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Laboratory Manager – Analytical Chemistry

Location: Oscoda, Michigan

Schedule: Monday-Friday- Flexible hours

Salary: $80-90k depending on experience

About the Opportunity

Lighthouse Lab Services is partnering with an environmental analytical laboratory seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for its Analytical Chemistry Laboratory. This role is responsible for maintaining laboratory excellence across PFAS, heavy metals, and VOC testing while ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, Michigan EGLE requirements, and DoD-ELAP accreditation standards.

The Laboratory Manager will serve as the technical and operational leader for the facility, balancing scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, production goals, and business objectives. This individual will oversee laboratory personnel, workflow optimization, quality systems, instrumentation strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations & Leadership

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for Analytical Chemistry Laboratory operations.
• Manage laboratory throughput, resource allocation, staffing schedules, and production priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel across Technician I, Technician II, and Analyst levels.
• Provide hands-on technical training and ensure staff maintain appropriate competency levels.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, quality, and laboratory performance.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain laboratory compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and DoD-ELAP accreditation requirements.
• Serve as the primary authority for implementation and adherence to the DoD Quality Systems Manual (QSM).
• Provide final technical approval and sign-off authority for high-stakes analytical data packages.
• Ensure laboratory procedures, documentation, and quality systems meet regulatory and client requirements.
• Partner with Quality Assurance leadership to investigate Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), Non-Conformances (NCRs), and audit findings.

Audit Management & Quality Systems

• Lead preparation and execution of internal, state, federal, and client audits.
• Coordinate audit responses and corrective actions with Quality Assurance teams.
• Support Root Cause Analysis (RCA), including 5-Why investigations and process improvements.
• Ensure laboratory documentation and technical records are audit-ready.

Technical & Instrumentation Oversight

• Provide technical oversight for analytical platforms including LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and GC-MS.
• Oversee troubleshooting, preventative maintenance strategies, and instrument lifecycle planning.
• Evaluate opportunities for analytical expansion, including new methods such as EPA 1633.
• Support procurement decisions and provide financial justification for new instrumentation and laboratory capabilities.
• Ensure analytical methods remain current with regulatory standards and industry best practices.

Business & Strategic Growth

• Partner with executive leadership on laboratory strategy, operational goals, and resource planning.
• Manage laboratory budgets and approve expenditures related to equipment, supplies, and operational needs.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, method expansions, and service growth.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemistry, Environmental Science, or a related scientific discipline required.

Experience

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience working in an accredited environmental laboratory.
• At least 2 years of laboratory management or supervisory experience required.
• Experience with PFAS, heavy metals, VOC testing, or other environmental analytical chemistry applications strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting ISO 17025, DoD-ELAP, or state accreditation programs required.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry workflows, including LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and GC-MS instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory quality systems, data review, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex analytical instrumentation and workflow challenges.
• Experience overseeing method validation, SOP development, and implementation of new testing methodologies.
• Familiarity with EPA methodologies and environmental laboratory standards preferred.

Leadership Skills

• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to balance technical requirements with operational and business priorities.
• Proven ability to mentor technical teams and build a culture of quality and accountability.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a laboratory environment and perform duties requiring extended periods of standing or sitting.
• Ability to lift and move laboratory materials and equipment as needed.

Laboratory Authority & Oversight

The Laboratory Manager serves as the final technical authority for laboratory operations, including:

• Final approval of analytical deliverables and high-impact data packages.
• Oversight of laboratory personnel competency, training, and qualification requirements.
• Approval of new and revised laboratory procedures and SOPs.
• Accountability for maintaining ISO/IEC 17025, DoD-ELAP, and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic oversight of laboratory performance, instrumentation, and operational improvements.

Salary & Benefits

• $80-90K depending on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package available.

About Us

At Lighthouse Lab Services, we offer solutions to help start, grow, and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has over 22 years of proven success placing job seekers in positions ranging from entry-level Medical Technologists to seasoned Laboratory Directors. We recruit nationwide for permanent and travel positions with clients ranging from small hospitals to large reference laboratories.

It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual

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