Quality Assurance Tech Lead - Forsyth, MO

Quality Assurance Tech Lead - Forsyth, MO

The Quality Assurance Lead is responsible for coordinating and leading day-to-day quality assurance activities on the production floor while supporting the Quality Assurance Supervisor in maintaining compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements. This role acts as a working lead, providing guidance to QA team members, supporting inspections and audits, performing in-process testing, maintaining in-process equipment, and ensuring quality expectations are consistently met.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for QA activities during assigned shifts
• Provide day-to-day direction, training, and mentorship to Quality Assurance team members
• Ensure QA coverage and task completion in accordance with priorities set by the QA Supervisor
• Assist in onboarding and training of new Quality Assurance personnel
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

Quality Assurance Operations

• Perform and oversee inspections, audits, and quality checks of materials, processes, and finished product
• Ensure adherence to quality procedures, work instructions, and specifications
• Review, document, and escalate nonconforming material and quality concerns
• Support containment, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Conduct in-process tablet testing in accordance with approved test methods and specifications
• Perform routine maintenance, cleaning, calibration checks, and basic troubleshooting of in-process equipment to ensure proper operation and data integrity

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate quality records and reports
• Verify documentation is completed correctly and in compliance with internal and external requirements
• Assist the QA Supervisor with audit preparation and responses
• Support compliance with applicable quality standards (e.g., GMP, FDA, customer requirements)
• Document in process testing results and equipment maintenance logs in accordance with data integrity requirements

Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicate quality expectations and issues clearly to production and operations teams
• Work closely with Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain to resolve quality issues
• Escalate recurring or significant quality risks to the QA Supervisor in a timely manner
• Support customer complaints and investigations as assigned
• Collaborate with Technical and Maintenance teams when in-process testing equipment requires repairs or calibration beyond routine maintenance

Continuous Improvement

• Identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for quality improvement
• Assist in developing and implementing process improvements
• Encourage adherence to best practices and standardized processes
• Recommend improvements to in-process testing procedures and in-process equipment maintenance practices

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• A minimum of 25 years ADM manufacturing experience or prior Quality Assurance experience
• Prior lead or senior QA experience preferred
• Working knowledge of quality systems, inspections, and nonconformance processes
• Basic understanding of root cause analysis and CAPA
• Ability to read and interpret specifications, drawings, and procedures
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and quality documentation systems
• Basic understanding of in-process testing methods and safe operation of in-process equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing or regulated environment
• Exposure to GMP, FDA, or other quality standards
• Internal audit experience
• Strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with in-process instrumentation or routine in-process equipment maintenance is a plus

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the production environment, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and talk or hear
• Must be able to reach with hands and arms
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and move up to 250 pounds using a pallet jack
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Flexibility to work varying schedules or overtime as needed
• Use of PPE required

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Leadership and teamwork
• Decision-making and accountability
• Effective communication
• Time management
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Technical accuracy in in-process testing and equipment care

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. REF:110705BR

Archer Daniels Midland