LAB SUPERVISOR

Associated Milk Producers Inc; Blair (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401(k) plan

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is seeking a QA/ Lab Technician to uphold food safety and quality standards across manufacturing operations.

You will perform sampling, testing, and documentation in accordance with SOPs and regulatory requirements, supporting environmental and product testing programs. The role requires strong attention to detail, proficiency with lab equipment and data recording, and collaboration with QA teams and regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor's in biology/science preferred.
• Minimum 3 years lab experience or 5 years food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of QA, safety and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Report safety, food safety and quality issues to authority.
• Maintain heightened food safety and quality responsibilities.
• Perform testing per SOPs for microbes, intake screening, residues, and water quality.
• Coordinate and document QA testing and COA data.
• Work with inspectors and regulators to ensure compliance.
• Calibrate equipment and supervise lab activities.

Skills

Laboratory testing

QA/QC

Regulatory compliance

Safety training

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a science field

High School diploma

Associate degree in Biology

Tools

LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)

Calibration equipment

Job description

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese and processed cheese is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled cheesemakers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time:

1. All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.
2. This position has a heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities.
3. Fulfill requirements needed for testing certifications required by State and Federal agencies as outlined in the PMO. Train employees on these same requirements as needed.
4. Responsible for testing procedures and documentation of microbial, daily intake screening, drug residues, dairy water supplies, and adulteration of raw milk product.
5. Review, format, and implementation for continued monitoring and training of respective personnel conducting analysis for this facility.
6. Work with state inspectors, regulatory officials and lab evaluation officers for compliance of testing protocols.
7. Ongoing calibration monitoring of specific testing equipment utilized in this facility.
8. Manage communication to co-manufacturing partners on QC/lab results and data for in process and finished product testing.
9. Work with QA Manager on clearing and addressing issues in Co-manufacturing partners hold log for products.
10. Participate and lead finished product sensory testing and evaluation. Coaching on standard metrics for evaluation to the lab and cheese making team.
11. Help evaluate necessary quality records for hold release of finished goods.
12. Perform sanitation procedures according to requirements.
13. Responsible for the coordination and compiling of test analysis for COA's as needed.
14. Ability to change, learn, and adapt to required changes within the AMPI system.
15. Ensure compliance with all company rules and regulations.
16. Issue corrective disciplines when needed.
17. Prepare environmental samples, collect swabs, and follow up with corrective actions, as needed.
18. Responsible for supervising the Enviromap Program, scheduling swabs, monitoring results, and implementing corrective actions to meet plant requirements.
19. Responsible for assisting with the implementation and maintenance of FSMA, PCQI, and SQF food safety and quality systems.
20. Order lab supplies.
21. Execute required tests on finished products according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and customer requirements.
22. Execute required tests on incoming ingredients according to the Quality Monitoring Scheme (QMS).
23. Support investigations on improvement projects (e.g., holds, customer complaints), help to identify root causes, and help to identify corrective actions and monitor for effectiveness.
24. Organize laboratory records and files. Ensure compliance to procedures and work instructions.
25. Ensure correct recording of laboratory and quality records in compliance with SOPs including storage and retrieval of records.
26. Supervisor laboratory activities to ensure that a high quality of products, services, housekeeping, and hygiene standards are maintained and improved in laboratory and other analytical areas.
27. Supervisor laboratory compliance (calibration, equipment testing, etc.) to SQF and AMPI requirements.
28. Support improvement initiatives (e.g., complaints, holds) for facility.
29. Build and maintain strong working relationships with brand owner leadership teams to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
30. Build a partnership with brand owner leadership teams, ensuring best-in-class safety, quality, service, and cost performance.
31. Other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma with a minimum of 3 years laboratory experience or High School diploma with a minimum of 5 years food manufacturing experience or Bachelor's Degree

BENEFITS/REWARDS

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Military service members, veterans, and qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Education

Associates of Biology (preferred)
High School (required)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.