and in-process testing.
Ensure adherence to control plans, sampling programs, testing protocols, and release requirements.
Manage finished product, raw material, semi-finished, and packaging testing to support product disposition decisions.
Maintain laboratory workflow, organization, cleanliness, and contamination‑control practices.
Ensure all laboratory equipment is calibrated, maintained, and functioning according to specifications.
Support new product trials, process validations, and commercialization activities.
Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance Lead the lab’s compliance with GMPs, HACCP, FDA, and GFSI/SQF standards.
Oversee Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM) sampling, response, and communication.
Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and customer visits.
Manage deviations, out-of-specification (OOS) results, root cause investigations, and CAPAs.
Ensure proper documentation, data integrity, and record‑keeping for all testing.
Maintain and revise SOPs, laboratory methods, and work instructions.
Ensure compliance not only with GFSI/SQF and HACCP programs, but also with Kagome Group’s global food safety standards and relevant regional regulations (Japan, US, EU, Asia)
Data Management & Reporting Review, verify, and approve all lab results.
Analyze and trend data; generate daily, weekly, and monthly reporting.
Communicate critical information to QA, Production, Sanitation, and leadership.
Identify opportunities for digitization, automation, and improved data accuracy.
Continuous Improvement & Cross‑Functional Support Drive continuous improvement in laboratory processes, systems, and methods.
Participate in site initiatives such as Lean, Safety, and Quality improvement projects.
Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, validation teams, and contract labs.
Support crisis management teams in cases involving food safety or contamination events.
Lead cross-functional and cross-regional collaboration with Kagome Group plants and QA teams to ensure alignment of testing methodologies, specifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.