Lab Coordinator

Description

Be a Key Ingredient in Our Success: Join Mid America Pet Food as a Lab Coordinator!

At Mid America Pet Food (MAPF), we're passionate about providing nutritious food that enriches the lives of pets. As a Lab Coordinator, you'll be on the front lines, ensuring the integrity and safety of our products. You'll join a team that thrives in a positive and supportive atmosphere where your contributions are recognized and valued. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including generous employer-paid health insurance for full-time employees and their eligible dependents, PTO, FSA, 401k matching, and more. Come grow your career with us!

Job Purpose: Lab Coordinator

The Laboratory Coordinator is responsible for the daily operation of the Quality Assurance Laboratory, ensuring laboratory testing is performed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with company policies, food safety regulations, and MAPF's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This position coordinates laboratory activities, establishes testing priorities based on production needs, maintains regulatory compliance, supports product release decisions, and serves as the primary connection between the laboratory and other departments. The Laboratory Coordinator is responsible for maintaining a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment while ensuring timely communication of quality concerns, out-of-specification results, and laboratory performance metrics to Quality Management.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily laboratory activities based on production priorities.
• Perform and coordinate laboratory testing in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures.
• Perform incoming ingredient inspections, including probing bulk trucks and trailers, collecting representative samples, inspecting ingredient quality and condition, performing required laboratory analyses, and documenting results for ingredient acceptance or rejection.
• Perform quality analyses including, but not limited to:
• NIR Analysis
• Moisture Analysis
• Peroxide Value Testing
• Water Activity Testing
• Mycotoxin Testing
• Other quality testing as required.
• Review and maintain laboratory records and documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and audit readiness.
• Coordinate retain sample management, third-party laboratory submissions, and communicate laboratory results to Quality Management.
• Assist with investigations involving microbiological findings, customer complaints, ingredient concerns, and quality deviations.
• Support product hold, release, and disposition activities by providing accurate laboratory data and technical recommendations.
• Maintain laboratory inventory, laboratory equipment, laboratory calibration schedules, preventative maintenance records, and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.
• Train and provide technical guidance to Quality Assurance Technicians performing laboratory testing.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Utilize NetSuite, RF Smart, Microsoft Office, and other company software to maintain laboratory records and documentation.
• Maintain effective communication with Production, Operations, Procurement, Maintenance, Regulatory Affairs, and Quality Assurance.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and special projects assigned by Quality Management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of three (3) years of laboratory, quality assurance, or manufacturing experience.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn company software systems.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

Preferred

• Experience in food, pet food, feed, agriculture, or related manufacturing.
• Experience performing laboratory analyses including NIR, moisture, peroxide value, water activity, mycotoxin, or similar testing.
• Experience coordinating third-party laboratory testing and retain sample programs.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

This position primarily works on day shift in the Quality Assurance Laboratory and throughout the manufacturing facility. The role routinely supports production through laboratory testing, investigations, incoming ingredient evaluations, environmental monitoring activities, and product release support.

The Quality Laboratory Coordinator may occasionally be required to work extended hours or weekends to support production, food safety investigations, audits, or other business needs. The position also participates in departmental and cross-functional meetings and must be available to review product releases remotely when necessary.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand and walk throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Climb stairs and ladders as necessary.
• Bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive movements.
• Work in varying temperatures and manufacturing environments.
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Perform prolonged computer work and data entry.