Sr Research Scientist QRC

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Provide oversite & leadership to all laboratory services at their respective site. Ensure timely and accurate flow of quality information to internal customers.

In addition, the Sr Research Scientist QRC will be responsible for:

Lab operations support

• Assure the proficiency, accuracy & precision of all lab analyses methods through instrument management & maintenance systems and strict adherence to SOP's for sample analysis.
• Responsible for the internal & external lab standards, proficiency programs and audits.
• Responsible for reviewing all data generated in the labs daily through exception reporting and other means and reaction to OOS data or unusual trends.
• Assure through SAP the order & management of laboratory supplies to ensure services are not interrupted by avoidable shortages.
• Responsible for coordinating & ensuring all third party samples are completed and shipped in a timely fashion.
• Responsible to facilitate non-conforming result CAPA
• Ability to apply statistical analytical methodologies to describe process and product characterizations.
• Responsible for lab team schedules, and evaluations.
• Review new supplier ingredients quality & food safety information
• Conduct microbiological risk assessments for new ingredients
• Responsible to evaluate adequacy of thermal validation studies and risk assessments provided by the supplier
• Conduct ingredient(s) inherent microbiological risk literature reviews
• Support finished product and ingredient specification development & reviews
• Partner with R&D & innovation QA team for microbiological food safety risk evaluations
• Define & evaluate COA requirements for new incoming ingredients
• Coordinate external/internal verification testing for new approvals

Leadership, management & knowledge sharing

• Manage day-to-day lab operation and team needs
• Promote Hershey culture, and takes necessary time to coach staff.
• Understands the common business goals of the company through the alignment of all departments and labs.
• Train plant & labs teams on ingredient risks control/prevention, microbiological cross-contamination control best practices, GLPs
• Make recommendations to improve quality & efficiency by working closely with Laboratory and Production Teams.
• Safety - Complete & review all near miss and accidents with lab team as needed.
• Responsible for training lab team(s).
• Annual safety training
• Annual first aid & CPR certification maintained.
• Annual HazMat & first responder certification maintained.
• Develop & mentor professional growth and the advancement of the lab staff.
• Communicates and interact professionally with co-workers, management, etc.

Skills and Experience:

• A robust working technical knowledge of food microbiology & food science processes and/or instrumentation
• Experience in conducting failure analysis & root cause investigation.
• Working knowledge of regulatory & quality system requirements - GLPs, HACCP, HARPC, GMPs, Sanitation principles, etc.
• PCQI certification required
• Better Process Control School; Process authority certification preferred.

• Great communication skills in verbal and written form.
• Interprets & evaluates complex information, while identifying defect patterns & quality related issues.
• Ability to effectively interact & explain complex ideas with all levels of employees.
• Robust understanding of a food production/manufacturing environment.
• Perform work consistently with established work & safety procedures.
• Audit experience; Internal audit certification preferred
• Working knowledge and comfort in aseptic technique and microbiological test methods
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, participating in professional societies.

• Proficiency in computer programs / software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Trackwise, LIMS system.
• Background in ISO lab certification.
• Technical knowledge of laboratory analysis, plant operations and quality management.

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• B.S. in Microbiology, Food Science or related science field
• 5+ years of advancement through progressive positions
• 3 years minimum should be in Lab, Production, Quality or Engineering Management while managing technical personnel and complex activities