Quality Lab Associate III

Baxter International Inc.•Marion, NC

4d•$80,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Quality Lab Associate III provides advanced laboratory execution, coordination, data review, and mentoring support to help ensure consistent performance, strong contamination control, and investigation readiness across microbiology laboratories. The role serves as a primary technical subject-matter expert and data reviewer, performs advanced microbiological testing and analysis, and supports laboratory and site-wide quality initiatives. The position contributes to Baxter’s Quality organization and its mission to save and sustain lives, with a focus on patients and quality. Responsibilities include owning assigned microbial investigations or EMPQ activities, leading validations and method qualifications, supporting audits and regulatory inspections, mentoring laboratory staff, and representing the laboratory when delegated. The role may also act as a supervisor’s delegate and work overtime as required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or a related science; alternatively, a high school diploma and at least 7 years of microbiology laboratory experience, completion of an approved training curriculum, and demonstrated technical mastery appropriate to the level.
At least 5 years of microbiology laboratory experience and demonstrated technical mastery appropriate to the level, if holding a bachelor’s degree.
Expert-level technical knowledge of microbiology laboratory operations and methods relevant to assigned sub-departments.
Demonstrated capability as a technical authority and primary data reviewer for complex or high-risk testing activities.
Strong project management skills, including scope definition, timeline management, tracking, reporting, and sustaining outcomes.
Advanced investigation and root cause analysis skills, including evaluating evidence, developing effective CAPAs, and assessing effectiveness.
Ability to analyze, trend, and interpret laboratory and process data to identify systemic risks and improvement opportunities.
Excellent technical writing skills for investigations, CAPAs, SOPs, protocols, and reports.
Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment on quality and contamination-control decisions.
Demonstrated mentoring and leadership skills, including developing junior analysts and technicians.
Strong judgment and decision-making skills in complex or ambiguous situations.
Proficiency in regulatory and quality-system expectations, including GMP, data integrity, and inspection readiness.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Responsibilities

Perform advanced microbiological testing and support cross-laboratory workflows.
Serve as a primary technical subject-matter expert and data reviewer.
Own microbial investigations or EMPQ activities as assigned.
Perform advanced data trending, statistical analysis, and KPI reporting.
Consult on CAPAs and effectiveness checks.
Lead validations and method qualifications.
Mentor laboratory staff and support the supervisor and manager.
Represent the laboratory during audits and regulatory inspections.
Act as a delegate for the supervisor as assigned.
Embed contamination-control principles into system design and process changes.
Influence site-wide contamination-prevention behaviors.
Work overtime as required.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning on day one
160 hours of paid time off and paid holidays
401(k) match
Employee Stock Purchase Program
Paid parental leave
Tuition reimbursement
Basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Educational assistance programs
Family and medical leaves of absence
Commuting benefits
Employee Discount Program
Employee Assistance Program
Childcare benefits
Discretionary bonuses may be available