Quality Assurance Manager – Dairy Manufacturing | Cabot, VT

Location: Cabot, Vermont 05647

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Experience Level: Mid-Level Management

Reports To: Quality Assurance Director

Base Salary: $96,000–$106,000

Annual Incentive: Based on Company and Individual Performance

Relocation Assistance: Partial Assistance Available

Travel: Not Required

Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Lead Food Safety and Quality for an Award-Winning Dairy Operation

A respected, farmer-owned dairy manufacturer is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead food safety, quality assurance and laboratory operations at its manufacturing facility in Cabot, Vermont.

This position is responsible for ensuring that cheese and cultured dairy products consistently meet customer, regulatory and internal quality standards. The Quality Assurance Manager will lead the site’s QA team, maintain critical food-safety systems and oversee laboratory testing, regulatory compliance, audits, environmental monitoring and continuous-improvement activities.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership opportunity within a 24/7 manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will combine strong dairy or food-manufacturing expertise with an excellent understanding of microbiology, HACCP, SQF, sanitation and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance Leadership

• Lead the plant’s food-safety and quality-assurance function.

• Directly manage the QA Supervisor and Plant Sanitarian.

• Provide indirect supervision and technical leadership to laboratory technicians.

• Develop team capabilities through coaching, training and performance feedback.

• Ensure appropriate QA and laboratory staffing across a 24/7 production environment.

• Promote a culture of accountability, food safety, continuous improvement and operational excellence.

• Partner with Production, Sanitation, Maintenance, Supply Chain and plant leadership.

Food-Safety Systems

• Develop, maintain and continuously improve the plant’s food-safety and quality systems.

• Administer HACCP, SQF, GMP, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, food defence, pest control, sanitation, allergen prevention, product traceability and recall-readiness programmes.

• Serve as the site’s primary SQF Practitioner.

• Ensure food-safety programmes remain current, documented and effectively implemented.

• Interpret and implement applicable regulatory requirements.

Laboratory and Dairy Product Quality

• Oversee testing of raw milk, manufactured products and plant samples.

• Manage laboratory staffing, methods, supplies, equipment calibration, documentation and facility standards.

• Maintain State-Certified Producer Testing Laboratory requirements.

• Review test results, address exceptions and report trends to plant and quality leadership.

• Provide technical quality expertise for cheese and cultured dairy products.

• Oversee in-process and finished-product testing.

• Maintain Hold, Release, Rework and Reject programmes, with authority for final product-disposition decisions.

Audits, Environmental Monitoring and CAPA

• Lead customer, SQF, FDA, USDA, state regulatory, Kosher, Halal and third-party audits.

• Prepare documentation, corrective-action plans and follow-up evidence.

• Maintain continual audit readiness.

• Manage the pathogen environmental-monitoring programme.

• Lead investigations into out-of-specification findings.

• Develop, manage and verify corrective and preventive actions.

Recall, Complaints and Documentation

• Maintain the plant’s recall manual and execute mock recalls and traceability exercises.

• Manage consumer and customer complaint programmes.

• Conduct structured root-cause analysis and coordinate corrective actions.

• Develop and maintain QA policies, procedures and records.

• Deliver HACCP, SQF, GMP, food-safety, hygienic handling and sanitation training.

• Develop and report quality metrics and KPIs.

• Support continuous-improvement initiatives and measurable gains in quality and reliability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology or another relevant scientific discipline.

• At least five years of experience within food manufacturing or dairy production.

• At least five years of management or senior supervisory experience.

• Strong technical knowledge of cheese and cultured dairy products.

• Excellent understanding of food microbiology, food science, HACCP, SQF or an equivalent certification system, GMP and sanitation.

• Experience implementing QA metrics and KPIs.

• Experience leading food-safety, quality or regulatory programmes in manufacturing.

• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing and quality-control processes.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, leadership and communication skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word and Windows-based applications.

• Ability to work onsite in Cabot and accommodate flexible hours when operationally necessary.

• Current authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• HACCP certification.

• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual certification.

• SQF Practitioner or related SQF certification.

• Experience leading SQF, FDA, USDA or state regulatory audits.

• Experience maintaining a certified dairy or producer-testing laboratory.

• Environmental-monitoring and pathogen-control experience.

• Experience managing Kosher or Halal certification.

• Continuous-improvement, project-management, root-cause analysis and CAPA experience.

• Experience within a 24/7 cheese or cultured-dairy manufacturing operation.

The Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will demonstrate successful QA leadership within dairy or complex food manufacturing, strong knowledge of cheese, cultured products and raw-milk testing, ownership of HACCP, SQF and GMP programmes, leadership of regulatory and customer audits, and experience managing environmental monitoring, complaints, corrective actions and plant-quality metrics.

Work Environment

This role operates within an active dairy-manufacturing and laboratory environment. Conditions may include fluctuating temperatures, production noise and required personal protective equipment. The position involves frequent sitting, standing and walking, along with occasional climbing, stooping, kneeling or crouching. Candidates must be able to lift objects weighing up to approximately 45 pounds when required.

Culture and Benefits

The organization is a farmer-owned cooperative built around family, sustainability, integrity, teamwork, respect and pride in producing high-quality dairy products.

The comprehensive benefits package may include medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, wellness and assistance programmes, professional-development opportunities and an annual performance-based incentive.

Interview Process

• Microsoft Teams interview with People and Culture.

• Microsoft Teams interview with organizational leadership.

• Onsite plant tour and team meeting for final candidates.

Equal Opportunity

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without discrimination based on any status protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Lab Manager, Microbiology - Boston, MA - $100,000 - $135,000

Lab Manager, Microbiology

Boston, MA

$100,000 - $135,000

Job Description

Under the general direction of the Administrative Director, and in collaboration with the Chief of Laboratory Medicine and Section Medical Director, leads, manages, monitors, implements and supervises testing quality and compliance standards in the department of pathology & laboratory medicine at our hospital and for affiliated community health centers (CHCs) as required. Manages a sub-specialty section for the Laboratory (Blood Bank and Transfusion Services, Central Receiving Area, Chemistry, Hematology, Phlebotomy).  Ensures maintenance of standards that meet or exceed those required for College of American Pathologist (CAP) and The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation and other external agencies (such as AABB, DPH). Champions RESPECT values.

Position: Laboratory Manager,    

Department: Microbiology Lab  

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Leadership

·        Manages and leads a sub-specialty section of the Laboratory (including but not limited to one of the following: Blood Bank and Transfusion Services, Central Receiving Area, Chemistry, Hematology, Phlebotomy).

·        Assumes full responsibility for all laboratory staff in their section and their actions

·        Champions a laboratory and point-of-care environment that promotes quality and compliance for all laboratory related tests and services, to ensure patient and employee safety and satisfaction.

·        Provides 24/7 call coverage.

·        Contributes to and supports department Strategic Planning.

·        Provides a technically sound environment to optimize the quality of laboratory services, including maintenance of equipment, evaluation of new equipment and test assays.

·        Exhibits innovation in planning improvements, promoting new programs and problem solving in area of responsibility.

·        Values and responds to customer feedback by taking corrective action or improving suboptimal services.

·        In accordance with department expectations responds to emails in a timely manner.

·        Exercises good judgment skills to effectively articulate organizational values and to foster a cooperative spirit among the staff with regard to people within and outside the department.

Fiscal Responsibility

·        Takes full fiscal responsibility for section, including but not limited to: preparing and managing an operating budget, managing staffing expenses and overtime (OT), capital budget, analyzing billing codes, preparing return on investment business analysis, fully supporting the revenue integrity of the Laboratory including accurate charges, billing and collections. Continually audits test billing codes to ensure accuracy. Continually monitors overtime to achieve goal of <1.8% OT.

·        Contributes to departmental goals of improving cost effectiveness, optimization of resources and revenue enhancement.

·        Updates all equipment maintenance and service agreements in collaboration with the Supply Chain department.

Quality, Compliance and Safety

·        Ensures quality and compliance data is collected, analyzed, reviewed and disseminated in accordance with the requirements of accrediting agencies, particularly the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Patient Quality and Safety department.

·        Ensures all STARS Incident Safety reports are followed up to completion in a timely manner. Informs Administrative Director in detail regarding STARS reports of level C or higher.  Works with Quality and Compliance coordinator to prepare reports for Quality Improvement Program (QuIP) monthly reviews.

·        Ensures ongoing compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies for department section (including but not limited to: CLIA, TJC, OSHA, DPH, HCFA, FDA, AABB, NCCLS).

·        Participates in hospital-wide Quality Assurance Program as designed by regulatory agencies, by the Quality and Patient Safety Department or by the departmental/sectional Quality Assurance Policies.

·        Participates in planning, data collection, monitoring evaluation and action on assigned projects within agreed upon time frames.  This includes appropriate turnaround time studies and program logs as described in the departmental/sectional policy.

·        Supports technical staff throughout the department in management of Quality Control and Quality Assurance data in accordance with the Quality Control Policies of the department.

·        Maintains updated Policy and Procedure Manuals using the NCCLS format in compliance with regulatory agencies ensuring documentation of Supervisor and Medical Director review annually and at revision.  Review performed according to schedule determined by the Manager and Medical Director.

·        Ensures familiarity with and proper usage of all required safety equipment.

·        Demonstrates a concern for patient safety and welfare and a commitment to the mission of the company.

·        Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.

·        Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

·        Ensures that the section enrolls in Proficiency Surveys appropriate for the scope of laboratory services. Analyzes the results and technical performance of these Proficiency Surveys in accordance with Lab Medicine policies. Makes corrective action recommendations and implements corrective action as required.

Technical Expertise

·        Utilizing scientific experience and expertise, provides appropriate guidance and/or resolution for problems (i.e., problems involving analytic instrumentation equipment, tests systems clinical correlation, therapeutic decision making, backup systems, and system performance).

·        Plans, evaluates and implements new or different methodologies and technology that enhance or expand laboratory services.

·        Reviews (monthly) documentation that all equipment and instrumentation are properly maintained and in good working order.  Ensures that appropriate maintenance and service contracts are in place.

·        Utilizing scientific experience and expertise, provides appropriate guidance and/or resolution for problems (i.e., problems involving analytic instrumentation equipment, tests systems clinical correlation, therapeutic decision making, backup systems, and system performance).

Human Resources

·        Provides oversight for the interview process by coordinating candidate selection with input from hospital staff, such as Human Resources personnel, the Medical Director of the Laboratory Section, and the Technical Staff.  Determines selection of the appropriate candidate to maintain desired staff in accordance with departmental specifications for the position(s) being considered.

·        Recommends salary rates for new employees while maintaining intra-departmental fairness

·        Provides oversight for the orientation of all testing personnel to ensure that they can effectively perform procedures in accordance with laboratory standards.

·        Provides oversight of the counseling and disciplinary action process by coordinating activities with input from hospital staff, such as Human Resources personnel, the Medical Director of the Laboratory section, Technical Group Leader and other personnel as needed.  Executes disciplinary action consistent with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.  Documents as required.

·        Embraces the Performance Management Process by providing on-going feed-back to staff and written annual evaluations.

·        Establishes and documents a regimen for assuring the on-going proficiency of the technical staff on, at least, an annual basis.  The program should include the following:  technical procedures; Laboratory Information System; safety; and departmental policies.

·        Provides continuing education opportunities to staff.

·        Embraces and actively supports employee engagement, provides huddles and other forms of inter-departmental communication.

·        Supports the department’s educational mission.  Provides support and encouragement to Clinical Instructors, Technical Staff and Support Staff to actively participate in education (i.e., Medical Technology Program, Resident Training program, training of Fellows and Students as applicable).

·        Works with other managers and supervisors to ensure the optimal utilization of the staff for the overall benefit of the department.  Facilitates cross training and other programs involved in intersectional cooperation.

·        Accurately documents staff attendance for payroll purposes and ensure compliance with hospital policy regarding time management.

·        Demonstrates a commitment to continue self-development in management skills and scientific knowledge by attending at least one management and/or scientific workshop per year.

·        Demonstrates reliability:  follows hospital and departmental policies and procedures; demonstrates consistent attendance and punctuality at work and departmental meetings; and completes work assignments within assigned time frames.

·        Effectively cooperates and communicates with staff, members of other hospital departments, and supervisor(s).

·        Provides coordination and consolidation of laboratory job descriptions, updates as required.

·        Assists in implementing a program for the orientation and competency testing of all testing personnel to ensure that they can effectively perform procedures in accordance with laboratory standards.  The program should include the following:  technical procedures; Laboratory Information Systems; safety; and departmental policies.

Communication

·        Communicates with staff through scheduled regular meetings.  Summarizes meeting minutes in the Laboratory Information System using mailbox function or informal minutes typed and posted in laboratory section. Participates in recommend leadership rounding

·        Works with the Administrative Director, Medical Chief, Medical Directors and other managers to achieve common goals.

·        Demonstrates willingness to accept instruction, guidance and/or feedback from staff, peers, or supervisor(s).

·        Effectively communicates with the medical and nursing staff to ensure the highest quality of service to user departments, individuals and caregivers.

·        Prepares and implements a customer service program at laboratories.  Values and responds to customer feedback by taking corrective action to improve suboptimal services.

·        Other

EDUCATION:

·        Requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Medical Technology or Clinical Laboratory Science which includes successful completion of a supervised course of clinical internship in an approved hospital laboratory, or a Bachelor’s degree in an applied science (for example Chemistry, Biology or Biochemistry).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Preferred:

Certification by American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or equivalent agency as a Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician, or specialty certification is preferred. Equivalent agency is defined as an agency that requires a degree in science from an accredited college or university with successful completion of an examination for certification. Such agencies include but are not limited to ASCP, NCA, American Medical Technologists (AMT), American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), Health Education and Welfare (HEW), and American Society of Microbiologists (AMT).

EXPERIENCE:

·        Minimum of 5 years full time experience in specific area of charge.

·        3 years of supervisory experience in a clinical laboratory is required.

·        In depth familiarity with requirements of accrediting agencies, particularly The Joint Commission and College of American Pathologists.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

·        Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills as well as strong leadership qualities so that they can effectively manage their area of charge.

·        In-depth scientific understanding of the area of charge and must be knowledgeable about and able to perform all tasks delineated in the job description of Medical Technologist II.

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