Quality Control Laboratory Lead

Merit Manufacturing; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Merit Manufacturing, a producer of personal-care products, is seeking a Quality Control Lead to strengthen quality systems, support production teams, and drive continuous improvement. You will review records, investigate issues, and coordinate corrective actions.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree, 1–2 years in QC/QA or production, and strong communication. This is a full-time, on-site position across lab, office, production, and warehouse.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 1–2 years of documentation experience in QC/QA or production.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, production processes, and compliance practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and clear communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, organized SOPs, GMP documentation, audit records, QC logs, and controlled quality documents.
• Support investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and timely communication of batch rejections.
• Partner with R&D on formula changes, recurring adjustments, and out-of-specification results.
• Coordinate laboratory equipment calibration and preventive maintenance, including required records and certificates.
• Coordinate monthly water testing with third-party laboratories.
• Support employee training on GMP, SOPs, operational processes, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain QC/QA supplies, batch folders, bulk product retains, and organized record storage.
• Assign and track form, logbook, change-control, and deviation identifiers.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality processes, strengthen documentation, and reduce manual work through automation.
• Coordinate with Production, R&D, QA, Warehouse, and Operations, providing department coverage as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong organization

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Quality Control Lead

Merit Manufacturing | Full-Time

Build Something That Matters at Merit

At Merit Manufacturing, we bring personal-care products to life—and our people make it happen. Across Research & Development, Quality, Production, and Operations, our teams turn ideas into products customers can trust.

We take our work seriously and make room for fresh ideas, teamwork, and a little fun along the way. We’re constantly looking for better ways to solve problems, strengthen processes, and raise the bar.

As our Quality Control Lead, you’ll have the opportunity to make a visible, measurable difference. Your expertise will help strengthen our quality systems, support our production teams, and improve how we work.

If you naturally spot what others miss, enjoy figuring out how things work, and take pride in getting the details right, we’d love to meet you.

How You’ll Thrive in This Role

You’re curious, analytical, and comfortable digging into detailed information. You ask thoughtful questions, weigh the facts, and turn technical challenges into practical solutions.

You stay close to the work—from reviewing records to following an investigation through corrective action. You bring the organization and self-discipline to manage competing priorities, deliver accurate results, and follow through to completion.

You understand that manufacturing moves quickly, and you know how to balance urgency with accuracy. When a quality concern needs attention, you speak up, explain your reasoning, and work with others to resolve it.

You’ll thrive here if you:

• Look beyond the obvious. Identify patterns, question inconsistencies, and consider potential risks before making decisions.
• Solve problems thoughtfully. Combine technical knowledge with creative thinking to improve processes and prevent recurring issues.
• Take ownership. Work independently, keep priorities organized, and follow details through without constant direction.
• Communicate with precision. Share clear findings, provide specific feedback, and explain the reasoning behind your recommendations.
• Build confidence in the work. Set clear expectations, delegate carefully when needed, and verify that results meet requirements.
• Collaborate across teams. Build productive working relationships while keeping quality standards at the center of your decisions.

What You’ll Do—and What You’ll Bring

Reporting to the Quality Manager / Head of Quality, you’ll support quality-system administration, laboratory readiness, investigations, controlled documentation, and day-to-day QC coordination.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintain accurate, organized SOPs, GMP documentation, audit records, QC logs, and controlled quality documents.
• Support investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and timely communication of batch rejections.
• Partner with R&D on formula changes, recurring adjustments, and out-of-specification results.
• Coordinate laboratory equipment calibration and preventive maintenance, including required records and certificates.
• Coordinate monthly water testing with third-party laboratories.
• Support employee training on GMP, SOPs, operational processes, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain QC/QA supplies, batch folders, bulk product retains, and organized record storage.
• Assign and track form, logbook, change-control, and deviation identifiers.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality processes, strengthen documentation, and reduce manual work through automation.
• Coordinate with Production, R&D, QA, Warehouse, and Operations, providing department coverage as needed.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• One to two years of documentation experience, plus experience in a Quality Control, Quality Assurance, or Production environment.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, production processes, and compliance practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and clear communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and communicate quality concerns confidently.

Preferred experience:

• Technical writing and regulatory documentation.
• Audit preparation and compliance initiatives.
• CIN7 / CORE and laboratory or quality-management tools.

Work environment:

This role works across laboratory, office, production, and warehouse areas, with exposure to chemicals, production materials, and noise. Duties include extended standing, frequent walking, repetitive movements, bending and twisting, and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. Required PPE and safety procedures must be followed. Weekend availability is needed based on operational demands.

Bring your curiosity. Put your expertise to work. Join Team Merit and help us deliver quality our customers can trust.