Quality Control Manager in Farmingdale, New Jersey at NutraStar Inc

Quality Control Manager
Location: Farmingdale, NJ
Employment Type: Full-Time/On Site
Schedule: Mon-Thurs: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Fri: 8 am – 2 pm
Salary Range: $85,000-$95,000
Company Overview:
NutraStar is a fast-growing contract manufacturer specializing in the formulation and production of high-quality nutraceuticals. With more than 300 employees and a reputation built on customer service, precision, quality, and innovation, we serve some of the most respected brands in the health and wellness industry. Our continued investment in people, technology, and infrastructure drives our rapid growth and positions us as leaders in our field.

Position Summary
The Quality Control Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing NutraStar’s Quality Control (QC) operations to ensure that raw materials, in-process materials, finished products, and laboratory activities meet established quality standards, specifications, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
This position provides leadership to the QC team and is responsible for ensuring effective testing, accurate laboratory documentation, timely release of materials and products, investigation of out-of-specification results, and continuous improvement of QC processes. The Quality Control Manager will work closely with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, R&D, Warehouse, and Supply Chain to maintain a strong culture of quality and compliance throughout the organization.

Essential Responsibilities
Quality Control Management
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the Quality Control department, including laboratory testing, sampling, inspection, and product evaluation.
• Lead, coach, train, and develop QC personnel to ensure a knowledgeable and effective team.
• Establish department priorities, schedules, and workload assignments to support manufacturing and production timelines.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging components, in-process materials, and finished products are tested according to approved specifications and procedures.
• Review and approve laboratory results, test data, and QC documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Ensure timely communication of QC testing results to Quality Assurance and other applicable departments.
• Monitor QC turnaround times and identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency.
Laboratory & Testing
• Oversee laboratory testing performed using established methods, specifications, and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate sampling and testing of incoming raw materials and finished products.
• Manage analytical testing performed internally and through third-party laboratories.
• Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and analytical reports for compliance with established specifications.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and qualified as required.
• Maintain appropriate laboratory controls, records, and documentation.
• Ensure testing methods and procedures remain current, accurate, and compliant with applicable requirements.
Investigations & Nonconformance
• Lead or support investigations involving Out-of-Specification (OOS), Out-of-Trend (OOT), deviations, nonconformances, complaints, and laboratory errors.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to identify root causes and implement appropriate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Ensure investigations are thorough, timely, well documented, and scientifically sound.
• Identify recurring quality issues and recommend corrective actions and process improvements.
cGMP & Regulatory Compliance
• Ensure QC activities are performed in accordance with applicable FDA requirements, cGMP regulations, company policies, SOPs, and quality standards.
• Maintain compliance with applicable requirements for dietary supplement and nutraceutical manufacturing.
• Support internal, customer, regulatory, and third-party audits and inspections.
• Provide QC documentation and technical information during audits as needed.
• Ensure laboratory records and testing documentation are maintained in an accurate, complete, and traceable manner.
• Promote data integrity and good documentation practices throughout the QC department.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Quality Assurance to support product release and overall quality systems.
• Partner with Manufacturing to identify and resolve quality issues affecting production.
• Collaborate with R&D on product specifications, testing requirements, and analytical methods.
• Work with Purchasing and Supply Chain on raw material quality concerns and supplier-related issues.
• Communicate quality trends, risks, and concerns to senior management.
• Provide technical guidance to other departments regarding testing, specifications, and quality requirements.

Continuous Improvement
• Identify opportunities to improve QC processes, laboratory efficiency, testing procedures, and documentation.
• Establish and monitor department KPIs and quality metrics.
• Participate in quality improvement and process optimization initiatives.
• Assist in developing and updating QC SOPs, specifications, forms, and work instructions.
• Support the implementation of new laboratory equipment, technology, and testing methodologies.

Leadership Responsibilities
• Directly supervise and develop QC employees.
• Conduct training, performance evaluations, and coaching as needed.
• Ensure employees are properly trained on SOPs, laboratory procedures, cGMP requirements, safety practices, and documentation standards.
• Establish clear expectations and hold team members accountable for performance and quality.
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, and a strong quality-focused culture.

Qualifications
Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Quality, or a related scientific field.
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Control, Quality Assurance, laboratory operations, or a related role within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of supervisory or management experience.
• Fluent in Spanish and English
• Experience working in a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing, specifications, sampling, and quality documentation.
• Experience with OOS investigations, deviations, CAPA, and root-cause analysis.
• Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred
• Experience in nutraceutical, dietary supplement, food, pharmaceutical, or related regulated manufacturing.
• Experience with FDA-regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience with raw material and finished-product testing.
• Experience managing third-party laboratory testing.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), ERP systems, or electronic quality management systems (eQMS).
• Experience supporting customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.
• HACCP, PCQI, ASQ, or other relevant quality certification is a plus.

Knowledge & Skills
• Strong knowledge of cGMP requirements and quality systems.
• Knowledge of dietary supplement
utraceutical manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of laboratory testing and analytical principles.
• Ability to interpret specifications, laboratory results, COAs, and technical documentation.
• Strong investigation and root-cause analysis skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and team-management capabilities.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on data and quality requirements.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Success in this position may be measured through:
• QC testing turnaround time
• Timely product/material release
• OOS/OOT investigation completion
• Laboratory error rate
• Testing accuracy and data integrity
• Audit findings related to QC
• CAPA effectiveness
• Equipment calibration and maintenance compliance
• SOP and training compliance
• QC department productivity and efficiency
• Customer and internal quality complaints

Physical Requirements
• Ability to work in a manufacturing and laboratory environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility as required.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move materials and laboratory supplies.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to work around manufacturing equipment, laboratory materials, and production environments.

Why Join NutraStar?
As a growing leader in the nutraceutical industry, NutraStar offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact quality initiatives while working in a collaborative and safety-focused environment. You’ll play a vital role in ensuring product quality for customers worldwide.
NutraStar is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at our Company is based solely on job-related qualifications