Full Time Fab Lab Manager Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

*Eterna Management*
Quality-Driven Laboratory Excellence
Laboratory Manager
Department:
Laboratory Operations
Reports To:
Director of Operations
Location:
Santa Ana, CA
Employment Type:
Full-Time
Industry:
Hemp-Derived Products / Production
Salary:
$75,000-$100,000
Position Overview
3PL Hemp Derived Company is seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to lead, organize, and elevate laboratory operations across our Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Research & Development (R&D) functions.
This role is responsible for building structure, implementing systems, managing team performance, and driving continuous improvement in efficiency and accuracy. The ideal candidate brings both operational leadership and a strong technical foundation—someone who doesn't just manage processes but understands the science behind the results.
The laboratory has an established team and existing processes, with significant opportunities for standardization and improvement. This is not a build-from-scratch role; it is about organizing, refining, and elevating what's already in place.
This position works closely with Quality Assurance to ensure all laboratory activities align with established quality standards and COA requirements. The Laboratory Operations Manager is expected to take full ownership of lab operations, proactively identify issues, and implement solutions that improve consistency, efficiency, and performance.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Workflow Management
Oversee daily laboratory operations across COA and R&D functions
Manage sample tracking, prioritization, and third-party laboratory coordination
Ensure all deadlines and turnaround times are consistently met
Prioritize workload and allocate resources to ensure critical tasks are completed efficiently
Identify workflow inefficiencies and implement process improvements to reduce errors and rework
Monitor and evaluate third-party laboratory performance, including turnaround time, result consistency, and reliability
Take ownership of operational issues and resolve them independently, escalating only when necessary
Proactively identify emerging issues and address them without requiring direction for day-to-day problem solving
Conduct and present analyses on new R&D projects, including summarizing findings and providing clear operational insights
Technical & Analytical Oversight
Review and interpret COA results with a strong understanding of underlying test methods
Provide insight into laboratory results, including identifying potential causes of unexpected or inconsistent outcomes
Evaluate whether results are impacted by formulation, raw materials, sample handling, or laboratory variability
Analyze relationships between raw material COAs and finished product results to identify sources of variability
Communicate with third-party laboratories regarding methodologies, discrepancies, and result interpretation
Support investigation of failed or out-of-spec (OOS) results and identify root causes
Document investigation findings and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
Systems & Documentation
Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned with quality standards
Implement tracking systems for samples, tasks, and team performance metrics
Establish COA review checklists and documentation procedures
Organize and maintain digital files, records, and laboratory documentation
Maintain batch records, logs, and operational tracking systems with clear traceability
Ensure all systems support efficient backtracking of samples, materials, and results
Ensure accuracy and integrity of all laboratory data, records, and reporting
Team Leadership & Management
Directly manage COA Manager, R&D Manager, and laboratory technicians
Conduct weekly team meetings and track action items to completion
Assign responsibilities, set expectations, and enforce deadlines
Train staff on procedures, documentation standards, and workflows
Develop team members' understanding of laboratory processes, COA interpretation, and quality documentation
Build accountability and a culture of ownership within the laboratory team
Reporting & Quality Alignment
Provide structured weekly operations reports with KPI tracking
Communicate delays, risks, and issues clearly and proactively to leadership
Collaborate with Quality Assurance on COA standards, documentation requirements, and discrepancy investigations
Ensure all workflows align with quality and regulatory documentation requirements
Qualifications Required
Demonstrated experience in laboratory operations, including workflow coordination, documentation systems, and process improvement
2 years Management experience
Strong understanding of laboratory testing methods (e.g., HPLC, GC, or similar analytical techniques) and their impact on COA results
Ability to interpret laboratory data and explain underlying causes of results—not just pass/fail outcomes
Proven experience managing people, setting expectations, and enforcing deadlines
Strong organizational skills, systems thinking, and attention to detail
Excellent communication skills and follow-through
Preferred
Experience working within quality systems or regulated environments
Experience working with third-party testing laboratories and reviewing COAs
Cannabis or hemp industry experience strongly preferred
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field (or equivalent hands-on laboratory experience)
What Success Looks Like
Clear SOPs and organized systems are in place and actively maintained
Workflow efficiency has measurably improved and errors are reduced
COA results and variability are well understood and clearly communicated
Consistent weekly reporting provides full operational visibility to leadership
Traceability is strong—issues can be backtracked quickly and effectively
Teams are meeting deadlines and operating with accountability
Laboratory operations run in a structured, predictable, and scalable manner
First 90 Days
During the first 90 days, the Laboratory Operations Manager will be expected to:
Audit and organize existing documentation and tracking systems
Implement weekly reporting cadence and structured team meetings
Develop SOPs for key laboratory workflows
Improve sample tracking and COA review processes
Begin identifying root causes of recurring issues and implement corrective actions
Establish clear accountability standards and deadline management practices
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to take full ownership of laboratory operations within a growing hemp-derived products company. You will have a direct impact on product quality, operational performance, and the overall reliability of our testing and compliance processes.
The role offers the chance to build and refine systems that support continued growth and scalability. It is ideal for someone who thrives on improving processes, solving problems, and understanding the “why” behind laboratory results—not just the “what.”

PI7ae30101b41b-25405-40858580