The Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor oversees QC laboratory operations, including raw material, in-process, bulk, stability, and finished product testing, ensuring compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and quality systems. This role leads the QC team, ensures accurate and timely testing, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and maintain a culture of quality and compliance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead and supervise the QC Chemists, ensuring optimal performance, productivity, and adherence to quality standards and laboratory procedures.
- Oversee all QC laboratory activities, including raw material, in-process, bulk, finished product, and stability testing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with approved methods and established protocols.
- Develop, implement, and maintain QC policies, procedures, specifications, test methods, and work instructions in compliance with cGMP, FDA, ISO, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Review and approve laboratory test results, Certificates of Analysis (CoAs), specifications, and other quality documentation to support the timely disposition and release of materials and products.
- Lead laboratory investigations for out-of-specification (OOS), ensuring root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance, R&D, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to address quality issues and drive continuous process improvements.
- Oversee method validations, stability program, and laboratory equipment calibration/maintenance programs to ensure accuracy and reliability of test results.
- Ensure all QC staff are adequately trained on laboratory procedures, safety requirements, and Good Documentation Practices.
- Monitor laboratory performance through key performance indicators (KPI), identify opportunities for improvement, and implement initiatives to enhance efficiency, productivity, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
- Support laboratory resources, including staffing, scheduling, workload prioritization, laboratory supplies, equipment, and budget planning to support business objectives.
- Maintain compliance with current cGMP, FDA, ISO, USP, and other applicable regulatory and industry standards, implementing changes as necessary to ensure continued compliance.
- Prepare, analyze, and present laboratory performance reports, quality metrics, trends, and improvement initiatives to senior leadership.
- Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits by providing QC data, records, and responses to audit observations.
- Promote a culture of quality, safety, continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence throughout the QC Laboratory.
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
- 5+ years of QC or analytical laboratory experience in a cGMP-regulated environment, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of cGMP, FDA, ISO, and applicable regulatory guidelines.
- Experience in cosmetic, OTC drug, pharmaceutical, or personal care manufacturing preferred.
- Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation (e.g., pH meter, Viscometer, FTIR) and method development/validation.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite Office.
- Fully on-site position, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday).
- Ability to stand for extended periods while working in the laboratory.
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. when handling laboratory equipment or materials.
- Manual dexterity for operating laboratory instruments and handling samples.
- Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including lab coats, gloves, and safety glasses.
- Competitive compensation package
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401K program with matching contributions
- The spirit of a startup with the security of an established, profitable industry leader
$75,000 – $85,000 annually
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related scientific discipline
- Master's degree
- 5+ years of QC or analytical laboratory experience in a cGMP-regulated environment
- At least 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role
- Strong knowledge of cGMP, FDA, ISO, USP, and applicable regulatory guidelines
- Experience in cosmetic, OTC drug, pharmaceutical, or personal care manufacturing
- Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation (pH meter, Viscometer, FTIR) and method development/validation
- Experience leading OOS investigations and implementing CAPA
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
- Fully on-site availability, 5 days a week in Torrance CA
- Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 25 lbs, operate laboratory instruments, and wear PPE
What We Do
We’re Prime Matter Labs, a beauty and personal care contract manufacturer with 40 years of experience working with amazing brands to create award-winning products recognized by the media and loved by consumers. In partnership with our customers, we are taking the lead in the beauty and personal care industry by being innovative in the processes and technologies we use and the products we create together. We offer our customers a full set of end-to-end capabilities from concept development to shipping, with critical attention to the steps in between including formulation, testing, quality control, packaging, manufacturing, and filling. With customers across Indie, Emerging and Established brands, we work on a variety of projects including custom development, reverse engineering, stability and efficacy improvement, and formulation clean-up to meet natural and organic criteria. We consistently invest in R&D, technology, our facilities, and our team, to enhance our capabilities. Our R&D chemists have developed thousands of best-in-class skin, hair, body and sun care formulations, leveraging innovative technologies and ingredients. With one of the broadest sets of certifications and full in-house testing capabilities, our facility is one of the few in the country that can truly deliver your entire personal care line end-to-end. We deliver a level of service, support, and transparency unmatched in the industry, and our project management team can handle projects of any size or complexity with ease and meticulous precision. From idea to launch - as production partners, we want you to shine. To see open positions, please go to our website at: https://bit.ly/2TgRbY4 Signup for our monthly newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/hTcbqX Find all our social channels here: https://withkoji.com/@PrimeMatterLabs
