Lab Manager

Decatur, IL

Join Primient for a more rewarding manufacturing role. From day one, you’ll earn a great wage and full benefits.

Poised for new era of success: our goal is to unlock the full potential of Decatur and our other US locations. The market is strong for our plant-based ingredients, which go into everything from sodas to hand cream and cardboard to clothing. As our business grows, our people will grow.

ABOUT PRIMIENT
 

Established yet entrepreneurial: Primient is an industry leader with proven products, six manufacturing plants, 1500+ employees and deep roots in corn wet milling. Yet we’re also a brand-new company that is ready to drive change and create impact.

Investing in the future of Decatur: We are making an unprecedent investment in our plant and people to create a state-of-the-art facility. It will be a rewarding place for people to work now and for generations to come.

Role purpose

The Lab Manager leads the Food Safety and Quality Programs for Laboratory and Plant Operations.

Main accountabilities

• Directly manage and provide guidance to Quality Lab Team to ensure smooth daily operation of the QC laboratory.
• Oversight of training of technicians and maintenance of all training records
• Responsible for laboratory safety activities and supporting all plant safety related policies:
  • Lead lab safety meeting
  • Ensure lab technicians complete all required safety related training and work in accordance to all safety policies. 

• Responsible for maintaining area specific food safety and quality documents and activities:
  • Quality SOPs
  • Finished and raw material records
  • Assist/Lead Out of Specification investigation
  • Oversee Monthly EMP for Starch, Refinery & Dextrose
  • Assist in analyzing and responding to customer complaints
  • Preventive Controls training of technicians, as required
  • Oversee & work in conjunction with the instrument specialist and maintenance/calibration of the lab equipment (e.g., GC, HPLC, AA, pH, RI, RVA & YSI)
  • Oversee CRA program

• Provide guidance on testing requirements for all products
• Responsible for preparation and reporting of monthly quality results (product quality performance)
• Provide support for the Quality Assurance programs:
  • cGMP and quality system audits.
  • Customer tours and customer audits.
  • Participate in plant food safety programs
  • Preventive Controls and prerequisite programs
• Other tasks arranged by line manager

Skills and experience required 

• Bachelor's degree in a Science related field, with 5-10 years food industry experience preferred.
• Experience in laboratory management and good laboratory practices required
• Knowledge of lab instrumentation and calibrations
• Must be persuasive, willing to take initiative, and possess adaptability and communication skills necessary for success in this position
• A working knowledge of SAP, SAP quality programs
• A working knowledge of quality and food safety systems (e.g., cGMP, HACCP, Sanitation, Maintenance, Calibration)
• Excellent organizational skills
• Self-Motivated
• Good problem solving skills
• Ability to build good relationships with internal and external peers

What we offer you:

At Primient you will have the opportunity to drive end to end solutions while owning a high level of accountability and ownership. Additionally, you will have access to:

• Competitive salary with generous bonus plan
• 401K matching and non-contingent matching plans
• Full suite of benefit offerings starting Day 1

Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to safely perform the following tasks:

• Lifting of up to 55 pounds without mechanical assistance.
• Climb a vertical ladder up to 15ft
• Climb several flights of stairs, several times a shift
• Stand for up to 1 hour without sitting
• Bending and twisting motion at the waist and knees

Working with us in Decatur

Our Primient plant is the largest and most complex facility across our network, and has been part of the Decatur community for over 100 years. It has been a hub of innovation and technology and will continue to be a flagship facility for Primient. Today, more than 400 people work at our plant and administration building. We are proud of our strong union relations, our excellent safety record, and our local community outreach and service. Our promising future makes it an exciting place to be.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are passionate believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow, thrive and progress.

Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

Successful candidates must also pass a computer test, drug screen, and background check.

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