The Senior Analytical Chemist will lead the QC Laboratory team (analytical and microbiology) in developing, implementing, and periodically evaluating all QC Laboratory programs to ensure the organization's production operations, from raw materials to finished products, meet the quality, integrity, purity, and efficiency standards set by the industry and organization.

The primary responsibility of this position is to plan and direct the activities of the QC Laboratory and manage the performance of all services following internal goals and objectives, FDA regulations for OTCs and cosmetics, and company policies and procedures. This role will focus on customers' expectations, preventing problems, and continuously improving results for themselves, customers, and other employees. The employee will support developing and implementing laboratory programs, including tracking, analyzing, reporting, problem-solving, and analytical expertise to the organization and customers. The successful candidate will lead the development and maintenance of a work environment that fosters employee participation and drives a high-performing team of Chemists and Microbiologists while instilling a quality-focused culture.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for testing finished goods and raw materials.
• Provide a positive example while directing and coordinating daily activities and process improvement initiatives within the QC Laboratory.
• Determine appropriate methods working with staff to create and/or modify test methods.
• Assure all methods are properly documented and followed according to company policies.
• Develop and maintain quality data in the ERP system to release raw materials and finished products with pristine quality and integrity.
• Ensure QC Laboratory processes, procedures, and activities comply with governing bodies such as FDA regulations for cosmetics and OTCs (21 CFR Parts 210 & 211,) USP, local regulations, and environmental regulations on hazardous waste handling and disposal.
• Lead, implement, and maintain good laboratory practices (GLPs.)
• Establish, schedule, and conduct effective training programs to promote a solid functional understanding of quality systems and quality-related tools.
• Full authority to meet internal and customer standards, which may include implementing containment processes and/or other procedures.
• Direct, plan, and implement systems to ensure internal and customer quality requirements are met and/or surpassed.
• Maintain open and timely communication with all analytical and microbiological testing stakeholders and support other departments and leadership to achieve company goals.
• Determine, maintain, and communicate budgetary necessities to ensure adequate funds are allocated to run the QC Laboratory efficiently and effectively.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an internal laboratory auditing program.
• Subject matter expert (SME) on all organization's analytical and quality control testing activities.
• Proficiency in running and maintaining analytical instrumentation and developing and performing analytical test methods, specifically ICP, HPLC, wet chemistry techniques, GC, refractometer, density, and pH.
• Proficiency in writing technical documents, protocols, reports, and SOPs.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information to a non-technical audience, both verbally and written.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions in various group settings consisting of customers, cross-functional departments, peers, and senior leadership, as well as assess the level of disclosure of proprietary information based on the audience.
• Knowledge and experience utilizing industry-related resources to gather information, troubleshoot, and resolve quality issues.
• Ability to work on multiple projects with competing priorities and tight deadlines with excellent time management.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive work experience in an FDA-regulated testing laboratory environment (cosmetic, OTC, or pharmaceutical industry preferred).
• 5 + years of formation experience within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Minimum of 1 + years managing direct reports in a laboratory setting.

Salary: 100-125K DOQ

Benefits: Supplied by client
Medical, dental, vision, PTO, short-term/long-term disability, accident insurance and 401k with match.

The successful candidate must be local to the Twin Cities & a US citizen.
About Versique:

Versique: /ver-seek/ adj. being both versatile and unique; n. a high-performance recruiting firm specializing in executive leadership search, direct hire, and interim hiring solutions. 

Versique Executive, Professional, & Interim Recruiting is a locally owned and operated hiring and placement firm based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With specialized practice areas across our three divisions, Versique delivers tailored expertise to a wide range of industries. What sets us apart is our team of recruiters—seasoned professionals who have worked in the very fields they now hire for, providing unmatched industry insight and connections.

We believe people are more than just resumes—they are transformative, unlocking the potential for organizational growth and success.

Versique is proud to be award-winning, earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list for 2023. We are also consistently recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace and were named a Best Place to Work in 2022 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Let's find your people, together.

Versique is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

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