Regional Lab Manager

Malteurop•Winona, MN

46d•Hybrid

About The Position

The North American Regional Laboratory Manager, under the direction of the Quality Director, oversees and manages all aspects of the multiple barley and malt production laboratories. Consistent, timely, and accurate data is paramount to the successful operation of our production facilities; maintaining high-performing laboratory operations and teams are critical for our business overall.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or other science-related field.
10+ years in Laboratory roles.
7+ years in Manufacturing settings.
5+ years of Laboratory Management.
Proven track record of successful team management.
Experience managing teams remotely.
Proven practical application of Statistical Process Controls.
Proven ability to work nimbly and adapt in a production environment.
Results-driven with excellent communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
Ability to prioritize, address, and mitigate any potential issues independently.
Strong understanding of Good Laboratory Practices.
Previous experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems.
Strong proficiency in MS Programs.
Ability to travel Canada, USA, Mexico up to 35%.
Experience with ERP systems; preferably SAP.

Nice To Haves

Previous multi-site experience.
Previous implementation experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems.
Practical knowledge of barley biochemistry.
Customer-facing communication experience.
Malting and/or brewing experience.

Responsibilities

Direct oversight of 3 malt and 2 barley laboratories, including direct management and scheduling of up to 10 laboratory technicians.
Coordination with 1 malt and 1 barley laboratories in Mexico, where the Quality Supervisor manages up to 4 laboratory technicians.
Ensuring accurate and reliable data at all times through utilization of daily ring samples, instrumentation standards, and collaborative studies in a transparent, documented fashion.
Ensuring all instrumentation at all locations is in good working order, with necessary preventative maintenance scheduled and calibrations current, verified, and validated.
Conducting thorough Root Cause Analysis when instrumentation or analytical deviations are noted.
Ensuring the analytical plan is implemented and followed across all sites.
Maintaining organized documentation to keep all documents current and accessible.
Ensuring proper training and support for all Laboratory team members in Safety, Good Lab Practices, Food Safety, Company Policies, and task proficiency.
Providing consistent, productive feedback to team members individually and as a team, including documented mid-year and annual performance reviews.
Exploring and providing developmental opportunities for the team to expand knowledge and skill sets, such as barley grading, malting process, soft skills, and leadership training.
Development and routine internal stakeholder communication of Laboratory Key Performance Indicators.
Development and presentation of customer-facing information.
Development and execution of instrumentation and analytical capabilities, considering customer and internal stakeholders, industry standards, and cost evaluations.
Support R&D initiatives of all functions.