Quality Lab Supervisor

For our future state-of-the art 600+ person Lubbock, TX cheese and whey manufacturing facility, Leprino is seeking a Night Shift Quality Lab Supervisor to continue moving our organization to even larger levels of innovation, technological advancement, process improvement, and production efficiencies. We take pride in our vision to be "world's best", it's why we work harder, invest more, and continually innovate.

The lab supervisor leads all plant lab activities including milk testing, in-process testing, melt grading and chemistry and micro analyses at the main labs. This includes responsibility for instrumentation upkeep, calibration and troubleshooting, as well as supply ordering and maintaining applicable supplier relationships.

• Plans and schedules daily staffing needs to maximize labor efficiency and ensure production needs are met.
• Oversees all plant labs, including: Milk Receiving, Main Chem Lab, Main Micro Lab, In-process Lab, Melt Lab
• Leads and coaches team employees in by implementing programs in technical training, safety, quality, communications, performance recognition, and internal employee development to drive peak employee engagement and productivity.
• Builds and fosters strong working relationships, collaboration within their team and across the plant.
• Reinforces company and plant policies fairly and consistently.
• Ensures team employees have completed all required training, including Corporate or customer specific grading requirements
• Responds to employee questions and concerns.
• Ensures adherence to plant and Corporate Quality programs and procedures
• Is responsible for excellent and timely execution of all test analyses performed in the plant
• Is responsible for all lab equipment preventative maintenance, calibration, cleaning and trouble shooting
• Evaluates information to complete root cause analysis during lab events.
• Is responsible for tracking and reporting out on lab KPIs
• Ensures good working relationships with suppliers of lab supplies and instruments
• Is responsible for excellent execution against Appendix N compliance
• Serves as the local subject matter expert of local LIMS system
• Monitors team operations and makes recommendations for labor and manufacturing efficiency, cost savings and quality improvements.
• Manages against the Quality Department’s financial performance goals.
• Is responsible for all lab supply ordering and budgeting
• Educates plant personnel on laboratory execution and monitors excellence through frequent auditing
• Responsible for reporting product and ingredient quality results to appropriate management personnel.
• Aids in the management of the Quality department by ensuring the production of consistently wholesome, high-quality products that meet or exceed Customer and Regulatory requirements.
• Ensures development of excellent lab safety standards and the flawless execution thereof

Minimum Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in food technology, food science, dairy science, microbiology, or chemistry or related field, or similar work experience in related industry
• 5+ years of quality experience in food manufacturing environment, additional education may substitute experience where applicable
• 1+ year of experience leading, mentoring, and/or delegating work to others

Preferred Qualifications & Experience:

• Production management experience in the food industry, preferably in Dairy, with intimate knowledge of and passion for quality methods and techniques, including HACCP concept for food safety, quality assurance standards, food laboratory testing methods and operations, and statistical process control techniques.
• Dairy/Cheese manufacturing experience
• Previous supervisory experience in manufacturing environment

Leprino Foods celebrates and supports diversity. We believe in equal opportunity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture that uses the unique talents, experiences, background, and perspectives of each individual employee.

Why work at Leprino Foods? Learn more at www.leprinofoods.com.

Leprino Foods Company is an equal opportunity employer who supports a drug-free workplace. EOE/AA

Leprino Foods requires all individuals to wear the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as required by the role and location

Leprino Foods Company utilizes the services of Psychemedics to perform our Hair Follicle Drug Testing. Additional information about this process can be obtained at www.psychemedics.com.

Leprino Foods Company supports a drug-free workplace and is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/Disability/Veteran

OFFERING YOU IN RETURN:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino Foods could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

OUR STORY:

Leprino Foods’ history dates back over 70 years, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino Foods is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by Jim and the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” To help us achieve that bold vision, we’re looking for our secret ingredient: You. A motivated team member who is the best at what you do. Three passionate individuals in a small corner grocery store in the early 1950s have now grown to almost 5,000 employees throughout 16 global locations. Will you join us on our journey?