Regional Lab Manager

Job Purpose:

The North American Regional Laboratory Manager, under the direction of the Quality Director, oversees and manages all aspects of the multiple barley and malt production laboratories. Consistent, timely, and accurate data is paramount to the successful operation of our production facilities; maintaining high-performing laboratory operations and teams are critical for our business overall.    

Essential Duties and Responsibilities includes the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

LABORATORY OVERSIGHT (~35%):

• Direct oversight of 3 malt and 2 barley laboratories. This includes direct management and scheduling of up to 10 laboratory technicians.
• Coordination with 1 malt and 1 barley laboratories in Mexico. The Quality Supervisor in Mexico provides the direct management of up to 4 laboratory technicians.
• Ensuring accurate and reliable data at all times, utilizing resources such as daily ring samples, instrumentation standards, collaborative studies in a transparent documented fashion
• Ensuring all instrumentation at all locations is in good working order, necessary preventative maintenance scheduled, and calibrations current, verified, validated.
• Conducting thorough Root Cause Analysis when instrumentation or analytical deviations are noted
• Ensure analytical plan is implemented and followed across all sites
• Documentation Organization to keep all documents current and accessible

 TEAM DEVELOPMENT (~35%):

• Ensure proper training and support for all Laboratory team members
  • Safety, Good Lab Practices, Food Safety, Company Policies along with tasks’ proficiency
• Provide consistent, productive feedback to team members individually and as a team
  • Includes documented mid-year and annual performance reviews
• Explore and provide developmental opportunities for the team to expand knowledge and skill sets
  • Includes examples such as barley grading, malting process, soft skills, leadership training

STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION (20%):

• Development and routine internal stakeholder communication of Laboratory Key Performance Indicators
• Development and presentation of customer-facing information

PLANNING and INNOVATION (~10%)

• Development and execution of instrumentation and analytical capabilities, with considerations to customer and internal stakeholders, industry standards, cost evaluations
• Support R&D initiatives of all functions

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or other science related field
• 10+ years in Laboratory roles, 7+ years in Manufacturing settings, 5+ of Laboratory Management
  • Previous multi-site experience an advantage
• Proven track record of successful team management
• Experience managing teams remotely
• Proven practical application of Statistical Process Controls
• Proven ability to work nimbly and adapt in a production environment
• Results-driven with excellent communication, analytical, and decision making skills
• Ability to prioritize, address, and mitigate any potential issues independently
• Strong understanding of Good Laboratory Practices
• Previous experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems
  • Previous implementation experience an advantage
• Strong proficiency in MS Programs
• Ability to travel Canada, USA, Mexico up to 35%
• Experience with ERP systems; preferably SAP
• Practical knowledge of barley biochemistry an advantage
• Customer facing communication experience an advantage
• Malting and/or brewing experience an advantage
• Living or willing to relocate to Great Falls, Montana (preferably), Winona Minesota, or Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada