Quality Lab Technician III

Fluent is a vertically integrated cultivator, processor, formulator, and retailer of Premium Cannabis Products currently operating in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas as Fluent Cannabis. Our purpose is to compassionately provide patients access to the highest level of medical cannabis in an unrivaled, professional healthcare environment with outstanding customer service.

Patient care always comes first at Fluent, and our standards, practices, and performance is unmatched.

We are looking for leaders who want to work alongside great talent and create positive work experience for their team. We are focused on continuous improvements, which creates development opportunities, engaged feedback, and increased contributions towards our goals as a leader in the medical cannabis industry.

Find out more at www.getfluent.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

ROLE SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to ensure successful Quality Lab operations at the Tampa, FL facility. Manage operations and staff in the testing laboratory to ensure efficient operation and maintenance of the test laboratory. Plan, organize and control workflow to accomplish all lab functions in a safe and efficient manner. Ensure timely completion and communication of test results.

Work cross functionally with manufacturing lab to ensure highest quality products. This position will play a key role in developing, implementing, and upgrading quality lab policies and standard operating procedures, as well as compliance, development, and implementation of GMP prerequisite programs.

This position will also ensure compliance with all operating procedures, product inventory, as well as applicable federal, state, county, and municipal laws, ordinances, and regulations in both quality and manufacturing labs.

Hours 7:30AM-4:30PM (tentative)

Shift – Monday-Friday, follow up on Saturday and Sunday via call and text.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support, plan, manage and execute the daily, short term and long-term activities, and goals associated with chemistry and microbiology labs and product testing programs within the Quality Control team to support the manufacturing of cannabis products.
• Conduct quality verifications of all lab extraction, formulation, and internal testing processes to ensure product and process specifications are met and GMP compliant.
• Ensure that all necessary testing is carried out and the associated records evaluated, verified, and retained.
• Ensure that information in BioTrack is up to date and accurate.
• Conduct internal audit on daily basis to ensure GMP and DOH requirements are met.
• Conduct verification of monthly, quarterly, and end of year lab inventory.
• Ensure that non-conformities, out of specifications/trends are investigated and closed in a timely manner.
• Participate in the creation/review of procedures, work instructions, methods and other Quality Documents that are required. Provide support and training by ensuring a transfer of knowledge.
• Ensure that Quality Control activities are properly set and followed.
• Ensure implementation of good laboratories practices.
• Partner with management to lead quality initiatives that develop and maintain a high performing, scalable, and compliant quality system.
• Lead team to develop and implement control plans and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) for laboratory processes to the identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards.
• Publish monthly metrics focused on lab progress.
• Undertake any other tasks as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to the laboratory's success.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related fields
• Must have three to five years in manufacturing test/quality assurance lab environment within a regulated environment.
• Experience in leading/implementing a strong Lab safety culture.
• A working knowledge of quality and food safety systems (e.g., GLP, cGMP, HACCP, Sanitation, Maintenance, Calibration)
• Previous experience within a cannabis testing lab highly preferred
• Ability to use a variety of lab equipment and instruments including incubators, scales/balances, pipettes, and chromatography.
• Knowledge of lab safety/training requirements.
• Ability to handle the physical requirements of the position.

SKILLS

• Possess strong technical skills in laboratory analysis and quality management / improvement by comprehensive tools and creative mindset.
• Experience leading/implementing a strong Lab Safety Culture
• Proficient with Laboratory Information Management Systems, Microsoft Office, and Monday.com software.
• Strong background in Root Cause Analysis, Problem Solving, Preventive Actions (ability to anticipate problems, use of 8D, Fault Tree Analysis, 5 Why, etc.)
• Experience in BioTrack software.
• Strong communication skills: both written and verbal.
• High level of attention to detail with strong organizational skills
• Comfortability making decisions in a changing environment.
• Creating and reporting quality data
• Must be a multitasker, with the ability to work on several requests simultaneously without losing focus.
• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Must possess an inquisitive and creative mind.
• Ability to build good relationships. There will be frequent contact with internal team members, either face to face or by telephone or email.
• Ability to handle the physical requirements of the position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related fields
• Must have three to five years in manufacturing test/quality assurance lab environment within a regulated environment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Per state law, must be at least 21 years of age.

Must successfully complete a comprehensive background check.

Must pass a drug screening.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None expected.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in a manufacturing and distribution environment. This role uses standard office equipment such as computers/laptop, printers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines, laminators.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand for extended periods; walk; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms.

Must be able to individually lift up to 35 lbs, repeatably, through out the day. Push and Pull cart and large racks of material, from room to room, this may require two individuals, while Regular and predictable attendance is essential.

POSITION TYPE / EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This position may require long hours and possible weekend work.

TRAVEL

None expected but no more than 5%.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The company will ask you to help in other departments depending on the company’s needs. This means that you may not always work in the department that you were hired, teamwork and getting product out to patients is the goal and this means helping where you are needed is crucial to your success as well as the company’s success.

AAP/EEO Statement

Fluent is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other classification protected by law.

COMPANY BENEFITS

Fluent provides comprehensive benefits offerings to all full-time employees. Our benefits include medical, dental and vision and supplemental insurance, paid time-off program and non-matching 401k plan.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and will be required to submit proof of such eligibility. FLUENT participates in E-Verify to ensure a legal workforce.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.