Technical Services - Laboratory Supervisor

Malteries Soufflet; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Malteries Soufflet is seeking a Lab Supervisor to oversee high-throughput quality testing of barley and malt. The role focuses on day-to-day execution, staff coordination in a unionized environment, and meeting testing targets while following procedures, collective agreements, and quality standards.

The position emphasizes safe operations, leadership, and adherence to ASBC methods. It involves coordinating shifts, maintaining instruments, and ensuring accurate results for production teams in

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Agriculture, or related field.
• 3–5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience, preferably in grain handling, malting, brewing, or agricultural quality testing.
• Experience with wet chemistry tests (protein and moisture analyses).
• Previous experience supervising in a laboratory environment is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of barley and malt quality testing methods is strongly preferred.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting common lab instrumentation.
• Familiarity with LIMS or production tracking systems is an asset.
• Proven ability to manage schedules, resolve conflicts, and maintain fairness and consistency.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate daily laboratory activities to ensure timely testing of barley and malt samples.
• Supervise laboratory staff and ensure fair and consistent application of workplace policies, scheduling, and seniority rules.
• Assign work, set priorities, and adjust workflows to meet production and turnaround requirements.
• Monitor staffing levels and coordinate shift coverage per collective agreement.
• Act as the first point of contact for operational issues and escalate as needed.
• Ensure testing follows SOPs and industry methods (e.g., ASBC standards).
• Verify accuracy and completeness of test results before release.
• Maintain sample integrity and chain-of-custody practices.
• Oversee calibration, maintenance, and cleanliness of laboratory equipment.
• Ensure adequate inventory of consumables and supplies.
• Troubleshoot testing or equipment issues to minimize downtime.
• Foster a respectful, collaborative environment.
• Track operational metrics and report lab performance to management.
• Communicate sample status and results with production, malting, and quality teams.
• Identify and implement workflow improvements and standardization.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Organization

Laboratory supervision

Education

Diploma or degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Agriculture, or related field

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Job Title: Lab Supervisor

Job Summary

The Lab Supervisor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and consistent operation of a high-throughput laboratory performing quality testing on barley and malt. This role focuses on day-to-day execution, staff coordination within a unionized environment, and ensuring testing targets are met while adhering to established procedures, collective agreements, and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate daily laboratory activities to ensure timely testing of barley and malt samples.
• Supervise laboratory staff and ensure fair and consistent application of workplace policies, job postings, scheduling, overtime allocation, and seniority rules.
• Assign work, set priorities, and adjust workflows to meet production and turnaround requirements.
• Monitor staffing levels and coordinate shift coverage in accordance with the collective agreement.
• Act as the first point of contact for operational issues and elevate as needed.
• Ensure all testing is conducted according to approved standard operating procedures and industry methods (e.g., American Society of Brewing Chemists standards)
• Verify accuracy and completeness of test results before release.
• Maintain sample integrity and chain-of-custody practices.
• Oversee routine calibration, maintenance, and cleanliness of laboratory equipment
• Ensure adequate inventory of consumables and supplies to support operations.
• Troubleshoot testing or equipment issues to minimize downtime.
• Foster a respectful, collaborative environment.
• Track key operational metrics (turnaround time, backlog, productivity) and provide regular updates to management on lab performance and issues.
• Communicate clearly with production, malting, and quality teams regarding sample status and results.
• Identify and implement practical improvements to workflow, efficiency, and turnaround time.Support standardization of procedures and reduction of variability in testing.
• Participate in audits with a focus on operational readiness.
• Enforce health and safety policies, safe work procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Agriculture, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• 3–5+ years of hands‑on laboratory experience, preferably in grain handling, malting, brewing, or agricultural quality testing
• Previous experience conducting wet chemistry tests, such as protein and moisture analyses
• Previous experience supervising in a laboratory environment is strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of barley and malt quality testing methods is strongly preferred
• Experience operating and troubleshooting common lab instrumentation
• Familiarity with LIMS or production tracking systems is an asset
• Proven ability to manage schedules, resolve conflicts, and maintain fairness and consistency
• Practical, solutions-oriented mindset with a focus on keeping operations running smoothly
• Clear communication and strong organizational skills

Working Conditions

• Laboratory supporting agricultural operations and production cycles
• Exposure to laboratory chemicals
• Shift work and overtime may be required, especially during harvest and peak malting periods