Quality Manager

Quality Manager

At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty years our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading laboratory operations, overseeing fermentation performance and production quality, and managing all quality/food/feed certification and accreditation programs at the facility to ensure compliance and to facilitate continuous improvement. This role directs the day-to-day activities of the laboratory, including coordinating the transfer of all internal and third-party laboratories data. The position supports plant operations and final product quality through laboratory data, with the goal of maximizing production efficiency and final product quality while following procedures relating to production and safety of the plant. The Quality Manager plays a key role in monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing the fermentation process. This is an on-site role located in Lake Crystal, MN.

Responsibilities include:

• Effectively lead the team by recruiting, selecting, orienting and training team members.
• Leadership responsibilities also include delegating, coaching, managing performance and career development to effectively execute departmental strategies and support company objectives.
• Foster a culture of safe behavior and environmental compliance at all times.
• Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET's products and processes to deliver a best-in-class culture of quality.
• Manage all aspects of quality control and safety in the laboratory.
• Accountable for laboratory procedures being executed by trained team members who are proficient with instruments and methods to ensure accurate and timely data generation.
• Ensure team members are trained in all aspects of existing laboratory procedures, quality programming, and product quality compliance.
• Manage quality control on all final products and communicate to the appropriate management team when necessary.
• Ensure all site quality Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are up to date and followed.
• Optimize ingredient usage and yield and maximize the efficiency of the fermentation process by reviewing and analyzing data.
• Monitor fermentation and provide data/reports to the management team to help troubleshoot and optimize the fermentation process.
• Work with operations and management on fermentation trials, special testing, and research requests.
• Manage all facility laboratory testing programs, which may include: general plant processes, CO2 systems, water management, environmental testing, final product testing, and third party evaluations.
• Assist in optimizing plant runtime as well as downtime by ensuring a quality end-product through support of laboratory operations and sample analyses.
• Ensure quality assurance elements are executed per POET expectations. These include, but are not limited to, training platforms, support of customer complaints and claims, document management, deviation and risk management, and laboratory equipment calibration requirements.
• Ensure all city, county, state, and federal regulations are met as they apply to POET's Quality Systems.
• Participate in internal and external audits with compliance partners, and both state and federal agencies.
• Monitor cost control for the laboratory department and support chemical management and logistics.
• Present capital request justifications to management.
• Communicate production and laboratory performance results to the plant team and POET Bioprocessing Leadership.
• Ensure ongoing compliance to the POET's Bioethanol Quality Program.
• Ensure participation in all Laboratory Proficiency Testing Programs.
• Ensure ongoing compliance to the POET Corn Kernel Fiber Pathway submissions for Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and EPA-defined programs.

Since we're all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology or related science required.
• 3 years of experience in lab operations with a strong background in lab quality control and standard lab practices required.
• Experience with influential and direct leadership is preferred.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual certification is preferred.
• Prior experience with managing quality programs preferred.
• Prior HPLC, IC and NIR experience preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communications skills as well as the ability to adapt to change.
• Knowledge of the basics of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability of learning new programs.

A successful candidate will have:

• High level of personal integrity
• Interpersonal skills – ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within/outside the organization
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to embrace and promote change
• Innovative mindset
• Ability to think objectively
• Ability to work in a team environment

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This position is largely self-directed and requires understanding of company policy, procedures, and values. Team members will be required to adhere to all safety requirements in all work environments. This position operates in multiple work environments, including a plant environment, a laboratory environment as well as an office environment. In the lab, the team member will work with a range of analytical instrumentation, multiple chemical reagents, and perform various wet chemistry tests. In the office, the team member will work on a personal computer. In the plant environment, the team member may be exposed to noise, heat, and other elements both inside and outside. While performing the duties of this position, the team member will be exposed to moving, mechanical parts, dusty conditions, high noise levels, internal and external temperature/weather conditions, and exposed to chemicals. Due to the physical and safety sensitive nature of this job, you will be subject to a physical and expected to pass a drug screen during the pre-screen process. During employment, you'll be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, self-contained breathing system (may be site specific), hazardous material suit, hearing protection.

This role has some physical requirements that our team members will need to be able to perform, such as:

• Working at extreme heights (approximately 150 ft), in confined spaces, and in extreme temperatures from -20 to +100 degrees Fahrenheit, both indoors and outdoors.
• Frequently: Sit in a chair in the Lab
• Carry to up to 15lbs
• Stand indoors to clean and maintain areas
• Reach at arm's length to gather samples
• Bend while standing
• Use repetitive arm motions to wipe down and maintain work area
• Occasionally: Walk indoors and outdoors sometimes over rough, uneven, or wet/slick surfaces
• Climb stairs and/or ladders
• Be in awkward back, shoulder, wrists, and hand positions
• Bend, twist, turn, kneel, and crouch, while holding light and medium weighted objects

Since we are all about team work, you may be asked to help other roles that have their own unique set of physical requirements.

The compensation for this position is competitive and will be based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. While the compensation range listed is between $80,000 to $95,000 annually, the final compensation offered will be determined by the successful candidate's skills, expertise, and relevant experience.

Culture is king at POET. We're all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren't just slogans on our walls. It's the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It's the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!

Growth and development opportunities at POET encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization.

POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion