Full Buy & Product Quality Lead

About The Group

From a small store in Turin to a large, internationally recognized group: we are present in 90 countries around the world, with over 5,000 employees and 30 companies, managed directly and indirectly by the Luigi Lavazza Spa parent company, which distribute and market our products and coffee machines. In addition to Lavazza, the following brands are also part of our Group: Carte Noire, Merrild, Kicking Horse, Eraclea and Whittington tea.

Joining Lavazza means doing business with passion, knowing that the impact of our work goes beyond the quality of the production chain. We are a big family and are constantly looking for new talents who share our values and can enrich our team. We combine competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility as we create superior quality products available for consumption both at home and out of home, and distributed through all channels: Retail, Foodservice, Office Coffee Service (OCS), and Vending. Our strong, diversified presence enables us to offer consumers and clients perfectly suited solutions, for any occasion and time of day.

Job Overview

The Full Buy & Product Quality Lead serves as a critical gatekeeper of product performance, ensuring that all products meet rigorous standards for safety, quality, and technical compliance. This role will lead quality verification efforts for both new and existing products, leveraging scientific methods and statistical analysis to deliver robust, data-driven insights.

As the Lead within the Product Quality (PQ) Laboratory, this individual will prioritize tasks, delegate effectively, and guide the team in executing high-impact analyses. The PQ Lab supports product development and continuous improvement by providing actionable data that informs product launches and optimizations.

Location: West Chester, PA

Work model: Onsite

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert in statistical analysis and risk assessment to evaluate food system performance and ensure product integrity.
• Lead technical testing and laboratory operations, managing workload, priorities, and team performance to meet quality standards and timelines.
• Develop and present data-driven recommendations to cross-functional teams, offering technical solutions to improve product quality and food safety.
• Represent the voice of the customer by conducting benchmark testing, defect classification, and establish performance targets for new and existing products.
• Support consumer complaint investigations and field issue resolution by collaborating with manufacturing teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Continuously improve laboratory methodologies and uphold rigorous testing protocols by staying current with industry standards and best practices.
• Define, verify, and validate test methods and equipment to ensure reliable, repeatable results in product development.
• Build and manage relationships with internal and external laboratories (e.g., R&D, third-party, UK/IT) to expand testing capabilities and support business growth.
• Apply advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving skills to resolve complex product quality challenges.
• Follow the New Product Development (NPD) process, including benchmarking, establishing baselines, setting quality targets.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (e.g. Production, R&D, Customer Care, Quality) to align product specifications and quality requirements across coffee machines, food, and promotional items.
• Maintain accurate records of product quality activities, performance trends, and improvement recommendations.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics, providing insights and reports to senior management.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the role through professional development and support of strategic initiatives.
  
  
  

Professional Qualifications

• Degree from an accreditted institution, science-based or related field
• 2 years working in quality related field
• Experience with laboratory techniques and equipment
• Computer/quality systems background
• Experience with computer systems and statistical software (preferably Excel, Power BI, Minitab)
• Skilled at technical report writing
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Knowledge and understanding of manufacturing systems
• Investigative problem-solving skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Self-motivated
• Strong attention to detail
  
  
  

Benefits/Perks

• Competitive Medical, Vision, Dental Benefits
• 401K Package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Hybrid Work Schedule
• Ability to be barista certified
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Performance Development Plans
• Employee Discounts
• Summer Friday’s (Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend)
• Flexible business casual dress code - jean friendly!
• Free coffee, anytime!
  
  
  

Lavazza is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Lavazza prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.