QA Lead

The QA Lead oversees daily quality and laboratory operations within a beverage manufacturing facility, ensuring products meet all customer, regulatory, and company standards. This role assigns, instructs, and checks the work of lab and blending employees, supports scheduling, and provides leadership in problem-solving for blend, quality, equipment, and staffing issues. The QA Lead partners closely with quality leadership to drive projects, maintain documentation, uphold Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and ensure consistent compliance with quality and food safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Assign, instruct, and regularly check the work of scheduled lab and blending employees to ensure accurate and efficient completion of tasks.
• Assist with weekly scheduling of lab and blending employees to support production and quality needs.
• Oversee proper documentation throughout the laboratory and blend rooms to ensure complete, accurate, and compliant records.
• Identify and resolve daily issues such as blend problems, quality deviations, equipment concerns, and staffing challenges, and promptly inform the Lab Manager.
• Assist the Quality Manager in leading quality department projects, including sorts, product holds, retests, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Hold self and the quality team accountable for implementing current and future department and company-wide policies and procedures.
• Review all lab and blend specifications daily, prepare Corrective Actions when results do not meet standards or specifications, and advise the Lab Manager.
• Ensure completion of required reports, including but not limited to brittle plastic/glass reports and hold report reviews, according to the established schedule.
• Document and communicate test results in accordance with customer standards, quality requirements, and applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations.
• Ensure current production forms are available in the lunchroom for Production’s use and are kept up to date.
• Operate within safety and quality standards, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and adherence to job specifications.
• Participate in the interview process for new staff as needed and support new employee training on Quality Department policies and procedures.
• Read and comprehend job standards and ensure products consistently meet quality standards and specifications, including coding, carbonation (if required), pressures, air, pH, brix, caffeine (if required), acid levels, weights, temperatures, and time and temperature parameters.
• Maintain accurate records and oversee the maintenance and purchase of laboratory equipment, including scheduling annual calibration and arranging repairs as needed.
• Communicate effectively with other Leads, Production, Managers, and Warehouse personnel to share information and ensure the department runs smoothly during the shift.
• Manage the purchasing and inventory of plant operating supplies, including laboratory testing chemicals, laboratory equipment, GMP/PPE materials (such as gloves, paper towels, hand soap), and production supplies (such as pallet tags and charts).
• Serve as a verifier for bottle and case coding to ensure correct and compliant coding practices.
• Assist in reviewing and revising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for approval by the Lab Manager.
• Review raw ingredients and oversee processes within guidelines to meet and maintain Kosher standards.
• Conduct daily testing of finished products for yeast, mold, and coliforms to verify microbiological quality.
• Provide backup support for Lab Technicians, Blenders, the Microbiologist/Lab Technician, and Food Safety functions as needed.
• Support receiving operations for high fructose and CO2 delivery trucks, ensuring proper quality checks and documentation.
• Fill in on production lines or special projects as scheduled to support operational needs.
• Provide coverage for absences to maintain continuity of quality and lab operations.
• Perform any other duties and projects assigned by laboratory or quality leadership to support departmental and company objectives.

• High school diploma required.
• Previous laboratory or quality control experience required, with experience in the Food and Beverage industry preferred.
• Basic knowledge of microbiology sufficient to accurately perform testing procedures and obtain reliable results.
• Basic knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and policies to ensure a safe working environment.
• Ability to fully comply with Quality Management System policies and procedures and Food Safety Management requirements.
• Ability to work overtime as needed to support production and quality demands.
• Ability to effectively communicate, read, and comprehend instructions and procedures in English.
• Strong analytical skills with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize workload and adjust to shifting daily priorities based on business needs.
• Demonstrated sense of urgency and proactive approach to addressing problems as they arise.
• Ability to calculate and understand basic math and simple formulas, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, averages, production rates, and recirculation rates.
• Proficiency in basic computer data entry and document retrieval.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and teamwork.
• Ability to coach and mentor team members to support their development.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and support training and development initiatives within the department and across the company.

• Associate degree in chemistry or a related field preferred.
• Experience in quality control, quality assurance, or laboratory roles within a food or beverage manufacturing environment preferred.
• Familiarity with FDA, HACCP, GMP, USDA, SQF, BRC, AIB, and GFSI standards is beneficial.
• Background or coursework in microbiology, biology, or chemistry is advantageous.
• Experience working in a micro/quality laboratory environment is a plus.
• Interest in ongoing professional development, including education reimbursement opportunities.
• Ability to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and quality projects.

This role operates within a beverage manufacturing facility and a micro/quality laboratory environment. The QA Lead works around production lines, blending operations, and laboratory testing areas, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and strict safety and quality standards. The position requires adherence to laboratory safety procedures, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and compliance with food safety and quality management systems. Work hours may include overtime based on production and business needs. The environment involves regular interaction with production, warehouse, and other quality personnel, fostering a collaborative and team-oriented culture. The organization offers strong benefits, profit sharing, and education reimbursement programs, supporting employees who are committed to growing their skills and contributing to the company’s long-term success.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Random Lake, WI.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $33.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Random Lake,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 27, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.