Manager, Quality Control

Full vaccination against COVID-19 required, unless you qualify for a federally protected exemption.

About This Role

Apeel Sciences is seeking a motivated and resourceful Quality Control Manager to support the development, manufacturing, and production of Apeel’s products. You will lead the Quality Control Team and support the testing of raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished products. Using validated methods, you will ensure data & reporting accuracy. You will also lead continuous improvement for current methods which involve a variety of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. As the QC Team leader, you will provide analytical support, including leading a team in non-routine analysis and identification of unknowns. You will also be responsible for the development of analytical lab quality standards per Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).

This position is based at our headquarters in Santa Barbara, CA, and will report to our Director of Quality. We are looking for you to join us immediately.

What You’ll Do 

• Maintain all quality control records and lab notebooks; review and approve Quality Control documents including but not limited to: specifications, procedures, work instructions, reports, etc.
• Manage the team that supports the testing and release of Apeel’s products, including coaching & feedback, and optimization of work to ensure the development of people and organizational capabilities for the team.
• Lead the development of our growing laboratory sampling, sample retention, and testing program for raw materials, work in progress (WIP), and finished products.
• Ensure the interpretation, reporting of data, and maintenance of records are documented and effectively implemented, including the use of statistical analysis and Statistical Process Control where appropriate.
• Oversee the calibration of analytical instruments, the use of analytical reference standards, and ensure the maintenance of the equipment is established and followed. 
• Assist in scaling operations and evolution of Quality Control processes while incorporating best practices towards the development of analytical lab standards.
• Interface with cross-functional teams and serve as an in-plant resource during external audits by regulatory agencies or other third parties. 
• Ensure that analytical methods for Key Release Specifications (KRS) of finished products have gone through appropriate methods development and validation b to perform the analysis prior to manufacturing the product. 

What You Bring 

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in Analytical Chemistry and 3+ years of analytical laboratory experience in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environment
• 2+ years of experience managing a team
• Understanding of analytical laboratory practices, Instrumentation, testing, failure investigation of nonconforming product and problem resolution/ troubleshooting of methods and analytical instrumentations. 
• Knowledge of Current Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP,) Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and Quality Management System (QMS).
• Results Orientated - you put top priority on getting quality results and empower your teams to do the same.
• Planning and prioritization: You will ensure all lab tasks and activities are planned,  prioritized with teams towards meeting manufacturing and customer service needs.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Possess the ability to understand Statistic and Process Control tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact with stakeholders of all levels.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to change and to operate effectively in ambiguous situations is required.