Quality Analyst, Temporary 18 Months (Pea Protein)

Job Description

The Quality Analyst will be part of the QA and Food Safety leadership team with LDC’s new Pea Protein Isolate Facility in Yorkton, and is responsible for ensuring the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of products through microbiological, physical, analytical, and sensory testing. This role includes environmental monitoring, method validation, equipment calibration, and collaboration with R&D to define product specifications. The Quality Analyst plays a critical role in maintaining food safety standards and ensuring product consistency.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead microbiological testing of finished products, potable water, air samples, and environmental monitoring swabs for indicators/pathogenic organisms including Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens) using conventional, rapid, and PCR-based assays.
• Evaluate Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) results to identify trends and proactively address contamination risks.
• Conduct sensory analysis of ready-to-eat products using reference standards and train staff on sensory evaluation techniques. Collaborate with Plant Operations and R&D teams to troubleshoot root causes of sensory deviations. Monitor, trend, and report data fluctuations that may impact product sensory quality as part of the batch release process.
• Lead batch release decisions using integrated results from analytical, microbiological, and sensory testing.
• Execute positive release protocols and initiate product hold procedures when out-of-spec results or quality concerns arise, triggering inspection and cross-functional review.
• Assist with commissioning process of new facility, which includes but is not limited to policy implementation and management, etc.
• Collaborate with the R&D team to manage shelf-life programs, performing longitudinal analysis to validate product stability over time.
• Manage inventory of product samples, laboratory equipment and chemicals using LIMS and/or SAP.
• Lead the metrology program for site labs, including control rooms and grading stations.
• Develop and optimize test methods for the QC laboratory, ensuring methods are validated for accuracy, repeatability, specificity, and robustness.
• Oversee autoclave maintenance and ensure sterilization using biological and chemical indicators.
• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments for foreign material across multiple control measures. Applied HACCP principles to identify optimal mitigation strategies for contaminants at critical control points.
• Conduct formal verification and validation of physical hazard control systems:
  • Metal Detectors: Perform challenge testing using calibrated test pieces to confirm detection thresholds across product matrices.
  • Magnets: Validate magnetic flux density and efficacy of retention under production conditions using Gaussmeters.
  • Sieves: Execute mesh integrity testing and evaluate separation performance against product specifications.
• Perform analytical testing for food and feed using AOAC or other applicable accredited methods.
• Participate in development of testing procedures and QFS considerations related to run time extension exercises.
• Communicate with onsite Management and LDC Plant Proteins R&D team for the implementation of new product SKU's. This will require providing expertise and exercising judgement in the testing procedures related to the new process required for the implementation of new SKU's.
• Audit food safety documentation including inspection logs, CCP monitoring records, and corrective action reports for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory alignment (e.g., FSMA, GFSI, CFIA).
• Deliver food safety orientation and GMP training to new hires and cross-functional teams, reinforcing hygiene, sanitation, and CCP awareness.
• Conduct GMP audits across production and laboratory areas, identifying non-conformities, documenting findings, and initiating CAPA processes.
• Draft detailed CAPA documentation with root cause analysis, containment actions, corrective measures, and preventive strategies; ensure timely communication and implementation across departments.
• Provide after-hours guidance to operations personnel on food safety deviations, urgent lab results, and resolution of production-floor food safety issues in real time.
• Inform Quality Supervisor of out-of-spec results and assist in root cause analysis.
• Swab, monitor and trigger CIP as well as initiate operational/production changes based on results of testing, including but not limited to line and equipment changes, production delays and changes, etc.
• Critical and proactive decision making on potential tests to run based on result trending, whether to rerun the sample or run another test to confirm other indicators, etc.
• Maintain laboratory manuals and participate in audits to ensure compliance.
• Ensure proper disposal of biohazardous waste.
• Conduct preventative maintenance on lab equipment and oversee external vendor contracts.
• Communicate to Production Manager, Manager - Plant Operations and QA Supervisor when tests are unfavorable and make decisions on production/equipment/operational disruptions in order to ensure food safety.
• Exercise judgement and decision-making regarding test results, root cause analysis, additional tests required, limits and anticipated tests to rerun, as well as adaptations for operational processing and Quality procedures as it relates to future testing to improve quality and process optimization based on test results.
• Participates in the proficiency testing/ring test program to validate methods and laboratory performance.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelors degree in the field of Chemistry, Food science, or Microbiology coupled with 5 or more years of relevant work experience in a laboratory performing physical chemical/microbiological analysis using instrumentation and wet chemical methods, preferably within food manufacturing OR a Masters degree in the field of Chemistry, Food science or Microbiology.
• Must have previous work experience with creating and/or maintaining laboratory manuals, policies, procedures, etc.
• Must have previous work experience preparing, reporting and analyzing laboratory results to a broad audience, both onsite in Yorkton SK and to LDC management offsite as required, with the ability to provide complex explanations of findings.
• Previous work experience performing preventative maintenance on simple lab equipment.
• Prior experience in product development or R&D lab setting.
• Previous work experience with complex lab equipment (Autoclave, NIR devices, Protein analyzer, Lazer particle size analyzer, bio safety cabinets) also preferred.
• Must have previous audit experience, preferably in QC Laboratory audits with experience ensuring all chemicals used for analytical testing are current and not expired causing false results.
• Must follow safe work practices in the laboratories and workshops, GMPs, as well as actively communicate all safety concerns to supervisors and managers.
• Strong computer literacy (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word and SAP).
• Excellent at multitasking and good organizational skills.
• Detailed oriented and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy skills.
• Preferred knowledge of instrumental analysis such as protein analyzer, Particle size analyzer, NIR and UV-Vis spec, and ICP.
• Active contributor of the QA and Food Safety leadership team, which may require participation in investigations, training Operators, producing findings relative to food safety or performance concerns onsite, etc.
• Able to work weekends and after hours when required, as well as work in work environments with varying odors, temperatures, noise, etc.

Additional Information

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including extended health care and dental coverage, employee and family assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage

- Retirement Savings Plan with Employer contributions and matching

- Paid vacation, paid sick time and paid statutory holidays

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us