Head of Quality Control Labs

About Circle U Foods, Inc. At Circle U Foods, we’re passionate about delivering high-quality products and outstanding service. Our mission is simple: exceed expectations through innovation, efficiency, and a commitment to food safety.

We’re proud of our inclusive culture that celebrates diversity and empowers our team to thrive. We strive to create an environment that drives accountability and continuous improvement.

With a focus on safety, transparency, and ethical practices, we partner with our customers and stakeholders to build lasting value. Circle U Foods is more than a business—we’re a family dedicated to making a positive impact in our industry and community.

Job Summary: The Quality Control Supervisor leads the day-to-day work of the Quality Control team and laboratory. This position is responsible for maintaining qualified QC coverage, assigning and monitoring daily work, training and evaluating technician competency, addressing routine employee performance concerns, and ensuring required inspections, sampling, chemical and physical testing, and record reviews are completed accurately and on time.

The position has authority to stop an activity and place product or materials on hold when food safety, quality, identity, labeling, traceability, or specification conformance may be compromised.

Team Leadership and Daily QC Oversight Lead, schedule, train, coach, and support QC technicians; Ensure technicians are trained and qualified on approved procedures, specifications, testing methods, and equipment.

Provide regular coaching, feedback, and recognition to QC employees.

Address routine performance or conduct concerns promptly and consistently, coordinating with the Quality Manager and Human Resources as appropriate.

Promptly communicate and escalate significant food safety, quality, regulatory, safety, or product concerns to the Quality Manager.

Testing, Inspection, and Product Control Oversee routine chemical and physical testing, including pH, water activity, salt or salinity, and other approved product tests.

Review test results and QC records for accuracy, completeness, traceability, and conformance to approved specifications.

Place affected product or material on hold and maintain clear status control until an authorized disposition is completed.

Verify required product, packaging, label, lot-code, weight, changeover, receiving, and pre-operational checks are completed as required.

Handle routine QC staffing, workflow, testing, documentation, and GMP matters independently within established procedures and assigned authority.

Laboratory Readiness and Quality Support Maintain laboratory instruments, calibration and verification records, reference standards, reagents, glassware, and supplies in clean, organized, serviceable condition.

Support audits, investigations, corrective actions, food safety activities, and continuous improvement projects within the QC function.

Communicate issues clearly, recommend next steps, and escalate significant food safety, regulatory, customer, employee safety, or product-disposition matters to the Quality Manager.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: Minimum of two years of quality control experience in a food manufacturing environment. At least one year of direct supervisory experience or equivalent responsibility for scheduling, training, coaching, work assignment, and employee follow-up.

Hands-on experience performing and interpreting routine chemical and physical product testing, including pH, water activity, and salt or salinity testing.

Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP-based food safety systems, allergen controls, product specifications, holds, releases, traceability, and corrective action.

Ability to make timely decisions, manage competing priorities, communicate clearly, and remain composed during production or quality issues.

High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications: Associate degree, bachelor's degree, technical certificate, or related coursework in Food Science, Quality Assurance, or a related field preferred. HACCP, SQF, PCQI, or related food safety training.

Experience with electronic quality or production systems and Microsoft Office.

Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Work is performed in office, laboratory, warehouse, and food production environments.

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, use computers and laboratory equipment, and perform work requiring manual dexterity.

Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and comply with all PPE, GMP, hygiene, and safety requirements.

Occasional schedule adjustments may be required for planned production, employee coverage, audits, training, or urgent quality events.

Other Duties: Follow food safety and quality protocols.

Follow GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), housekeeping and safe work practices.

Circle U Foods offers a benefits package that includes:

Company paid employee-only health (HMO), dental, vision, and life insurance. A PPO health plan is offered with a cost share.

Voluntary insurance plans for short-term disability coverage, Accident, Hospital and Critical Illness.

Additional voluntary life insurance policy available

Equal Opportunity Employer Circle U Foods is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, performance, and business needs without unlawful discrimination.

J-18808-Ljbffr Circle U Foods, Inc.