Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor

<p><strong>Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor – Personal Care </strong></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Location:</strong> Ottawa, IL</p><p><strong>Schedule:</strong> Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM </p><p><strong>Job Status:</strong> Direct Hire</p><p><strong>Salary Range:</strong> $75,000 – $85,000 / year</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Position Overview</strong></p><p>We are seeking an experienced and hands-on <strong>Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor</strong> to lead laboratory quality activities for a growing manufacturing operation producing personal care, beauty products: hair care, skin and face care, body care and OTC personal hygiene items. In this vital role, you will manage a dedicated laboratory team of approximately <strong>10 Quality Control Chemists</strong> operating across first, second, and weekend shifts.</p><p>This position blends technical laboratory leadership with people management, compliance oversight, and continuous improvement. If you are a collaborative leader who ensures testing is completed accurately, maintains rigorous GMP/SOP standards, and drives right-first-time performance, we want to hear from you!</p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p><ul><li><strong>People Leadership &amp; Shift Coordination:</strong> Lead, coach, and supervise ~10 QC chemists across multiple shifts. Plan daily lab coverage, balance workloads, coordinate shift handoffs, and manage onboarding, training, and performance reviews.</li><li><strong>Product Quality Oversight:</strong> Oversee in-process, bulk, and finished-product testing for hair care, skin care, beauty, and OTC lines. Review analytical data and provide quality dispositions and batch release recommendations.</li><li><strong>Technical Investigations:</strong> Lead investigations for out-of-specification (OOS) or atypical results, driving root-cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), and sound scientific resolutions.</li><li><strong>Compliance &amp; Continuous Improvement:</strong> Maintain compliance with cGMP, FDA regulations, SOPs, and safety standards. Prepare the lab for internal and regulatory audits while driving efficiencies and error reduction.</li><li><strong>Production Support:</strong> Provide real-time technical guidance to manufacturing teams regarding batch adjustments, process deviations, and new product scale-ups.</li><li><strong>Instrument Oversight:</strong> Maintain working knowledge of laboratory equipment (including UHPLC, FTIR, pH/conductivity meters, viscometers, and centrifuges) and ensure instruments are properly calibrated and fit for use.</li></ul><p><strong>Required Qualifications</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Education:</strong> Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.</li><li><strong>Experience:</strong> 5+ years of progressive QC, analytical lab, or manufacturing quality experience, including prior leadership or supervisory experience.</li><li><strong>Industry Background:</strong> Experience supporting personal care, beauty, OTC pharmaceuticals, topicals, or a similarly regulated manufacturing environment.</li><li><strong>Technical Knowledge:</strong> Working knowledge of GMPs, lab investigations, CAPAs, change controls, audit readiness, and reviewing analytical batch data.</li><li><strong>Skills:</strong> Strong problem-solving, organizational, and cross-functional communication skills with a hands-on, detail-oriented work ethic.</li></ul><p><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></p><ul><li>Hands-on experience with UHPLC, FTIR, and standard physical testing methods.</li><li>Familiarity with LIMS, electronic quality management systems, or ERP systems.</li><li>Formal training in root-cause analysis, Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.</li><li>Prior experience managing multi-shift or off-shift/weekend laboratory operations.</li></ul><p><br /></p>