JOB SUMMARY

The Quality Manager is responsible for the day to day management of all activities associated with the laboratory as well as facilitating the transfer of all incoming and outgoing data from the facility to third party laboratories. The team member in this position monitors plant operations and final product quality via laboratory data and ensures maximum production quantity and final product quality while following procedures relating to production and safety of the plant. The Quality Manager plays a lead role in monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing the fermentation process. The Quality Manager also oversees all quality certification/accreditation programs and is responsible for maintaining the facilities certification status to all quality programs, including: EQA®, AFQA®, the POET BPX In-situ Kernel Fiber Pathway, and SQF/GFSI (when applicable). 

DURING A TYPICAL DAY (IF THERE IS ONE), YOU WILL:

• Effectively lead your team by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training team members. Leadership responsibilities also include delegation, coaching and performance management, and career development to effectively execute departmental strategies and support company objectives.
• Manage all aspects of quality control in the laboratory.
• Be accountable for laboratory team members and lab work that is completed to include sampling procedures and reported results.
• Ensure team members are trained in all aspects of existing laboratory procedures.
• Establish testing protocols that ensure tests can be reproduced with accurate results.
• Ensure all city, county, state, and federal regulations are met as they apply to the laboratory.
• Assist in optimizing plant runtime as well as downtime by ensuring a quality end product through support of laboratory operations and sample analyses.
• Manage quality control on all final products.
• Ensure all QC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), both laboratory and product, are up to date and followed.
• Communicate discrepancies with product quality to the appropriate management team.
• Optimize ingredient usage and yield and maximize the efficiency of the fermentation process by reviewing and analyzing data.
• Monitor fermentation and provide data/reports to the management team to help troubleshoot and optimizing the fermentation process
• Work with operations and management on special testing and research requests.
• Maintain and enforce all laboratory safety programs and procedures.
• Oversee water testing results.
• Ensure quality assurance testing on supporting laboratory equipment is conducted at the required frequency as established by POET SOP.
• Prepare annual budget and monitor cost control for the laboratory department.
• Present capital request justifications to management.
• Communicate production and laboratory performance results to the plant team and POET Bioprocessing.
• Ensure ongoing certification to the Fuel Ethanol Quality Assurance Program (EQA).
• Ensure participation in all Laboratory Proficiency Testing Programs as established by EQA and POET SOP.
• Ensure ongoing certification to the Animal Food Quality Assurance Program (AFQA).
• Ensure ongoing compliance to the POET BPX In-situ Kernel Fiber Pathway.
• Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times.
• Maintain a team environment at all times and champion POET in the community.
• Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skill may be put to a lot of other uses!

STRENGTHS OF A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology or related science required.
• 3 years lab experience required.
• Experience in lab operations with a strong background in lab quality control and standard lab practices required.
• Prior experience with managing quality programs preferred.
• Prior HPLC, IC and NIR experience preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communications skills as well as the ability to adapt to change.
• You know the basics of Microsoft Office Suite. You’re capable of learning new programs.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At POET we believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Culture is king at POET. We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET.
• This position is largely self-directed and requires understanding of company policy, procedures, and values. Team members will be required to adhere to all safety requirements in all work environments. This position operates in multiple work environments, including a plant environment, a laboratory environment as well as an office environment. In the lab, the team member will work with a range of analytical instrumentation, multiple chemical reagents, and perform various wet chemistry tests. In the office, the team member will work on a personal computer. In the plant environment, the team member may be exposed to noise, heat, and other elements both inside and outside. While performing the duties of this position, the team member will be exposed to moving, mechanical parts, dusty conditions, high noise levels, internal and external temperature/weather conditions, and exposed to chemicals.
• Due to the physical and safety sensitive nature of this job, you will be subject to a physical and expected to pass a drug screen during the pre-screen process. During employment, you’ll be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• Specific physical requirements include:
  • Occasionally lifting weight up to sixty (60) pounds.
  • Climbing several flights of stairs and ladders.
  • Opening valves.
  • Occasionally bending, twisting and turning while lifting weight of less than fifty (50) pounds.
  • Data entry while seated for greater than one (1) hour.
  • Walking up to two (2) or more miles per day.
  • Pushing brooms, shovels, etc.
  • Working at heights, in confined spaces and at temperatures from -20 to +100 degrees.
  • Standing for extended periods of time.
  • Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Using hand and power tools.

POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). POET complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding hiring and employment. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.