Laboratory Manager

Johnsonville Location: Tech Center

Our No. 1 priority at Johnsonville is providing a safe work environment for every Member we employ. Our industry-leading safety record, coupled with the safety awards we’ve received, demonstrate this commitment. Members of our safety team maintain the safety of Johnsonville Members in our facilities, continuously finding new and better ways to do so. We’re also dedicated to producing only the highest-quality products for consumers worldwide to enjoy – ones we would be proud to serve at our own family table. Our quality team ensures Johnsonville meets or exceeds all standards set by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), of the US Department of Agriculture and other regulatory agencies. Our commitment to quality is unparalleled, thanks to the dedication of each quality team member.

Position Overview

As Johnsonville’s Laboratory Coordinator (Manager), you’ll have the opportunity to lead and develop our microbiology and chemistry teams while building laboratory capabilities that make an impact across the business. You’ll ensure reliable, accurate and defensible laboratory testing, lead our journey to A2LA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, and create a culture of quality, continuous improvement, and audit readiness. You’ll also partner across the organization to turn technical insights into meaningful action and ensure our laboratory continues to meet the evolving needs of the business.

Responsibilities

Accreditation & Quality Management

Lead attainment and maintenance of A2LA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, including the application, scope, assessments, renewals, and corrective-action responses.

Own the laboratory quality management system, including document control, internal audits, management reviews, nonconforming work, complaints, corrective action, impartiality, confidentiality, and continual improvement.

Maintain proficiency testing, quality indicators, and objective evidence demonstrating the ongoing suitability and effectiveness of the accredited scope.

Technical Leadership - Meat Microbiology & Chemistry

Provide technical oversight for meat and poultry sample receipt, preparation, microbiology and chemistry testing, result review, and reporting.

Ensure methods are fit for use through appropriate selection, verification, validation, quality controls, measurement traceability, equipment control, and evaluation of uncertainty where applicable.

Authorize defensible results and lead technical investigations, method troubleshooting, technology evaluation, and support for plant and enterprise needs.

People Leadership & Laboratory Operations

Coach laboratory members and maintain documented training, competency assessment, authorization, cross-training, and succession coverage for critical responsibilities.

Direct staffing, workflow, sample custody, testing schedules, safety, supplies, budgets, capital planning, service providers, and laboratory capacity.

Maintain LIMS data integrity and use trends, statistical analysis, and process improvement to strengthen reliability, turnaround time, and cost effectiveness.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Technical Influence

Serve as the laboratory technical representative with FSQ, Operations, Sanitation, R&D, Regulatory, Engineering, Supply Chain, suppliers, and co-manufacturers.

Translate microbiology and chemistry results, trends, capabilities, limitations, and emerging risks into clear business context and recommended actions.

Partner on investigations, validations, startups, process changes, and food safety initiatives while protecting laboratory impartiality and result integrity.

Proactively align laboratory methods, technology, capacity, and priorities with evolving business needs.

Education

Bachelor’s in microbiology, food science, meat science, or related science required

Experience

7+ years of progressive laboratory experience in food, meat, microbiology, chemistry, or another regulated testing environment, required

3+ years of laboratory leadership or supervisory responsibility, required

Proven success building team capability and leading laboratory operations while balancing quality, service, capacity, and business priorities

Background working within or implementing an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory, required

A2LA assessment preparation or participation strongly preferred

Food or meat microbiology and chemistry testing background, including pathogen, environmental, compositional, and rapid methods, strongly preferred

Experience with LIMS, data governance, statistical analysis, and Microsoft 365 applications, preferred

Skills

Strong knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025, accreditation requirements, and audit readiness

Knowledge of method verification/validation, quality control, proficiency testing, corrective action, equipment and document control, and competency authorization

Strong scientific judgment and risk-based decision-making

Ability to translate technical and accreditation requirements into practical, sustainable laboratory processes

Strong root-cause analysis, problem-solving, and continuous-improvement capabilities

Effective project management, prioritization, and change leadership

Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to balance daily execution and long-term laboratory strategy

Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly across laboratory, plant, regulatory, and leadership audiences

Other Requirements

Travel: Less than 10% of your time

Benefits and Compensation

Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off, as well as access to the 24/7 onsite fitness center, and onsite medical clinic! Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

About our Company

Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!

Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.