Vantage is a leading supplier of naturally derived specialty ingredients and formulations that cater to the evolving needs of industrial and consumer markets. Through our chemistries, our customer focus and our global footprint, we are ENABLING TOMORROW'S SOLUTIONS TODAY.As a company on the move, you'll be working as part of a collaborative team and getting to know the cultural diversity of our world. We learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voice and talent of our colleagues by empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We're convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results. Most importantly, we know you're going to like it here. For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage
Nature and Purpose (Job Overview):The Quality Chemist oversees all Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) functions at the site, ensuring compliance with relevant quality standards and fostering continuous improvement across operations. This role ensures alignment with the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) and acts as the site's primary representative for quality-related matters.
Key Responsibilities Below are the primary responsibilities:
1. Quality Leadership and Documentation Management- Serve as the site's Quality Representative, overseeing all quality documentation and ensuring timely document reviews in accordance with the QMS.
- Review and approve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and validation plans from other departments to ensure compliance with QA standards.
2. Non-Conformance Investigations and Reporting- Lead root cause analysis and reporting for all material non-conformances.
- Provide support for supplier and customer quality issues, ensuring swift resolution.
3. Product Testing and Analysis - Oversee and conduct in-process and final testing of samples, ensuring results align with SOPs.
- Generate and maintain Certificates of Analysis (COAs) based on internal and third-party testing.
- Investigate abnormal test results through root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
4. Product Specification and Raw Material Evaluation- Perform analytical testing to define product specifications and shelf-life terms for new raw materials.
- Prepare study protocols, gather data, and present recommendations to support production and packaging needs.
- Conduct supplier evaluations and support raw material qualification efforts.
5. Laboratory Operations and Equipment Maintenance- Manage the daily operations of the laboratory, including maintenance and calibration of equipment.
- Ensure all laboratory equipment is in working order, scheduling calibrations as needed, and documenting results.
6. Audit and Compliance Management- Conduct internal audits following ISO 9001:2015 standards and support external audits across other company sites.
- Maintain complete and accurate records of all COAs, ensuring compliance with internal and external standards.
7. Inventory Management and KPI Reporting- Oversee inventory management for all composite and retained samples.
- Monitor quality metrics and present updates on key performance indicators (KPIs) during monthly quality meetings.
8. Reagent and Consumable Management- Maintain adequate stock of laboratory reagents and consumables, preparing them as required for sample analysis.
- Dispose of expired reagents in accordance with SOPs and regulatory guidelines.
9. Safety and Hazardous Waste Management- Promote a culture of safety and represent the department on the Safety Committee.
- Develop and maintain Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) for laboratory activities.
- Manage and document hazardous waste quantities to ensure regulatory compliance.
10. Sample Management and Product Specification Maintenance- Log, prioritize, and test samples promptly, ensuring timely reporting of results in the QMS or ERP/LIMS systems.
- Manage product specifications, including any customer-specific requirements, within ERP/LIMS systems.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
- A minimum of 4 years of experience working in an analytical laboratory environment.
- At least 2 years of experience managing quality systems, with formal training or certification in ISO 9001 or a similar system.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
- Strong organizational and document management abilities.
- Effective supervisory and interpersonal skills.
Desirable- Experience with ERP/LIMS systems for managing product specifications and quality documentation.
- Quality management experience in a manufacturing environment.