Food Laboratory Quality Manager

Quality Manager - Food & Microbiology Laboratory

Location: Madison, WI
Schedule: Full-Time | Sunday - Thursday | 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Compensation: $65,000 - $70,000 based on experience

About the Role

At Deibel Laboratories, quality is part of everything we do. Our work helps food manufacturers make confident decisions about the safety and quality of their products, and our Quality team plays an important role in making sure the science behind those decisions is reliable.

We're looking for a Quality Manager to support our Madison laboratory and take ownership of the site's day-to-day Quality Management System.

This is a hands-on role for someone who understands good laboratory practices, pays attention to the details and can work closely with both laboratory associates and leadership to make sure quality expectations are understood and followed.

You don't necessarily need to have already held the title of Quality Manager. If you have built a strong foundation in microbiology, food science, laboratory quality, quality assurance, food safety, pharmaceutical or another regulated environment and are ready for more ownership, we'd like to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As the Quality Manager, you'll be the primary day-to-day resource for Quality within the laboratory and work closely with the Lab Manager and Deibel's Quality leadership.

You will:

• Own and maintain the laboratory's Quality Management System (QMS) 
• Help ensure laboratory practices consistently meet Deibel SOPs, quality standards and accreditation requirements 
• Review Quality documentation and verify compliance with established procedures 
• Train and support laboratory associates on Quality SOPs, procedures and expectations 
• Support the implementation and ongoing maintenance of new procedures, methods and accreditations 
• Identify, document and escalate nonconformances 
• Participate in investigations, root-cause review and corrective actions 
• Support internal and external audits and help ensure appropriate follow-through 
• Partner with laboratory leadership to identify quality risks and practical solutions 
• Support laboratory activities when needed to help maintain the quality and reliability of client results 
• Help reinforce a culture where Quality is part of how the work gets done every day 

What We're Looking For

A strong candidate will have:

• 2+ years of relevant experience in laboratory quality, microbiology, food science, food safety, quality assurance, quality control, pharmaceutical, environmental testing or another regulated scientific environment 
• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or a related scientific discipline preferred 
• Experience working with SOPs, controlled documentation and/or quality systems 
• Strong attention to detail and an ability to recognize when something doesn't meet an established standard 
• Good problem-solving and follow-through 
• Ability to communicate clearly with laboratory associates and leadership 
• Comfort training, coaching and helping others understand not just the requirement, but why it matters 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office or related systems 

Even Better If You Have

Experience with one or more of the following would be especially helpful:

• Food microbiology or food testing 
• ISO/IEC 17025 or another laboratory accreditation standard 
• Quality Management Systems 
• Internal or external audits 
• CAPA, root-cause analysis or nonconformance investigations 
• GMPs or other regulated laboratory practices 
• Quality or compliance experience within the food, pharmaceutical or life-sciences industries 

We don't expect every candidate to check every box. Relevant laboratory experience and the ability to grow into greater Quality ownership are important to us.

Why Deibel?

Since 1967, Deibel Laboratories has provided independent food testing services in microbiology and chemistry, supporting both industry-leading food producers and family-run businesses. The current posting appropriately emphasizes Deibel's role in food and product safety, and I would keep that connection because it gives the job more purpose than simply describing QMS administration. 

In this role, you'll have an opportunity to:

• Make a direct impact on food safety and the reliability of laboratory results 
• Take real ownership of Quality at the laboratory level 
• Work closely with both Quality and Operations leadership 
• Build broader experience in quality systems, accreditation and laboratory compliance 
• Help associates understand and apply Quality expectations in their everyday work 
• Continue developing your career within a growing laboratory organization 

Benefits

Deibel offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical coverage with significant employer contribution 
• Dental coverage 
• Vision coverage 
• 401(k) 
• Profit sharing 
• Additional company benefits 

Specific plan eligibility and benefit details are provided during the hiring process.

Physical Requirements

This position works in and around an active laboratory environment. Requirements include:

• Occasional exposure to laboratory fumes, chemicals and materials 
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment based on laboratory activities 
• Periods of standing and working within the laboratory 
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 10-15 pounds repeatedly 

Interested?

If you're someone who takes pride in doing things the right way, enjoys solving problems and is ready to take greater ownership of Quality within a laboratory environment, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today and help us continue delivering science our clients can trust.

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