What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lab Manager position at Request Foods?
There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.
Request Foods is seeking a Lab Manager. In this role your primary mission is to protect the health and well-being of consumers by ensuring the highest standards of hygiene, sanitation, and food safety are consistently maintained within the manufacturing facility. This vital role combines technical expertise, leadership, and a proactive approach to risk management, requiring a passionate commitment to both science and the practice of food safety.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Leading a team of Lab Technicians to ensure testing is completed in a manner and frequency that will drive accurate and timely results
- The implementation and management of the Request Foods microbiology lab environment ensuring good lab techniques are being employed by Microbiologists
- Review and approve lab results prior to release of finished goods
- Investigate out of specification results and collaborate with cross functional teams on corrective and preventative actions
- Manage a risk based environmental monitoring program
- Developing and managing the execution of the validation of sanitation
- Managing third party microbiological testing programs
- Trending and reporting of micro results to drive business decisions and continuous improvement across the company
- Providing subject matter expert guidance and support to the supplier management programs
- Lead initiatives to improve laboratory efficiency, accuracy, and cost effectiveness while maintaining the integrity of the programs
- Sourcing and maintaining lab equipment at all facilities
- Ensuring all documentation meets regulatory, certification requirements, and customer requirements
- Collaborating with the Quality Services, Manufacturing, Maintenance and Sanitation Teams, along with regulatory agencies, to achieve compliance and mitigate risk.
- Assist in certification, customer and regulatory audits
Key Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Biochemistry or Microbiology required.
- 10 years in food manufacturing with the majority of the years in the lab but may be supplemented with experience in quality assurance
- Demonstrated success leading a team
- Knowledge of current USDA/FDA regulations
- Experience with external audits
- Experience with LIMS systems or other data analysis programs
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Possessing a high level of personal initiative and motivation
Benefits and Perks:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 401k
- Paid Paternity Leave
- Wellbeing programs
- Immediate Holiday Pay
- Paid Time Off
- Profit Sharing