Lab Lead

Description

Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, is seeking to add a Lab Lead to our team.

The Lab Lead at Rack & Riddle is primarily responsible for overseeing laboratory operations while supporting still and sparkling wine quality control initiatives. This role combines hands-on analytical chemistry and microbiology with critical thinking to support root cause investigations. Acting as a key bridge between the lab, cellar, QC and bottling lines, this role ensures the absolute quality, data integrity, and compliance of millions of cases of premium client wines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Laboratory Operations

• Perform and oversee routine and non-routine laboratory analyses (e.g., chemical, physical, stability, and product quality testing).

• Ensure accuracy, reliability, and timely reporting of lab data.

• Maintain advanced laboratory equipment (e.g., Foss WineScan, auto-titrators, Alcolyzers, DMA), ensuring proper calibration schedules and strict documentation.

• Uphold strict safety protocols, regulatory standards, and compliance guidelines within the laboratory environment.

Quality Control Support

• Partner closely with the production QC team to monitor, audit, and verify product quality across all manufacturing lines.

• Assist with quality verification activities to ensure materials, specifications, labeling, and production processes comply with client, regulatory, and company requirements.

• Provide technical recommendations regarding product holds, product releases, line clearance decisions, and quality risk assessments.

Root Cause Investigation

• Lead technical investigations for quality deviations, non-conformances, and out-of-specification (OOS) laboratory results, or bottling line packaging failures.

• Apply structured problem-solving to trace anomalies back to raw materials (corks, glass, grapes), environmental factors, or automated equipment faults.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with cellars, bottling lines, and winemaking teams to develop and execute Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs).

• Verify the effectiveness of corrective and preventative actions to ensure sustainable resolution and prevention of recurrence.

Process Improvement

• Identify and execute opportunities to optimize lab efficiency, reduce sample turnaround times, and strengthen data integrity.

• Support development and refinement of SOPs and best practices.

• Help shift QC from reactive to proactive through data-driven insights.

• Utilize quality data, production observations, and trend analysis to identify risks, drive preventative actions, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with winemaking, production, and compliance teams to ensure alignment between product specifications, labeling requirements, and production execution.

• Act as a communication bridge between on-site lab and QC team, production managers and client-facing winemakers.

• Clearly communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to management.

• Provide technical leadership, coaching, training, and mentoring to QC technicians and production staff.

Requirements:

A successful candidate's background will include:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or a related scientific discipline (or equivalent experience).

• Experience: 3-5+ years of hands-on laboratory operations and/or quality control experience within a regulated manufacturing environment (food, beverage, wine, consumer goods, or pharma). Prior experience in high-volume custom crush facilities or dedicated wine production.

• Ability to interpret data and translate it into actionable insights.

• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to deploy critical thinking and structured root cause analysis techniques.

• Technical Expertise: Proficient with high throughput laboratory instrumentation (FOSS WineScan, Admeo SPICA), data management systems (Vintrace, SharePoint), and Microsoft Excel for data analysis.

• Knowledge Base: Foundational understanding of traditional Méthode Champenoise secondary fermentation chemistry, Charmat tank systems, and low/no-alc process.

• Skills: Exceptional detail tracking, analytical logic, and the communication skills required to manage quality data across multiple production teams.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Environment: Split between a climate-controlled laboratory environment and an active, wet production floor/cellar environment.

• Physical Demands: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, perform repetitive fine-motor lab tasks, safely handle laboratory chemicals, and lift/move up to 40 pounds (e.g., wine cases, chemical carboys).

• Schedule: Full time. Must have flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, or alternative shifts during peak operations and the annual harvest season.