QA Samples Management Team Lead (Fruit Ingredients)
$55,000–$70,000 year
On-siteRochester, New York, United States
Job Summary
Oversee end-to-end sample operations across the international fruit ingredient supply chain, managing freezer/refrigerated inventory, real-time stock levels, and lot tracking. Conduct routine audits, monitor shelf-life, and maintain a sanitary lab while designing SOPs for supplier intake, cold-chain packaging, and outbound dispatch. Lead sample coordinators and enforce streamlined intake processes for customer and prospective supplier samples, ensuring 100% accurate Certificate of Analysis pairing. Coordinate documentation for USDA/FDA imports, manage courier relationships, and track high-priority deliveries to ensure temperature integrity. Report monthly metrics on turnaround time, shipping costs, and inventory accuracy. Act as the operational bridge between Sales, Customers, Suppliers, and Quality Control.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in food science, Supply Chain, Operations, Chemistry or related technical discipline
- 4 + years of practical experience
- 5+ years of experience in sample laboratory management or quality assurance within the food & beverage, ingredient, or perishables industry
- Demonstrated experience mapping workflows, writing SOPs, and optimizing operational processes
- Basic understanding of fruit ingredient parameters (Brix, pH, acidity, sensory evaluation, cold-chain maintenance) and lab sanitation/GMPs
- Strong computer skills
- Efficiency mindset, focused on standardization and eliminating redundant steps
- Strong attention to detail with meticulous accuracy in lot numbering, label creation and technical document pairing
- Understanding of the importance of sample turnaround speed related to commercial sales
- Ability to prioritize competing fast-turn requests in a dynamic ingredient import environment
Desired Qualifications
- Preferred experience with international fruit/agricultural import logistics and USDA/FDA regulations
- Preferred Supervisory or team lead experience
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