Lab Supervisor

Since 1912, when it was started by a group of California walnut growers, Diamond of California® was on a mission to bring the bounty from California’s Central Valley walnut orchards to America’s tables. From the beginning, we sought out the very best with the knowledge that Diamond Nuts would be used in treasured and new family recipes. Today, we bring a wider range of nuts from our growers and farms to tables worldwide. Now almost 110 years later, we are still guided by our belief that Diamond Nuts are Made for Homemade. Along with our sister company (National Pecan), Diamond of California is part of Diamond Foods, LLC, headquartered in Stockton, California. Diamond Foods is now owned by Blue Road Capital, a private equity firm based in New York, which is focused on holdings in the agricultural space. With the support of Blue Road Capital, Diamond of California is during a major transformation to create a modern growth brand participating the growing consumer desire to incorporate more plant-based products in their diets, for reasons including health and wellness, taste, texture, and variety. POSITION OVERVIEW:The Laboratory Supervisor supervises, coordinates, and monitors all activities conducted in the Diamond Foods Chemistry and Microbiology laboratories and satellite labs. This position works collaboratively with multiple cross-functional teams including but not limited to production scheduling, operations, sales, customer service, and quality. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:- Oversees technicians and daily lab operations. Manages the workflow.- Creates schedules and monitors employee productivity. Works with Sr. Director of Food Safety and Quality to develop, implement, and evaluate goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. - Has detailed working knowledge of instruments and equipment in the lab.- Shall have detailed familiarity with all laboratory and quality control tasks, functions, programs, specifications, and required skills. May be required to perform stated tasks if necessary.- Monitors and enforces laboratory and plant safety conditions, Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, and instructs and advises personnel in appropriate measures.- Maintain inventory and purchases supplies for the laboratory and quality control as needed. Assures the purchases of supplies are at the best prices to remain within budget.- Monitors laboratory and quality control instruments and equipment conditions and schedules necessary maintenance and repairs.- Maintain current industry knowledge of analytical, microbiological, physical, and other associated fields.- Provide technical training and skills development as needed for work assignments.- Oversees technicians and assist to perform routine microbiological analyses: Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus, coliforms and E. coli, total plate counts, yeast and mold counts. Also specialized analyses as requested or for method development.- Responsible for owning the Pathogenic Environmental Monitoring Program including areas to be swabbed, frequency, corrective action, and communication with the operations and sanitation teams- Oversees technicians and assist to perform routine chemical analyses: Free Fatty Acid (FFA) Titration, Peroxide Value (PV) Titration, Aflatoxin, Moisture, Salt, Sugar, etc.- Ensures all data is recorded and maintained to ISO standards- Performs product releases for shipments and issues “HOLDS” and “RELEASES”. Able to disposition product in accordance with food safety and quality standards.- Responsible for creating and distributing quality shipment documents such as COAs, Aflatoxin Certs, etc. and interfacing with the customer service department in order to ensure end-use customers receive all requirements in a timely manner.- Assures safety of all technicians in the laboratory.- Maintains a clean and neat work area. Responsible for identifying laboratory cleaning frequency and completion of cleaning to standard. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMEPTENCIES - Strong understanding of microbiology and chemistry. Preferred experience with the food processing industry.- Excellent communication skills to articulate results in a conducive manner. - Highly driven individual capable of setting goals and expectations.- Problem solving skills and proven sound decision-making skills are required.- Must be able to interact cooperatively with other associates and other departments in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to adapt and be flexible for changes in work routine. SKILLS- 3M Petrifilm or similar testing- PCR or MDS experience preferred- Experience with Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs)- Excellent Oral Communication and Written Communication Skills - Planning and Organization - MS Word, Excel, Outlook EDUCATION & TRAINING - Bachelor’s degree in Food Safety, Microbiology, or Chemistry or equivalent required- HACCP Certified- PCQI Trained Preferred- SQF Practitioner training preferred- 3+ year’s quality management experience preferred COMMITMENT TO COMPANY OBJECTIVESEmployee will commit to support and abide by the Diamond Foods Code of Conduct and Quality Policies. This entails: - Customer satisfaction- Environmental Sensitivity- Integrity in work and treatment of coworkers- Plant Safety, Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance, Production Excellence and Continuous Improvement- Achievement through training, monitoring and verification.Salary Range: $80k - $95KBonus Target: 7.5%We offer competitive compensation and an excellent benefits package.Diamond Foods, LLC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Pre-employment drug testing and background check required. Interested parties may submit their resumed to hbolanos@diamondfoods.com Diamond Foods will consider for employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements. Diamond Foods, LLC does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes. Diamond Foods will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with Diamond Foods, LLC.