Quality Control Analyst

Red Star Yeast Company LLC; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day-one healthcare

401k with 4% match

11 paid holidays

Vacation time 120 hours/year

disability and more

Job summary

Lesaffre is seeking a Quality Control Analyst in Cedar Rapids, IA to join the Red Star Yeast team. You will apply analytical methods to yeast products, manage lab projects, and assist QC management in laboratory administration.

The role focuses on troubleshooting, testing, and improving product quality while maintaining strict GMP and safety standards. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and mentoring lab staff are key components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or related scientific field.
• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in an analytical laboratory, preferably in GMP-regulated environment.
• Experience with laboratory safety protocols is required.
• Experience in a chemistry lab is required.
• Proven experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting analytical instruments (e.g., HPLC, ICP-OES, auto titrators, nitrogen analyzers, pH meters).
• Experience with laboratory quality systems: writing and revising SOPs, managing maintenance schedules, coordinating with vendors.
• Proficient with MS Office and familiar with LIMS.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and follow procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain unwavering safety-first culture and follow all safety programs.
• Coordinate lab workload including stability, raw materials, finished product, and special requests.
• Prioritize and delegate laboratory testing based on operations needs.
• Train and coordinate activities of technicians as assigned.
• Revise and create SOPs as needed.
• Test materials using instruments like HPLC, ICP-OES, titrators, and pH meters.
• Record and evaluate data for completeness.
• Lead equipment maintenance and vendor relations for the lab.
• Mentor and guide the lab technician team.
• Plan studies and prepare summary reports.

Skills

Safety protocols

Data analysis

SOP writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or related field

Tools

HPLC

ICP-OES

Auto titrators

Nitrogen analyzers

pH meters

Job description

Who we are:

Lesaffre is a key global player in the fermentation of microorganisms (yeasts and bacteria) for baking, taste, healthcare and industrial biotechnology. This story began more than 170 years ago in northern France, and, thanks to our pioneer spirit and our innovative approach, we are constantly developing.

Who we are:

Lesaffre is a key global player in the fermentation of microorganisms (yeasts and bacteria) for baking, taste, healthcare and industrial biotechnology. This story began more than 170 years ago in northern France, and, thanks to our pioneer spirit and our innovative approach, we are constantly developing.

Lesaffre's global presence includes 11,000 employees from 96 nationalities and a 3-billion euro turnover. We work with customers, partners and researchers to develop essential nutrients and bio actives that strengthen human health, optimize animal well-being and improve plant nutrition.

This role is within our Red Star Yeast team. Red Star delivers a range of high-performing yeast and related products that empower bakers and food manufacturers to create consistent, flavorful, and high-quality baked goods. Backed by Lesaffre and Archer Daniels Midland and supported by modern manufacturing facilities in Cedar Rapids, IA and Dothan, AL, our team blends global expertise with local reliability to bring trusted, innovative yeast solutions to the U.S. and Canadian markets.

What we offer:

• Day one healthcare coverage (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
• 401k with 4% match & additional discretionary employer contribution
• 11 paid holidays
• 120 hours of vacation time and 48 hours of sick time annually
• Life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and more!

What you bring to the table:

As the Quality Control Analyst you'll be well versed in analytical methods for yeast and yeast derived products, managing and reporting on projects and lab initiatives, and assisting QC management in the administration of the analytical laboratory. You'll perform testing functions for troubleshooting and training purposes. You'll also solve problems and deal with quality control issues as they occur, making recommendations for immediate corrective action when necessary to ensure optimum product quality by performing the following duties.

What you’ll do as a Quality Control Analyst:

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety-first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs
• Assists in coordination of the workload in lab including stability, raw materials, finished product, and special requests
• Assists in coordinating and delegating laboratory testing by setting priorities based on the needs of operations
• Assists in training and coordinating the activities of other technicians as assigned
• Revises and creates SOPs as needed
• Tests materials as assigned by priority using analytical instrumentation such as pH meter, Risograph, Nitrogen Analyzer, HPLC, ICP-OES, auto titrators, balances, etc.
• Records and evaluates data and documentation for completeness
• Primary resource for lab equipment items, including training, troubleshooting, new instrument implementations, preventative maintenance schedules & vendor management
• Provides guidance, mentoring, and training to laboratory technician team
• Organize and plan studies/projects/new methods, complete required analysis, organize data, complete summary reports
• Performs various housekeeping duties in the lab including disposing of hazardous waste and instrument PM and calibrations
• Complies with safety and GMP requirements
• Perform the necessary functions of the Lab Supervisor as needed
• Interacts with departmental and interdepartmental personnel to solve product issues
• Able to perform all duties of Lab Technicians and can fill in as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Required
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, or related scientific field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in an analytical laboratory, preferably in food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or a related GMP-regulated environment.
• Experience with laboratory safety protocols is required.
• Experience in a chemistry lab is required.
• Proven experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting a variety of analytical instruments (e.g., HPLC, ICP-OES, auto-titrators, nitrogen analyzers, pH meters).
• Experience with laboratory quality systems: writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), managing preventative maintenance schedules, and coordinating with equipment vendors.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office applications and familiar with Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS).
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize a dynamic workload, and maintain accurate and timely test results.
• Must be able to follow written procedures, be organized, precise, observant, efficient, and capable of working with minimal supervision.
• Preferred
• History with analytical method development, validation, and implementation within a laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated experience in training, mentoring and providing technical guidance to lab staff on methods, instrumentation and procedures.

Lesaffre provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.