Lab Manager en T. Marzetti Company

Overview:

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for establishing and leading a Center of Excellence (COE) in microbiological and analytical testing to support strategic business objectives. This role drives the development and standardization of best practices, ensuring scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency across all laboratory functions. The Laboratory Manager champions Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), fosters a collaborative and high-performing team culture, and upholds company standards in food safety, product quality, and scientific innovation. This role also provides technical leadership, supports cross-functional initiatives, and leads continuous improvement efforts to ensure laboratory capabilities are aligned with evolving business needs and industry expectations.

Responsibilities:

Lab Oversight and Operations

· Manage day-to-day operations of the corporate microbiological and analytical testing laboratories including staff supervision, scheduling, and performance management.

· Ensure testing accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, ISO 17025), compliance with internal methods and standards, and accreditation requirements; perform basic statistical analysis to assess data quality.

· Maintain proper documentation, lab safety, and technician training standards.

· Ensure laboratory operations meet quality and efficiency standards through adherence to GLP, SOPs, and regulatory guidelines (FDA, USDA, ISO 17025, HACCP, GMP).

· Oversee equipment calibration, cleaning, maintenance, and troubleshooting; perform minor repairs and ensure audit readiness.

· Investigate non-conformances, lead corrective action implementation, and verify effectiveness.

· Support the Food Safety Center and Quality departments and perform additional duties as assigned.

Corporate Microbiological Testing Program Ownership

· Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Corporate Microbiological Testing Program at the corporate lab and support the programs at the facility level.

· Standardize pathogen and indicator organism testing protocols, sampling plans, and response strategies.

· Support the facility environmental monitoring programs and microbiological deviations or incidents.

· Ensure alignment with regulatory and customer expectations for microbiological risk management.

· Provide technical support and contribute to spoilage investigations and microbial study design (e.g., NACMCF Pack/Challenge Study Protocols).

Analytical Quality Assurance Program Ownership

· Develop and lead the Analytical QA Program to standardize methodology across all labs and manufacturing sites.

· Oversee the selection, validation, and implementation of analytical test methods (e.g., pH, water activity, shelf life).

· Design and manage internal and external proficiency testing programs to ensure lab accuracy and repeatability.

· Drive consistency in lab practices and result interpretation across sites.

Corporate Shelf-Life Program Coordination

· Coordinate and maintain the corporate shelf-life testing program in collaboration with R&D, Regulatory, and QA.

· Define shelf-life testing protocols and review data to validate product claims and support product launches or changes.

· Support investigations related to shelf-life complaints, quality deviations, or customer concerns.

Technical Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Act as the subject matter expert (SME) for all analytical and microbiological testing needs across the company.

· Partner with R&D, Operations, and Plant QA teams to support new product development, pilot trials, and troubleshooting.

· Serve as a liaison to external labs and industry organizations as needed for benchmarking, technical reviews, or innovation.

Program Development and Continuous Improvement

· Create and maintain technical documentation, including SOPs, validation reports, and test method guidelines.

· Maintain organized, accurate records of test results, quality control data, and daily laboratory activities.

· Monitor emerging technologies and regulatory trends to evolve internal capabilities and maintain industry leadership.

· Support digital transformation initiatives such as LIMS integration, automated data capture, and real-time reporting tools.

· Promote company standards, vision, and a culture of professionalism, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Biochemistry, or related field.

· Minimum 5 years of laboratory experience, including 3+ years in a supervisory or management role.

· Strong understanding of food microbiology and chemical testing methods, including pathogen detection, pH, moisture, preservatives, and allergen testing.

· Competence in analytical techniques related to food microbiology and chemistry, such as pH measurement, buffering capacity determination, and chemical analyses relevant to food safety and quality.

· Proven ability to lead and organize lab teams, manage workflows, and optimize lab performance and client satisfaction.

· Experience with PCR, ELISA, and cultural confirmation of pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and E. coli O157:H7.

· Practical experience working within ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory environments; familiarity with other standards like HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, FSMA, or BRC is a strong advantage.

· Knowledge of instrumental analysis (e.g., HPLC, GC, spectrophotometry) and technical aptitude for maintaining and calibrating laboratory equipment.

· Proficient in LIMS, Microsoft Office, and statistical data evaluation.

· Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

· Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed.

· Authorization to work in the United States without restriction or sponsorship.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

· PhD in a relevant scientific field.

· Experience in food, pharmaceutical, or environmental laboratory settings.

· Certification in quality or laboratory management (e.g., ASQ, Six Sigma, CLSI) is a plus

· Familiarity with microbial spoilage studies and challenge testing protocols.

· Strong skills in technical writing, data analysis, and laboratory investigations.

· Demonstrated ethical decision-making, adaptability, and a high level of self-motivation.

· Ability to lead and contribute to laboratory audits, accreditations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

· In-depth understanding of buffer capacity models, acid-base equilibrium in complex food matrices, and practical application of titration data for regulatory and product development work.

· Ability to interpret and model complex pH interactions when formulating or analyzing acidified foods, especially to maintain regulatory compliance (e.g., pH below 4.6 for acidified foods per US regulations)

Competencies:

· Customer Focus · Decision Quality · Builds Effective Teams · Collaborates · Drives Results · Plans and Aligns · Manages Ambiguity · Courage

Working Conditions/Environment:

Works in a normal lab environment where the employee is regularly required to speak, see, hear, sit, stand, talk, type, walk and bend while moving about the facility. The noise level in the office is quiet. Occasional travel to plants or meetings is required.

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