The Role
Lead and manage QC operations across raw materials, in-process, and finished goods in a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment. Oversee inspection, sampling, testing, equipment readiness, personnel development, investigations, CAPA, and cross-functional continuous improvement to ensure compliance with SOPs and regulatory requirements.
Summary Generated by Built In
At Thorne, we work to deliver high-quality, science-backed solutions to empower individuals to take a proactive approach to their well-being. Each day begins with a mission to help others discover and achieve their best health. We count on our team members to challenge and push the boundaries to make that happen. At Thorne, you’ll be joining a team of more than 750 passionate individuals committed to our cause of providing superior health solutions at every age and life stage.
The Manager, Quality Control is responsible for leading Thorne's Quality Control operations, ensuring the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality products through effective laboratory and inspection processes, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. This role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for Quality Control activities across raw materials, in-process materials, finished goods, and manufacturing support, ensuring all testing, sampling, inspection, and release activities meet current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and applicable regulatory requirements.
The Manager, Quality Control is responsible for leading Thorne's Quality Control operations, ensuring the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality products through effective laboratory and inspection processes, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. This role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for Quality Control activities across raw materials, in-process materials, finished goods, and manufacturing support, ensuring all testing, sampling, inspection, and release activities meet current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and applicable regulatory requirements.
Leading a team of Quality Control Supervisors and inspection personnel, the Manager, Quality Control partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other cross-functional stakeholders to optimize laboratory operations, strengthen quality systems, and drive continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is an experienced people leader with strong technical expertise, sound regulatory judgment, and a proven ability to balance quality, compliance, operational efficiency, and business priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for Quality Control activities, including the inspection, sampling, testing, and disposition of raw materials, in-process materials, finished goods, and reprocessed products.
- Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing Quality Control team, including supervisors and inspection personnel, through hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
- Establish and maintain a culture of quality, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement by ensuring team members receive ongoing training in cGMPs, SOPs, safety requirements, chemical handling, sampling techniques, and inspection procedures.
- Oversee daily Quality Control operations to ensure inspection activities are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with approved specifications, sampling plans, and production schedules.
- Ensure all inspection, measuring, and test equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, and qualified to support reliable quality operations.
- Lead investigations related to nonconformances, deviations, customer complaints, and other quality events, facilitating root cause analysis and ensuring effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) are implemented and sustained.
- Exercise sound technical judgment in material review, defect classification, and product disposition while ensuring compliance with established specifications and quality standards.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and other cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues, improve operational performance, and support successful product launches and manufacturing initiatives.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance Quality Control processes, inspection effectiveness, laboratory efficiency, and organizational scalability.
- Maintain a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing operations and end-to-end product flow to proactively identify quality risks and support operational excellence.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), FDA, OSHA, NSF, TGA, and other applicable regulatory and certification requirements while maintaining inspection readiness.
- Foster a safe and compliant work environment by promoting adherence to company safety policies and implementing practices that minimize contamination risks and protect product quality.
- Identify opportunities to improve quality systems, inspection methodologies, and team performance through innovation, data analysis, and operational best practices.
- Make informed, timely decisions to escalate or stop production activities when product quality, regulatory compliance, or customer safety may be at risk.
WHAT YOU NEED
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Life Sciences, Quality, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered.
- 10+ years of experience in Quality Control, Quality Assurance, or a related quality function within a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment.
- 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing Quality Control teams in a regulated manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and mentoring high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Previous experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, dietary supplement, food, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
Technical Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), FDA regulations, and quality management principles.
- Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel.
- Strong understanding of quality systems, including investigations, deviations, CAPA, nonconforming materials, change control, and document control.
- Experience supporting regulatory inspections, customer audits, and certification activities while maintaining inspection readiness.
- Working knowledge of laboratory operations, inspection methodologies, sampling plans, equipment calibration, and material disposition processes.
- Ability to interpret technical documentation, specifications, SOPs, and regulatory requirements to support sound quality decisions.
Core Competencies
- Proven ability to lead organizational change and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, and operational performance.
- Strong technical judgment with the ability to make risk-based decisions and provide clear, defensible quality and compliance recommendations.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and performance management skills with a demonstrated ability to develop high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience leading investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with frontline employees, cross-functional partners, executive leadership, and regulatory auditors.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and build strong partnerships across Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Regulatory Affairs.
- High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive compensation
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees
- Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
- Company- paid life insurance
- 401k plan with employer matching contributions up to 4%
- Gym membership reimbursement
- Monthly allowance of Thorne supplements
- Paid time off, volunteer time off and holiday leave
- Training, professional development, and career growth opportunities
About
We specialize in delivering innovative solutions and exceptional services to meet the diverse needs of our clients. With a strong commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we strive to exceed expectations and drive success in every project we undertake.
Skills Required
- 10+ years experience in Quality Control or Quality role within a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment (or equivalent)
- 5+ years in a Quality leadership role
- Supervisory and people-management experience
- Working knowledge of cGMPs, SOPs, and applicable regulatory requirements (FDA, OSHA, NSF, TGA)
- Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Demonstrated ability to use Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
- Experience leading investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPA development for nonconformances and deviations
- Previous experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, dietary supplement, or food manufacturing
- Ability to provide clear, defensible technical and compliance-based justification for QC decisions and escalations
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The Company
What We Do
We’re a team of dreamers, scientists, doctors, and health enthusiasts – all working toward the same goal – helping every individual discover and achieve their best possible health. We do it by creating innovative health solutions and by owning every process, from R&D to product delivery and customer service. We intend to defy expectations of good health through home testing technology, dietary and lifestyle education, and superior nutritional products.
