Laboratory Operations Leader & Quality Excellence

South Chicago Packing LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental benefits

Discretionary bonus up to 15%

401(k) with matching up to 4%

120 hours PTO

Job summary

South Chicago Packing LLC seeks a Laboratory Manager to lead daily lab operations, ensure testing reliability, and support product release. You will direct lab staff, maintain procedures, and manage calibration and data controls, partnering with FSQA, Operations, Maintenance, and external labs to strengthen systems.

You will drive method development, validation, and process improvements while sustaining audit readiness and GMP compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, food science, biological science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive laboratory/quality experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Knowledge of analytical chemistry, testing, method validation/verification, calibration, data integrity, and investigations.
• Experience maintaining laboratory procedures, training records, GMP, and CAPA systems.
• Familiarity with food manufacturing quality systems, HACCP, audits, and product release.
• Experience using LIMS or similar systems, MS Office, and electronic document-management systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication and risk-based decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Plan daily laboratory workload, staffing, schedules, and priorities.
• Lead, coach, and develop laboratory staff with training and competency assessments.
• Maintain laboratory procedures, records, sample retention, housekeeping, and audit readiness.
• Manage laboratory supplies, inventory, service needs, and annual budget.
• Oversee testing and product-release support; review results and COAs; escalate nonconforming results.
• Own calibration, maintenance, and service records for lab equipment.
• Lead development and validation of methods and process validations; support new equipment testing.
• Maintain LIMS and data controls; monitor KPIs and trends; suggest preventive actions.
• Support product specs, development testing, and critical attributes.

Skills

Clear written and verbal communication

Decision making

People leadership

Attention to detail

Priority management

Continuous improvement

Technical judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry/food science/biological science

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

Electronic quality / document-management systems

Job description

South Chicago Packing LLC seeks a Laboratory Manager to lead daily lab operations, ensure testing reliability, and support product release. You will direct lab staff, maintain procedures, and manage calibration and data controls, partnering with FSQA, Operations, Maintenance, and external labs to strengthen systems.

You will drive method development, validation, and process improvements while sustaining audit readiness and GMP compliance.