Actalent
Job Title: QC Lab Manager
Position Summary:
The QC Lab Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management of the on-site analytical laboratory supporting annatto-derived ingredient manufacturing operations in Hadley, MA. This role is accountable for ensuring laboratory practices consistently support product safety, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. This role ensures that validated methods, instruments, and staff capabilities meet cGMP, FSMA, and customer requirements for QC and release testing. By acting as technical bridge between Manufacturing Operations and Quality Assurance, this role may also support manufacturing and R&D in discovery and implementation of new processes and new products.
Key Responsibilities:
Lab Operations & QC Testing
Lead day-today operation of the analytical laboratory (e.g. HPLC, GC, wet chemistry) ensuring safety, data integrity, and timely release of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished goods
Develop, validate, and maintain analytical methods aligned with compendial and internal specifications, manage change control for method updates
Own laboratory quality systems including equipment calibration, maintenance, reagent qualification, reference standard lifecycle, OOS investigations, and documentation
Review and approval analytical results and COAs to release materials in accordance with 21 CFR 111/117 and site SOPs
Serve as technical SME during audits and regulatory inspections; collaborate with QA manager on CAPA and deviation management
At as primary laboratory liaison with external contract labs, method development partners, and equipment vendors
Manage laboratory operating budget, forecasting consumables, and capital equipment
Lead business case for new instrumentation and oversee installation, qualification, and validation
Lead identification of new methods, instrumentation, laboratory practices, etc. that ensure analytical work done on-site remains current and supports future growth
As needed, partner with externals on method and/or standard development
Technical Support for Manufacturing & R&D
Provide rapid analytical troubleshooting and root-cause analysis to resolve manufacturing issues and improve process yields and throughput
Support QA Manager in resolving customer complaints; track complaints for emergence of issues
Support R&D scale up of projects with analytical methods, pilot-scale sampling plans, and data packages
Identify and implement innovations (instrumentation, automation, etc.) that reduce COGS and improve efficiency
Support customer-facing technical inquiries with QC data summaries and analytical insights
Leadership & People Development
Lead, mentor, and develop scientists, analysts, and as needed, contractors (2-4 FTE)
Perform staffing, training, performance management
Foster a culture of safety, scientific integrity, and regulatory compliance
Ensure cross-training of analysts to avoid single-point failures and maintain operational continuity
Champion lab readiness for internal/external audits through training, mock inspections and proactive compliance reviews
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in food science, Chemistry, Biology or related technical field (advanced degree preferred)
Minimum 8 years of progressive laboratory and QC experience in food, dietary supplements or ingredient manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a supervisor/management role
Demonstrated expertise in chromatographic methods, method validation, and cGMP laboratory compliance
Skills:
Strong understanding of ISO/IEC 17025, 21 CFR 111/117 and FSMA requirements
Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills
Proficiency with data analysis and in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access); project management tools a plus.
Excellent analytical, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
Results-oriented, proactive, and able to solve problems in a fast-paced environment
Proven ability to apply risk-based thinking to laboratory control and lead root cause analysis for CAPA
Demonstrated audit readiness and customer-facing communication skills
Location and Travel: This role is based in Hadley, MA. May include travel up to 20%.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr.
health, vision, dental, 401k, pto, bonus package
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Hadley,MA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 10, 2025.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.
Position Summary:
The QC Lab Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management of the on-site analytical laboratory supporting annatto-derived ingredient manufacturing operations in Hadley, MA. This role is accountable for ensuring laboratory practices consistently support product safety, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. This role ensures that validated methods, instruments, and staff capabilities meet cGMP, FSMA, and customer requirements for QC and release testing. By acting as technical bridge between Manufacturing Operations and Quality Assurance, this role may also support manufacturing and R&D in discovery and implementation of new processes and new products.
Key Responsibilities:
Lab Operations & QC Testing
Lead day-today operation of the analytical laboratory (e.g. HPLC, GC, wet chemistry) ensuring safety, data integrity, and timely release of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished goods
Develop, validate, and maintain analytical methods aligned with compendial and internal specifications, manage change control for method updates
Own laboratory quality systems including equipment calibration, maintenance, reagent qualification, reference standard lifecycle, OOS investigations, and documentation
Review and approval analytical results and COAs to release materials in accordance with 21 CFR 111/117 and site SOPs
Serve as technical SME during audits and regulatory inspections; collaborate with QA manager on CAPA and deviation management
At as primary laboratory liaison with external contract labs, method development partners, and equipment vendors
Manage laboratory operating budget, forecasting consumables, and capital equipment
Lead business case for new instrumentation and oversee installation, qualification, and validation
Lead identification of new methods, instrumentation, laboratory practices, etc. that ensure analytical work done on-site remains current and supports future growth
As needed, partner with externals on method and/or standard development
Technical Support for Manufacturing & R&D
Provide rapid analytical troubleshooting and root-cause analysis to resolve manufacturing issues and improve process yields and throughput
Support QA Manager in resolving customer complaints; track complaints for emergence of issues
Support R&D scale up of projects with analytical methods, pilot-scale sampling plans, and data packages
Identify and implement innovations (instrumentation, automation, etc.) that reduce COGS and improve efficiency
Support customer-facing technical inquiries with QC data summaries and analytical insights
Leadership & People Development
Lead, mentor, and develop scientists, analysts, and as needed, contractors (2-4 FTE)
Perform staffing, training, performance management
Foster a culture of safety, scientific integrity, and regulatory compliance
Ensure cross-training of analysts to avoid single-point failures and maintain operational continuity
Champion lab readiness for internal/external audits through training, mock inspections and proactive compliance reviews
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in food science, Chemistry, Biology or related technical field (advanced degree preferred)
Minimum 8 years of progressive laboratory and QC experience in food, dietary supplements or ingredient manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a supervisor/management role
Demonstrated expertise in chromatographic methods, method validation, and cGMP laboratory compliance
Skills:
Strong understanding of ISO/IEC 17025, 21 CFR 111/117 and FSMA requirements
Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills
Proficiency with data analysis and in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access); project management tools a plus.
Excellent analytical, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
Results-oriented, proactive, and able to solve problems in a fast-paced environment
Proven ability to apply risk-based thinking to laboratory control and lead root cause analysis for CAPA
Demonstrated audit readiness and customer-facing communication skills
Location and Travel: This role is based in Hadley, MA. May include travel up to 20%.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $150000.00/yr.
health, vision, dental, 401k, pto, bonus package
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Hadley,MA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 10, 2025.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.