North America Laboratory Capabilities Leader

Barry Callebaut Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid time off

Workplace flexibility

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Barry Callebaut Group is seeking a Regional Laboratory Capabilities Lead to shape strategy and oversee lab operations across North America (Canada, USA, Mexico). You will drive process improvements, implement audits, and align data management with quality systems to ensure consistent, compliant testing.

The role requires hands-on laboratory experience, leadership, and travel up to 50%. A relevant degree and ISO 17025 familiarity are preferred.

Qualifications

• Hands-on laboratory testing experience.
• Experience leading and managing food testing laboratories.
• Experience leading external audits.
• Formal training and certification in ISO 17025 Laboratory Management System and Laboratory Audit Systems (preferred).
• Strong laboratory management and data analysis skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, analytical ability, leadership strengths and ability to work effectively with a team.
• Willingness to travel within the region on a regular basis (approx. 30%, up to 50% during initial rollout and peak audit periods).

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute audits of internal and external microbiology laboratories per ISO17025, GLP and internal standards.
• Ensure CAPA follow-up and consolidate audit data; oversee audit program performance.
• Develop and implement regional laboratory strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Lead standardization of micro, physical and chemical lab processes; optimize workflows and data management.
• Ensure laboratories operate in compliance with regulations, safety standards and quality protocols.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, Global Quality, R&D, operations and QA teams to integrate lab efforts into business strategy.
• Build training programs for lab personnel; support lab managers in performance and compliance.
• Implement KPIs to track lab performance and drive data‑driven decisions.
• Lead regional lab projects from conception to implementation; deliver timely results.
• Optimize resource allocation and budgeting with focus on cost savings.
• Oversee lab quality and data management systems such as SAP, QNECT, OPUS NIR, Rheometer, LIMs and APOLLO.
• Act as SME for microbiological and analytical testing programmes, safety and maintenance.
• Understand statistics and lab analytics terms like repeatability, reproducibility, variance.
• Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Champion adoption of new technologies and modernization in labs.

Skills

Lab management

External audits

ISO 17025

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science or equivalent

Tools

LIMS

SAP

QNECT

OPUS NIR

Rheometer

APOLLO

Job description

Barry Callebaut Group is seeking a Regional Laboratory Capabilities Lead to shape strategy and oversee lab operations across North America (Canada, USA, Mexico). You will drive process improvements, implement audits, and align data management with quality systems to ensure consistent, compliant testing.

The role requires hands-on laboratory experience, leadership, and travel up to 50%. A relevant degree and ISO 17025 familiarity are preferred.