QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

General Accountability:
Responsible for the overall implementation and management of the laboratory Quality Assurance (QA) program and ensuring that quality objectives established by management, regulatory programs and project plans are met.

Specific Responsibilities:
 Responsible for laboratory QA activities
 Responsible for maintaining All Quality Assurance documents.
 Responsible for QA functions, including but not limited to the QA manual and maintaining standard operating procedures
 Coordinates proficiency testing programs
 Maintains certifications/accreditations for regulatory agencies and client certification or approval programs
 Acts as primary point of contact during laboratory audits
 Coordinates scheduled audits with laboratory staff
 Provides audit responses and initiates any changes in procedures resulting from an audit
 Coordinates the analysis of proficiency testing samples required for certification/accreditation programs
 Reports and reviews results of the analysis
 Supervises QA Assistant and QA Assistant functions
 Conducts internal audits and makes recommendations for corrective action
 Provides technical assistance to Project Managers and laboratory staff on QA/QC issues, project feasibility and methods interpretation/development
 Facilitates and/or performs training and maintains DOC documentation
 Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
 Proficient with electronic applications including MS Word, MS Excel, etc.
 Demonstrated knowledge if various analytical chemistry techniques and procedures used throughout the laboratory
 Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work with colleagues and multiple clients in a professional and organized manner
 Experience in a cGMP analytical chemistry laboratory a plus
 Able to effectively manage the QA program based on these key skills:
o Have a thorough understanding of analytical laboratory quality assurance concepts
o Have the ability to interpret program requirements
o Convey concepts or requirements to the lab staff
o Ability to identify and define problems; collect analyze and interpret data and information; draw appropriate conclusions; propose solutions and/or corrective action
o Ability to organize and prioritize work with minimal guidance and to manage projects in a timely and effective manner.
o Should have the ability to reorganize and reschedule work on short notice in order to meet revised deadlines and be sufficiently flexible to understand and handle multiple and varied projects, which may not fall within this job description

Required Education, Skills, and Qualifications

 BS/BA in Chemistry or related field
 Minimum of 10 years experience in the environmental laboratory industry with working knowledge of regulatory (NELAP, state, DoD, etc.) requirements for laboratories.

Location

Kelso, WA. Columbia Analytical - Kelso is the largest laboratory in the network with over 50,000 square feet of laboratory and support space. Kelso is a scenic corner of SW Washington ideally situated 130 miles south of Seattle and 50 miles north of Portland along the I-5 corridor.  With a comfortable rural life style and small-town character, residents are removed from urban congestion, yet have ample access to city amenities and abundant year-round outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, kayaking, wind sailing, boating, camping, etc.).

Company

Columbia Analytical Services, established in 1986, is a full-service analytical laboratory network, specializing in environmental and pharmaceutical testing. Our vision is simple: to be the best analytical services company in the industry.

Benefits

Columbia Analytical offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including 401(k), employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), health and life insurance, domestic partner benefits, and flexible spending account. Equal Opportunity Employer. Women/minorities/disabled/veterans encouraged to apply.

Submit resume to:

Columbia Analytical Services, Inc.
Corporate HR
1317 S. 13th Avenue
Kelso, WA 98626

or email:

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