Laboratory Coordinator (New Grads & Experienced Lab Coordinators encouraged to apply!)

Mars•Columbia, SC

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Site Laboratory Coordinator is the hands-on leader responsible for governing the site’s analytical testing program and ensuring the integrity of quality and food safety data. The role leads the laboratory team in performing physical and chemical analyses of raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products. It upholds Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and the Mars Site Lab Standard to help ensure products meet specifications and that data used for quality decisions is accurate, reliable, and timely. The position is based at Mars Petcare in Columbia, South Carolina, and is a first-shift role, Monday through Friday. Schedule flexibility may occasionally be required based on business demands. The Columbia site makes Pedigree and Temptations products.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or higher in a relevant science field, such as Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, or a related technical discipline.
1–3 years of hands-on experience in a quality laboratory function; experience in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment such as food, Petcare, or pharmaceuticals is preferred.
Foundational knowledge and practical understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Quality Management Systems (QMS).
Experience and technical knowledge in basic daily laboratory operations, including precise weighing, titrating, and preparing volumetric solutions.
Ability to follow instructions and strictly adhere to procedures, analytical methods, and safety protocols without deviation.
Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills to maintain laboratory data, sample logs, and calibration records.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment, such as food, Petcare, or pharmaceuticals.

Responsibilities

Lead, train, and mentor laboratory technicians; oversee daily workflows and ensure accuracy in analytical testing.
Supervise physical and chemical testing using equipment such as NIR, pH meters, water activity meters, and ELISA/Lateral Flow Devices.
Govern raw-material sampling, including safe and aseptic sampling of bulk trucks, totes, and bags.
Provide technical support to the lab team, including first-level instrument troubleshooting, problem diagnosis, and guidance on analytical calculations such as dilutions and concentrations.
Ensure laboratory compliance with the Mars Quality Management System (QMS) and Global Site Lab Standard through documentation, record-keeping, and internal audits.
Manage laboratory Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), including root-cause analysis and timely closure of deviations.
Maintain laboratory documentation, test records, and equipment calibration logs, keeping them accurate and audit ready.
Analyze quality-control trends and escalate quality or food-safety deviations to the Q&FS Manager and relevant line managers.
Deploy and implement new or updated analytical methods as directed by the Regional Q&FS Testing Manager.
Manage participation in required proficiency testing and ring trial programs.
Own the cleaning, maintenance, and calibration program for laboratory equipment.
Coordinate with regional and external laboratories, including preparation and shipment of samples for specialized testing.
Collaborate with the MGS Site Lab Support Scientist and regional site laboratory community on compliance, root-cause analysis, and best-practice sharing.
Report quarterly laboratory performance metrics to Mars Global Services (MGS), including compliance and continuous-improvement activities.
Complete non-conformance investigations for ingredients and provide information for Supplier CAPAs.
Own the site calibration program.
Submit ingredient and in-process testing to the regional laboratory for testing and monitoring.
Own the site glass and hard plastic program.
Own the site knife and blade program.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the QFS Manager.