Quality Assurance Lab Supervisor

Company: Butterball
Location: Raeford
Posted on: May 2, 2025

Job Description:

Butterball, LLC, one of America's most iconic brands, helps consumers celebrate Thanksgiving and every day in between. Located in the thriving Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, our goal is to provide a diverse array of career opportunities and paths which include our farms, processing facilities and support offices.
We are the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S., and we make a lot more than Thanksgiving turkeys. Our company's measurable growth is in no small part due to our team members in North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri, who each have a seat at the table to contribute to our success
Job SummarySupervises the daily operations of a team ensuring timely processing of all samples. Serves as the primary point of contact for all Food Safety & Quality Assurance testing for a location. Collaborates cross[1]functionally providing technical expertise in chemical and microbiological to uphold the highest standards of product quality and food safety. Performs testing as needed. -Key Responsibilities1. Supervises the day-to-day activities of a team of entry level individual contributors. Provides guidance, coaching, and support to ensure successful completion of tasks. Participates in HR activities such as hiring, terminations, performance management, goal setting, team member development, scheduling, etc. Enforces systems, policies, and procedures.2. Responsible for maintaining laboratory proficiency and production goals.3. Ensures laboratory compliance with all company policies, regulatory requirements, andspecifications.4. Prepares and participates in internal & external audits, providing necessary documentation and support.5. Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining laboratory programs, includingmicrobiological and chemical testing of products and environmental samples.6. Provides expert guidance in troubleshooting issues related to finished products, ingredients, sanitation, environmental conditions, equipment, and testing methodologies.7. Evaluates and studies laboratory data to generate reports, graphs, and charts for management, initiating corrective actions in response to nonconformance.8. Represents the laboratory in cross-functional meetings, investigations, and regulatorydiscussions, including sanitation and USDA compliance meetings.9. Conducts investigations and assessments on the production floor to support corrective actions and quality improvements.10. Coordinates with vendors to manage inventory. Ensures timely material deliveries and oversees equipment maintenance and repairs.11. Issues certificates of analysis (COA) to customers as required. -Minimum Qualifications (Educations & Experience)--- Associate's degree in Microbiology, Biology, Food Science, Chemistry, or related field--- 4+ years of relevant experience or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role--- 1+ year of leadership experience or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role -Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesButterball Core CompetenciesCaring about people, valuing contributions, and empowering to succeed is the Butterball Way. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to Butterball and seek to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Everyone has a seat at the table and is expected to embody our core competencies:--- Safety First: We put safety first. The health, safety, and well-being of our people, products, and turkeys is everyone's responsibility and everyone's jobs.--- Integrity: We trust each other to do the right thing. We act with integrity and gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, respect, and authenticity.--- Stewardship: We take care of what matters. We are accountable to our commitments and take responsibility for the well-being of our teams, our quality, our customers, our business, our brand, and our communities. We are always answerable for our actions and those we lead.--- Enthusiastic Attitudes: We create a climate where everyone feels they belong and can be engaged, every day. Where our people are enthusiastic and motivated to do their best and work together to make great things happen.--- Continuous Improvement: We are committed to continuous improvement. We challenge ourselves and our company to constantly learn, develop, grow, improve, and innovate. -Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities1. In-depth knowledge of common microbial and molecular assays used in food safety and quality testing2. Hands-on experience in microbiology, food science, or a related field within the foodmanufacturing industry3. Firm understanding of organizational policies and procedures, including microbiology, chemistry, food safety, laboratory processes, and sanitation programs4. Proficient in all routine chemical and microbiology assays with experience in preparing standard solutions and reagents for chemical and microbial testing while maintaining adequate laboratory inventory5. Ability to learn, apply, and uphold HACCP principles to ensure regulatory compliance and food safety standards6. Proficient with Microsoft Suites (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, etc.),Power BI, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, and quality management systems7. Proficiency in laboratory software, data analysis, and reporting tools8. Good leadership skills with the ability to coach, support, and motivate a time9. Solid verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration10. Ability to interpret and educate on standard practices and policies -Physical Demands--- While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include closevision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. -Working Conditions--- Work will be performed in a variety of conditions including climate-controlled office and laboratory environment(s); in a manufacturing plant environment with varying conditions, such as cold areas, wet areas, warm areas, chemicals, and other site conditions; and in a farm environment including working outdoors in seasonal conditions with live animals and at times in dusty environments. This position requires the individual to wear and work in personal protective equipment while in the laboratory, manufacturing and farm environment. This individual may be working around sick or diseased animals where additional precautions may need to be taken.--- The noise level of the office, laboratory and farm environment is usually moderate. The noise level in the manufacturing environment may exceed 85 DBA and require hearing protection. Showering in and out of farm locations may be required.--- Travel may be required up to 10% of the time. -DisclaimerThe statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. -Butterball, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job
We embrace equal opportunity employment. Butterball is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.

This position is deemed Safety Sensitive for purposes of Butterball's Drug/Alcohol Screening & Testing Policy. Details will be provided to individuals who receive a conditional job offer, or upon request.

Keywords: Butterball, Greensboro , Quality Assurance Lab Supervisor, Other , Raeford, North Carolina