At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a QFS Plant Laboratory Manager (PQLab) based in Mt Crawford, Virginia!

Position Summary:

This role is responsible for the management of the quality lab department, ultimately ensuring the production of safe food that is in compliance with Danone standards and legal requirements, prioritizing the safety of both the product and the general work environment in their daily duties. The Laboratory Manager drives all the lab activities for the site, managing the budget and resources to ensure delivery of reliable and timely results for the purpose of process control and product release. Will ensure that any non-conformances related to quality and food safety are immediately reported and managed according to PNC program.

Reporting structure: Reports into the Quality and Food Safety Director and leads a team of approximately 26 direct reports. 

Key Responsibilities:

Quality Assurance in Lab:

• Manage the implementation of testing methods according to Global AE requirements (KARMA digital).
• Implement and monitor quality system according to ISO 17025 and Global AE requirements (QMS, standards, methods, KPIs).
• Achieve and maintain ISO 17025 accreditation status of laboratory and methods as and if required for your laboratory (SN specific).
• Maintain and update laboratory documents.

Laboratory Operations Management:

• Oversee daily lab activities, ensure compliance with control plan, testing protocols, and manage equipment calibration and maintenance.
• Manage finished product release according to predefined requirements.
• Ensure raw materials, materials, and semi-finished products and packaging are analyzed according to current control plans and released for production if they meet quality requirements.
• Interpret test results and signaling quality non-conformities related to raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products.
• Ensure analytical performance of the laboratory
• Define and manage KPIs for laboratory performance management in line with customer (factory, …) requirements.
  Ensure proper layout and workflow to avoid risks of cross-contamination.
• Lead lab continuous improvement (non-conformities management, internal audits).
• Analyze, review and approve lab results, and communicate reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide data/calculate KPIs defined for Quality Control.
• Ensure the laboratory is developing and implementing digitalization and automation solutions

Team Leadership:

• Ensure proper capability in the laboratory.
• Supervise and develop lab teams, manage schedules, conduct performance reviews, and ensure training and competencies development.
  Ensure each Danoner within the laboratory can fulfil their responsibilities.
• Ensure QFS Laboratory/Testing competencies development based on status assessment vs needs.
• Ensure all personnel performing any form of analytical testing within lab/QFS and outside of lab/QFS, e.g. in production) have an up-to-date training record.

Manage Laboratory budget:

• Ensure effective financial budgeting related to lab activities.
• Ensure budget adherence for operational costs such as labor and consumables.

Assistance in crises:

• Support to manufacturing in case of incidents/accidents
• Participate in Crisis Team activities as defined by the QFS Plant Quality Leader.

Stakeholder management:

• Manage and coordinate with internal stakeholders such as Operations, QFS, Analytical Excellence, …
• Coordinate with external stakeholders such as suppliers and regulatory bodies. Manage external laboratories performing testing for the Factory.

Engagement in our Integrated Work Systems

Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement. 

In plants implementing IWS, the PQLab is member of a Pillar team and owns at least one system

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs and ladders, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. Occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands:

• Must understand vague and implicit instructions and react favorably in all work situations.
• Must be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people.
• Must be able to communicate providing verbal feedback in a professional manner.
• Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials, and articulate goals and action plans.
• Must understand people and be able to communicate effectively with them.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and may be exposed to loud noises in the plant. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and vibration.

Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (chemistry, biology, food science or related), required. 
• 5+ years' experience in lab operation, preferably in food or pharma manufacturing, with 2–5 years' experience in leadership roles, required. 
• Familiarity with ISO 17025, internal auditor training, or Six Sigma is preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership skills and ability to maintain impartiality for the lab
• Ability to act independently in the interest of the lab
• A leader with a passion and ability to develop and grow others
• Ability to manage continuous improvement of the lab under pressure of day-to-day release testing expectations.
• Ability to demonstrate resilience is key in this position to be able to deal with changing prioritization, dealing with the pressure coming from escalations from the factory
• Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate. Work schedules could include days, nights, and weekends as business needs dictate.

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free,  STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®. 

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. 

You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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