Technical Manager - GC

Job Description

GC Department

Overall Objectives and Responsibilities

1.      Provides technical/scientific guidance to the department on procedures and/or problems, analysis methods and techniques. Interface with the other Technical Manager and Department Leaders. Supervise senior technical staff if needed.

2.      Adhere to appropriate quality measures, which meet or exceed the standards set by ISO/IEC 17025, government regulatory, and company requirements; understand and follow Quality System documents relevant to responsibilities, e.g., Quality Manual, SOPs, and Analysis Methods.

3.      Adhere to, and ensure that staff adheres to, pertinent health, safety, and environmental regulations relative to department; maintain and assist others in maintaining a clean, safe work environment.

4.      Modify, develop, validate, write, and edit analysis methods relative to assigned department. Maintain fully approved, scientifically sound protocols and written standard methodologies to be used in area of responsibility. Maintain necessary document control including worksheets, logs, and listing of currently used methods with accepted modifications clearly specified, and records of method validation studies.

5.      Instruct, monitor, troubleshoot and assist in the performance of manual and instrumental analysis.  Operate equipment and perform minor instrument repairs; coordinate major instrument repairs with repairperson.  Establish and implement procedures to ensure that assigned equipment is properly cleaned, calibrated/standardized, adequate for the testing performed and is maintained in good working order. This includes maintaining equipment operating instructions, manuals, and required logbooks.  

6.      Write and review study protocols and reports.

7.      Lead and monitor the progress of research projects and any other projects for quality, safety and productivity improvement.

8.      Monitor Quality Control Charts. Perform investigation on data trending or failure.

9.      Perform investigation on Out of Specification and non-conformances. Evaluate and approve or reject prospective and in-progress non-conformances (as exceptions) to standards (policies, procedures, specifications, etc.); investigate to determine the cause of retrospective non-conformances, determine and implement corrective action, and follow-up to ensure that the corrective action resolved the problem.

10.   Review and evaluate test data generated within assigned area of responsibility for technical accuracy as well as SOP compliance.  Perform and provide basic evaluation of statistical tests to determine the quality accuracy of data and report values.

11.   Communicate and discuss methods, results and questions with client service personnel and clients; ensure that clients receive good service, accurate results, and fast turnaround time consistent with superior analytical testing.

12.   Critically evaluate services offered by area of responsibility; recommend, develop and implement new services, more accurate, efficient and appropriate test procedures, more accurate, efficient or cost effective equipment and more efficient layout of facilities.

13.   Ensure that area of responsibility maintains good standing in appropriate proficiency testing (check sample) programs such as AACC, AOCS and AAFCO.  Respond quickly to questions concerning data quality.

14.   Administer and direct the training of all assigned technical staff on methods, SOPs, regulatory requirements, and local laboratory policies/procedures applicable to area of responsibility.  Meet regularly with personnel to ensure that proper information flows in both directions and that personnel adhere to these requirements on an ongoing basis.  If poor analytical technique is observed, correct immediately and verify good analytical technique has been obtained.

15.   As needed, perform analysis and record test data and results for samples in logbook, record book or BookMaster and enter the data or results into eLIMS either manually or through automatic export, in a timely and accurate manner.

16.   Assist Department Leader in formulating and implementing the short and long-range goals for departmental operation; set priorities, assign responsibilities, and establish timetables; project future needs and formulate strategies consistent with projections for adequate personnel, equipment, analysis methods, and facilities to ensure efficient and effective operations

17.   Help monitor turnaround times to support accurate quotations to clients and to keep BUMa or Director of Operations informed of deviations from expected normal to include situations where client expectations were not met.

18.   Communicate clearly and concisely to clients, management, and staff both orally and in writing.  Delegate responsibilities to employees in a manner that ensures they understand their tasks and roles.

19.   Participate on external technical committees and attend professional meetings; make technical presentations in conjunction with sales visits and public forums.

20.   Remain current on technical, industry, and business advancements and trends as suggested by the Department Leader, Director of Operations or BUMa.

21.   Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with major in an appropriate science field.  Bachelor of Science in Chemistry preferred. 

Prefer experience or coursework in laboratory procedures, data analysis, computer operations, mathematics, and technical/business writing.

Experience and knowledge of ISO 17025 standards.

5 – 7 years of applicable and progressively expanded laboratory experience to include the design and review of projects, and the development and review of new testing protocols.

Undergraduate degree with 7-10 years experience

Masters degree with 3-7 years experience

PhD with 1-4 years experience

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.

Excellent communication skills. 

Responsive, independent problem solver and action oriented

Recognized expert in assigned scientific area

Skilled in performing scientific presentations and preparing scientific publications

Skilled in data interpretation

Demonstrated ability for logical thinking, vision, and creativity necessary to function effectively with little structure or supervision

Additional Information

Candidates currently living within a commutable distance of Des Moines, IA are encouraged to apply.

• Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays

Eurofins is a M/F, Disabled, and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is required to stand; walk; and use hands to find, handle, and feel objects, tools, or controls, and some repetitive motion. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Eurofins USA Food Testing is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.