Quality Assurance Supervisor

JOB TITLE:QA Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Quality Assurance

REPORTS TO: QA Manager

LOCATION:Cranston, RI

SHIFT: 1 st Shift

Benefits & Perks

Finlays Solutions is committed to supporting the career advancement and wellbeing of our employees. We offer a range of comprehensive benefits, including a wellness program, learning and development allowance, and opportunities for mentorship and job shadowing, designed to support both personal and professional growth. We encourage continuous learning, collaboration, and the exploration of new skills and career pathways, helping you build a global network and thrive within an inclusive, supportive environment in our organization.

Other Employee Benefits Include

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Company Matching
• Eligibility for Monthly / Annual Bonuses
• Paid Time Off (PTO) plus 10 Paid Holidays and Paid Volunteer Days Off
• Volunteer / Community Involvement
  
  

Description

The QA Supervisor is a member of the site Quality leadership team, reporting to the site Quality Manager. This role is responsible for the delivery of tactical activities and programs that directly impact plant operations. The role is accountable for assuring Food Safety and Quality and all related activities including delivery of reliable quality data as part of Quality Control, leading the Laboratory team to deliver results efficiently, liaising with internal and external customers, and engaging with other functions on site regarding quality. This position is pivotal for our 1FO program, in the support and participation of production reviews/meetings and the delivery of quality analyses for improvement projects and quality monitoring.

About Us

Since 1750, Finlays Solutions has been the trusted leader in supplying tea, coffee, and botanical extracts to the world’s leading beverage brands. Focused on delivering exceptional beverage solutions, we empower our customers to create moments of joy with every sip. Our team is built on values of acting for the long-term, taking accountability, doing better each time, and succeeding together. When you join us, you're not just taking on a job; you're becoming part of a customer-centric culture driven by collaboration, expertise, and innovation. If you're looking for a place to grow, share your ideas, and make an impact, we’d love to have you on our team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the quality control laboratory by:
• Ensuring adequate equipment and consumables for execution of daily quality control analytical and sensory activities.
• Assuring repeatability, reproducibility, and reliability of laboratory data aligned with the Finlays Advanced Analytical Strategy, including participation in the 1Finlays Ring testing program and Microbiology PT Scheme.
• Assuring compliance to protocols, standards, and methods, and taking corrective action to address non-compliance.
• Planning resources and tasks in the laboratory to ensure continuity in the service to plant operations.
• Driving training and competence programs to ensure that laboratory personnel perform to the highest standard.
• Ensuring the application of GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) such as management of equipment service and repair, calibration and metrological compliance, and health and safety protocols.
• Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment as promoted through our internal safety programs, in compliance with all required local policies, procedures and programs.
• Ensure the protection of Laboratory resources through the development and adherence to an equipment maintenance strategy, ensuring maintenance, calibration programs, and the correct use of chemicals to drive long life of instruments.
• Providing support for the Quality team to ensure business continuity in the service provided to Operations.
• Deliver to internal customers by:
• Generating and communicating daily, weekly, and monthly records and reports that support operations with establishing the status of site quality.
• Communicating out-of-specification results to stakeholders in a timely manner that allows risk management and mitigation. This includes accurate and timely communication on Cost of Non-Conformance using internal logs and trackers.
• Supporting, where appropriate, the resolution of the out of specification results, collaborating with Operations/Manufacturing in resolution of these.
• Developing and monitoring quality and environmental monitoring plans that identify all quality control analyses through the process, from incoming raw materials inspection through to final product. This includes the management of CTQs (Critical to Quality) and CCPs (Critical Control Points), through monitoring and providing timely feedback to operations daily.
• Providing support as a member of the HACCP team on site.
• Attending functional meetings to discuss quality and provide feedback on areas for improvement.
• Analyzing quality data for trends and insights that support minimizing non-compliance and maximizing quality improvement opportunities.
• Providing support for the development, maintenance, execution and improvement of quality and food safety documentation (including policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines).
• Liaise with external customers and suppliers by:
• Providing timely and accurate CoA’s aligned to internal standards.
• Supporting investigations into customer complaints.
• Establishing good working relationships with laboratory customers and suppliers by engaging regularly in a professional and constructive manner.
• Where required communicating and providing input and feedback in a timely manner.
• Support the 1FO (WCM) program, to reduce waste and target a zero-defect culture, through active participation in:
• Process mapping, value stream mapping and other programs that identify Critical to Quality (CTQs) and Quality Control points (QCPs) in the process and developing Quality Control plans for monitoring.
• Participating in Root Cause Problem Solving (RCPS), leading laboratory RCPS and supporting production problem solving, using problem solving tools and toolkits to conduct basic and intermediate problem solving.
• Establishing corrective actions and building solutions that sustainably address non-conformances.
• Participate in Continuous Improvement projects in Quality and Production, through the provision of subject matter expertise in laboratory and analytical measurement.
• Lead and manage human resources by:
• Setting objectives and deliverables in conjunction with direct reports, conducting the one on ones, Performance reviews, and PDPs as required.
• Creating a workplace climate that promotes the Company values, strong morale, and spirit.
• Lead ongoing individual development through the Quality Competency Acquisition process (CAP) for identified team members, ensuring multiskilling and personal development where appropriate.
• Provide challenging tasks and assignments for the team and hold each member accountable for delivery.
• Resolve conflicts by being vigilant, good at listening, mediating disagreement, and being willing to make tough decisions.
  
  
Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Degree in a science-related field.
• Qualifications
• Laboratory auditing.
• HACCP Level 2.
• Laboratory skills and knowledge
• Able to instruct personnel and conduct analytical analyses (expert).
• Able to instruct personnel and conduct microbiological analyses (expert).
• Expert knowledge of laboratory health and safety practices related to toxic substances, chemical, reagents and safe working practices.
• Manage laboratory equipment maintenance and calibration and plan for replacement and redundancy.
• Able to lead method validation and verification, including participation in Laboratory Ring Tests.
• Expert knowledge of laboratory techniques and practices (e.g., sampling, weighing, pipetting, titrating, etc.)
• Have knowledge of the requirements for ISO17025 Laboratory accreditation, preferably with experience for implementation.
• Be proficient in managing laboratory data and documentation storage and retrieval.
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Proficiency in using data analysis tools (such as Excel) to analyse data for trends and patterns.
• Have a working knowledge of basic statistics (means, median, standard deviation, range, SPC) and be able to apply this to laboratory data.
• Quality and Food Safety systems
• Knowledge of quality and food safety management systems and its applicability to the quality control function.
• Knowledge of regulatory and legal requirements.
• Preferably have experience in the use of Laboratory IS systems e.g., LIMS, SAP QA, or experience in laboratory data management and retrieval.
• Problem solving
• Be able to use problem solving tools to conduct basic and intermediate problem solving.
• Skills and Experience
• 3-5 years Laboratory management experience.
• Experience in the Food & Beverage industry would be an advantage.
• Proficient in MS Office.
• Able to communicate in English both verbally and written.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Leaderships Competencies
• Agile in responding to new situations.
• Able to plan and organize self and others.
• Be results oriented and solution driven.
• Able to prioritize and set targets.
• Behaviors
• Be passionate about Quality.
• Customer-focused.
• Self-motivated.
• Able to lead and influence.
• Team-oriented.
• Assertive and confident.
• Detail-oriented to provide highly accurate records and reports.
• High level of organization.
• Values
• Innovative - Always looking for opportunities to improve and “do things better”.
• Sustainable - Provide solutions for the long term.
• Trusted – Takes accountability for own and department’s performance.
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: [List the critical details of this section from the job description.]

• Work Environment: Primarily laboratory and plant floor setting within a food manufacturing facility
• Exposure to chemicals, reagents, and toxic substances requiring adherence to GLP and safety protocols
• Fast-paced production environment with daily interaction across Operations, Quality, and cross-functional teams
• May require presence across multiple sites (San Antonio, TX and Lincoln, RI)
• Use of standard office equipment and laboratory information systems (LIMS, SAP QA, MS Office)
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the plant floor and laboratory for extended periods
• Occasional lifting of laboratory supplies, equipment, or samples (up to 25–30 lbs)
• Manual dexterity required for laboratory techniques such as pipetting, weighing, and titrating
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, gloves, and lab coat
• Ability to work in varying temperature environments consistent with food manufacturing operations
  
  

Equal Opportunity Statement

Finlays Solutions is an equal employment opportunity employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Finlays Solutions employs individuals that are 18 years of age or older.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.