Back

Quality Release Supervisor

Harmony Foods Corp.

Money Icon
$42.36-63.54 /h
PAY RATE
Location Pin Icon
Santa Cruz, CA
LOCATION

Job Description

As posted by the hiring company

Job Overview:

We believe being healthy should not require tradeoffs. SCN BestCo is a leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement (VMS), Over-the-Counter (OTC) and prebiotics/probiotics in enjoyable forms such as gummies, lozenges and chews. With over 50 years of excellence, our team leads the way in changing how consumers make healthier choices.  With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we’ve pioneered many firsts.  The fire in our belly to create new to the world products has guided and continues to be core to our mission of making health and wellness more enjoyable. Come join us and become a part of our winning formula!

The Quality Release Supervisor oversees a team responsible for delivering release testing and documentation for Raw Materials (RM) and Finished Products (FP). This position ensures that the company's products and services meet customer requirements by performing laboratory testing that meets all customer and regulatory standards. The Quality Release Supervisor is responsible for scheduling internal and external sample testing, on-time delivery of external laboratory testing, working with third-party laboratories on testing and methods, tracking testing, conducting laboratory out-of-specification (OOS) investigations, and overseeing the finished product release process including certificate of analysis (COA), certificate of compliance (COC) preparation and approval. Collaborates with internal team members including Quality Control (QC) in case of product holds or re-works to revise the release timeline. Responsibilities also include reporting of testing status, notifying customers when delays occur, approving RMS and FPS specifications in the quality management system (Master Control), managing changes to current specifications, driving CAPA creation and implementation, reviewing and approving invoices, and working closely with the internal laboratory team to meet the overall release timeline.

Estimated starting annual base salary is $88,106.07 - $132,159.11 per year less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. Please note that the actual compensation offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined by the Company, which may include, but is not limited to, location, experience, qualifications, education, skillset, and market conditions. The target base compensation for this role is in the low to middle of the range, with the top of the range reserved for only exceptional circumstances. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary, variable annual incentive, paid based on Company performance factors. SCN BestCo offers a competitive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, which currently includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with employer matching contributions, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more, as well as paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law. Each benefit is subject to eligibility requirements as specified in plan documents, and the Company reserves the right to modify the benefits it offers from time to time.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Review and approve documentation to support the release of finished products such as COAs, COCs, justifications, lab investigation reports, process validation protocols and reports for new product launches.
  • Oversee sample receiving and schedule for testing according to each specification.
  • Oversee retains sample management and inventory accuracy.
  • Oversee external laboratory results review against specifications.
  • Extract data and prepare trending for RM or FP results as required by internal or external clients, or during lab investigations.
  • Manage the qualification process for RM and FP as per the current procedures and integrate any specific customer requests.
  • Communicate with third party laboratories regarding current testing, timelines, technical information, retest requests and prioritization of requests.
  • Track and document testing from outside labs daily.
  • Participate in the daily management review meetings to provide status on the release for FP and keep the laboratory abreast of operations priorities.
  • Develop and maintain relevant key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Manage OOS investigations with external laboratories, initiate batch investigations or the investigation process at the supplier level, and document deviations and quality events.
  • Develop, implement, and monitor corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) related to outsourced testing and/or specific customer requirements.
  • Approve and coordinate approval of invoices and chargebacks as applicable.
  • Initiate change controls for specifications updates following CAPA or as per customer-specific requirements.
  • Liaison between quality laboratory and other departments including customer service, product management, research and development (R&D), regulatory, quality assurance (QA) and supply chain.
  • Review relevant processes and information, drive improvements and collaborate with cross functional partners.
  • Support laboratory reports approval process and notifications regarding the outsourced lab work (i.e. planning, customer service, product management, QC/QT, and customers).
  • Deliver formal communication to customers in case of significant timeline impact and provide updates as required.

 

People Leader Responsibilities

The Quality Release Supervisor carries out people leader responsibilities in accordance with the Company’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include:

  • Provide task direction to team members.
  • Provide On the Job Training (OJT) for new hires (Onboarding).
  • Motivate team to improve productivity.
  • Delegate tasks and set deadlines while providing feedback on those tasks.
  • Listen to team members' feedback and resolve/report any issues or conflicts.
  • Conduct performance reviews and manage individual performance.
  • Recommend personnel actions (pay adjustments, promotions, transfers, terminations).
  • Communicate personnel actions following HR and Dept Head approval.
  • Ensure safety and quality standards are enforced and met.

 

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, food science, biology, microbiology, or related field.
  • 5 years’ professional quality control (QC) laboratory and/or quality assurance experience or commensurate combination of higher education and work experience.
  • 2 years’ experience in analytical chemistry testing (HPLC, GC, Microbiology, or any other relevant techniques).
  • Demonstrated leadership experience (e.g., team leadership, project management, or prior supervisory role).
  • Manufacturing/production experience including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

 

        Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs)

  • Advanced knowledge of laboratory practices, procedures, and systems.
  • Strong organization, customer service, accuracy, time-management, communication, reporting and analytical skills.
  • Proficiency with Laboratory Inventory Management Systems (LIMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
  • Must have the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Must have the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with internal staff and management. Must have the ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers.
  • Must be able to demonstrate practical problem solving and trouble shooting skills. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in chemistry, food science, biology, microbiology, or related field.
  • Experience managing contract manufacturing organization (CMO) or third-party testing laboratories.
  • Experience with audits and/or GMP documentation systems.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities