Quality Team Lead- Days

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With nearly $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose:

The Quality Assurance Team Lead will provide key support for the Quality Department. Knowledge must include: equipment swabbing, water and air testing, raw milk testing, raw & pasteurized load out testing, finished product testing, microbiological testing, chemical titrations, and in-line process testing. The Team Lead will assist in coordinating, administrating, and provide daily collaboration between departments. Generate daily reports; data entry and collection; project assistance; filing; assist in conduct of special studies, calibrations, data collection, communicate with Departments; assist in inventory of laboratory supplies. The Team Lead will be expected to work alongside technicians, will be expected to train new employees and demonstrate the proper operation of equipment.

responsibilities:

• Oversee and lead the activities of the laboratory technicians, including daily tasks and additional projects (such as: trial run protocols, sample retesting and requests, etc.). Ensure completion of master sanitation schedule (MSS) tasks and tablet upload.
• Monitor technician/team and task efficiencies and assist QA management team in improving task efficiencies.
• Ability to operate correctly and properly lab testing instrumentation including moisture, protein, and fat instrumentation, microscope, aseptic microbiological plating technique, Foss analytical equipment, pH meter, and other laboratory instrumentation as needed.
• Assist with performing daily quality line audits, evaluations and testing on plant floor as needed.
• Assist with conducting investigations per the direction of the QA supervisor or QA manager.
• Fill out required laboratory data worksheets and logs in an accurate manner. Assist the lab analyst with ensuring data entry spreadsheets are utilized and filled our properly.
• Enforces the quality program to reduce or eliminate off spec product and financial losses; enforces the quality systems and programs of the company.
• Must keep area stocked with sufficient supplies to perform job responsibilities. Assist the QA supervisor in maintaining adequate levels of supplies and performing inventory when necessary.
• Maintain all results and reports in a confidential manner in accordance with the Company Letter of Confidentiality.
• Computer skills including MS Office, Word, and Excel.
• Communication of results to the proper individuals in a timely, confidential, and professional manner.
• Recognize and notify Quality Assurance Manager and appropriate operations supervisors of any unusual results or product defects. Perform the necessary re-checks for analytical and microbiological test.
• Report immediately to supervisor or manager of any damage, irregular activity, or unsafe conditions concerning the plant equipment or lab instrumentation.
• Follow all safety, work, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and GLP’s rules.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

skills/qualifications required:

A Bachelor’s degree in Dairy, Food Science, Management or related discipline is required. A minimum of five (5) years laboratory experience is preferred.

• College level verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced computational skills required. Advanced math reasoning preferred.
• Ability to work different shifts, including off-shifts.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English is required as the spoken language.

working conditions and physical requirements:

• 40-50 hours sitting/standing/walking
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

 food safety requirements:

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.
• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.
• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.

position location: Coopersville, MI

reports to: Quality Assurance Supervisor

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.