Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor

Kelly Services; Ottawa (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Package

Full benefits package

Job summary

Kelly Services in Ottawa, IL is seeking an experienced Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor to lead a busy QC team of about 10 chemists across first, second, and weekend shifts. The role blends hands-on laboratory leadership with compliance, CAPA, and continuous improvement.

You will ensure testing accuracy under cGMP and FDA guidelines, review data, support batch releases, and provide real-time guidance to manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or related
• 5+ years of progressive QC or analytical lab experience with supervisory experience
• Experience in personal care, beauty, OTC pharmaceuticals, or regulated manufacturing
• Working knowledge of GMPs, investigations, CAPAs, change controls, audits
• Strong problem-solving, organizational and cross-functional communication skills

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and supervise ~10 QC chemists across multiple shifts
• Oversee in-process, bulk, and finished-product testing and review data
• Lead investigations for OOS results and CAPAs
• Maintain cGMP/sOP compliance and prepare for audits
• Provide real-time technical guidance to manufacturing for batch adjustments
• Maintain instrument calibration and operation of UHPLC, FTIR, and other equipment

Skills

Problem solving

Organizational

Cross-functional communication

Hands-on

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or related

Tools

UHPLC

FTIR

pH meters

Conductivity meters

Viscometers

Centrifuges

Job description

Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor

Location: Ottawa, IL

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Job Status: Direct Hire

Benefits: Full package

Relocation Package - Available

Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000 / year

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and hands‑on Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor to lead laboratory quality activities for a growing manufacturing operation producing personal care, beauty products: hair care, skin and face care, body care and OTC personal hygiene items. In this vital role, you will manage a dedicated laboratory team of approximately 10 Quality Control Chemists operating across first, second, and weekend shifts.

This position blends technical laboratory leadership with people management, compliance oversight, and continuous improvement. If you are a collaborative leader who ensures testing is completed accurately, maintains rigorous GMP/SOP standards, and drives right‑first‑time performance, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• People Leadership & Shift Coordination: Lead, coach, and supervise ~10 QC chemists across multiple shifts. Plan daily lab coverage, balance workloads, coordinate shift handoffs, and manage onboarding, training, and performance reviews.

• Product Quality Oversight: Oversee in-process, bulk, and finished-product testing for hair care, skin care, beauty, and OTC lines. Review analytical data and provide quality dispositions and batch release recommendations.

• Technical Investigations: Lead investigations for out-of-specification (OOS) or atypical results, driving root-cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), and sound scientific resolutions.

• Compliance & Continuous Improvement: Maintain compliance with cGMP, FDA regulations, SOPs, and safety standards. Prepare the lab for internal and regulatory audits while driving efficiencies and error reduction.

• Production Support: Provide real-time technical guidance to manufacturing teams regarding batch adjustments, process deviations, and new product scale-ups.

• Instrument Oversight: Maintain working knowledge of laboratory equipment (including UHPLC, FTIR, pH/conductivity meters, viscometers, and centrifuges) and ensure instruments are properly calibrated and fit for use.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive QC, analytical lab, or manufacturing quality experience, including prior leadership or supervisory experience.

• Industry Background: Experience supporting personal care, beauty, OTC pharmaceuticals, topicals, or a similarly regulated manufacturing environment.

• Technical Knowledge: Working knowledge of GMPs, lab investigations, CAPAs, change controls, audit readiness, and reviewing analytical batch data.

• Skills: Strong problem-solving, organizational, and cross-functional communication skills with a hands‑on, detail‑oriented work ethic.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with UHPLC, FTIR, and standard physical testing methods.

• Familiarity with LIMS, electronic quality management systems, or ERP systems.

• Formal training in root‑cause analysis, Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.

• Prior experience managing multi‑shift or off‑shift/weekend laboratory operations.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly ® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… [continues details same as above]