Lab Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Manager – Lab Manager
Job Description

The QA/QC Manager serves as the lab manager and is responsible for overseeing and maintaining quality assurance and quality control systems across the laboratory, cellar, and bottling operations. This role ensures that all products consistently meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and production specifications. The QA/QC Manager leads quality initiatives, manages laboratory operations, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to support product integrity, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive QA/QC programs, protocols, and procedures that support consistent product quality.
• Establish inspection processes and testing methodologies to verify that products meet defined specifications and standards.
• Create, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) aligned with regulatory requirements, including TTB, HACCP, and critical control points.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the quality team to promote accountability, technical excellence, and high performance.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and quality excellence throughout laboratory, production, cellar, and bottling operations.
• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, ensuring accurate testing and analysis of samples from winemaking, cellar, and bottling processes.
• Ensure proper calibration, maintenance, and operation of laboratory equipment to maintain accuracy and reliability of test results.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, and adherence to safety standards and good manufacturing practices (GMP).
• Partner with safety teams to manage chemical handling, storage, and disposal procedures in compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
• Monitor quality across winemaking, cellar, and bottling operations to ensure consistent adherence to product specifications.
• Apply methods such as Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) standards to verify that production meets defined quality thresholds.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve quality issues in collaboration with production and cellar teams.
• Support and lead root cause investigations, and implement corrective and preventive actions to address non-conformities and recurring issues.
• Track and analyze quality metrics using tools such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare clear and timely reports on quality performance, non-conformities, corrective actions, and process improvements.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, including documentation and recordkeeping for domestic and export products.
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining accurate records, traceability, and evidence of compliance with quality systems.
• Drive process improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and maintaining or elevating quality standards.
• Partner with leadership to define, monitor, and report on quality key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance goals.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, methods, or tools that improve testing accuracy, reduce costs, and optimize processes.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S within production and laboratory environments to improve organization and productivity.
• Oversee production quality checks for both winemaking and bottling activities, ensuring consistency and adherence to specifications.
• Support employee scheduling and equipment maintenance planning for laboratory operations to ensure adequate coverage and uptime.
• Monitor facility conditions, including temperature, humidity, and sanitation, to support product quality and compliance.
• Provide cross-functional support to production, cellar, and bottling teams to maintain workflow, resolve quality concerns, and uphold quality standards.
• Ensure laboratory and production practices comply with good manufacturing practices (GMP) and internal quality management systems (QMS).

• Bachelor’s degree in Enology, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in quality assurance or quality management, preferably within wine, beverage, or food manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and their application in a production setting.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements, including TTB, HACCP, and relevant food safety standards.
• Solid understanding of bottling and production operations, including quality checkpoints and process controls.
• Hands-on experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC) for monitoring and improving process performance.
• Experience conducting root cause analysis and using structured problem-solving methodologies to resolve quality issues.
• Experience in KPI development and performance tracking to measure and drive quality outcomes.
• Knowledge of laboratory practices, cellar operations, and bottling quality control procedures.
• Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret quality metrics and make sound decisions based on data.
• Proven decision-making abilities in a production or laboratory environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present findings, influence stakeholders, and collaborate across departments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to mentor, coach, and develop team members.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration abilities, working effectively with production, cellar, bottling, safety, and leadership teams.
• Proficiency in quality control practices, laboratory operations, and good manufacturing practices (GMP).

• Professional certifications in quality, food safety, or related fields (such as ASQ, HACCP, or similar credentials) are preferred.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S or related lean methodologies.
• Familiarity with Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) standards and their application in production quality checks.
• Experience working in wine, beverage, or food manufacturing environments with complex regulatory and quality requirements.
• Comfort working with domestic and export documentation and compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to maintain detailed records, documentation, and traceability.
• Manual dexterity for handling laboratory equipment and tools accurately and safely.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in laboratory and production environments.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 20 lbs and occasionally lift up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, and perform repetitive tasks associated with laboratory and production work.
• Visual acuity to inspect products, read instruments, and monitor production processes effectively.
• Ability to climb stairs or ladders occasionally in production areas as needed.

This role operates across laboratory, production, cellar, warehouse, bottling, and office environments, providing exposure to a wide range of processes and technologies. The work setting includes exposure to noise, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet surfaces, particularly in cellar and bottling areas. The position involves regular interaction with chemicals, cleaning agents, and production equipment, requiring strict adherence to safety procedures and good manufacturing practices. Team members may need to enter restricted or confined production areas as operational needs dictate. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, gloves, and protective footwear, is required to perform many tasks safely. The role may involve extended hours, weekends, and overtime during peak production periods to support bottling schedules and harvest or high-demand seasons. The environment is fast-paced and collaborative, with close coordination between laboratory, production, cellar, and bottling teams to maintain high quality standards, operational efficiency, and a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Acampo, CA.

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Acampo,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 2026.

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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.