Beverage QA Lead: Lab & Plant Operations

Krier Beverage; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Krier Beverage seeks a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the day-to-day QA at our Random Lake facility, focusing on laboratory management, testing, quality systems, and product release. The role partners with Operations to ensure quality and safety on the production floor.

The ideal candidate balances hands-on laboratory leadership with real-time production support, driving CAPA and ensuring accurate documentation and regulatory compliance across GMPs, HACCP, and Kosher standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Quality, or related field.
• 3+ years in quality assurance/quality control within beverage or related manufacturing.
• HACCP and PCQI certifications preferred; willing to complete required training within 12 months of hire.
• Laboratory experience with hands-on testing, documentation, and quality data review.
• Experience working with manufacturing/Operations teams in a plant environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills; attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Quality Assurance at the single facility.
• Manage plant laboratory staffing, testing priorities, equipment, calibration, and documentation.
• Ensure raw material, in-process, finished product, packaging, and environmental testing on schedule.
• Develop, implement and maintain SOPs for laboratory operations and training.
• Oversee laboratory methods, test procedures, specifications, sampling plans, and records.
• Partner with Operations to monitor quality and drive timely corrective actions.
• Establish quality expectations for production employees and ensure adherence on the plant floor.
• Ensure compliance with GMPs, HACCP, Kosher, and all applicable regulations.
• Coordinate holds/releases, CAPA, and investigations for deviations.
• Maintain quality documentation, certificates of analysis, and audit-ready records.
• Support customer audits and regulatory inspections as needed.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Quality data review

Analytical problem-solving

Operations collaboration

Documentation accuracy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Quality, or related field

Job description

Krier Beverage seeks a Quality Assurance Manager to lead the day-to-day QA at our Random Lake facility, focusing on laboratory management, testing, quality systems, and product release. The role partners with Operations to ensure quality and safety on the production floor.

The ideal candidate balances hands-on laboratory leadership with real-time production support, driving CAPA and ensuring accurate documentation and regulatory compliance across GMPs, HACCP, and Kosher standards.