Laboratory Operations Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Salary Range: $105,000 to $140,000, based on experience.

Position: LAB SUPERVISOR

Description:

AmeriStaff Employment and Staffing Solutions is seeking a Laboratory Manager for a manufacturing operation in Martinsville, VA. The ideal candidate will provide technical leadership and operational oversight for laboratory activities supporting metal processing operations. This individual will ensure the accuracy and reliability of analytical testing, lead laboratory personnel, maintain quality and regulatory compliance, and partner with cross-functional teams to support safe, efficient, and high-quality production.

Benefits of the Laboratory Manager:

• $105,000 to $140,000, based on experience.
• Opportunity to lead and develop a skilled laboratory team.
• Opportunity to serve as a key technical resource within a growing manufacturing operation.

Responsibilities of the Laboratory Manager:

• Provide leadership and oversight for laboratory operations, ensuring analytical services effectively support production, quality, research, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage daily laboratory operations, including workflow prioritization, staffing, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, procurement, vendor management, equipment utilization, and overall operational efficiency.
• Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate laboratory personnel while establishing performance expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality systems, and best practices to ensure consistent and reliable analytical results.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, onboarding, development, and retention of laboratory personnel.
• Oversee laboratory Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) programs, including monitoring analytical performance, validating test methods, investigating discrepancies, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local requirements related to laboratory operations, chemical handling, environmental compliance, and workplace safety.
• Promote a proactive laboratory safety culture through proper training, safe work practices, and compliance with applicable safety standards.
• Manage the development, validation, optimization, and continuous improvement of analytical methods, testing procedures, and laboratory processes.
• Serve as the laboratory's primary technical resource, providing analytical guidance and troubleshooting complex laboratory and production issues.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, metallurgy, quality, maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to resolve technical challenges, identify process improvements, and optimize production performance.
• Evaluate laboratory instrumentation, technologies, and software to ensure capabilities remain current, efficient, and aligned with operational needs.
• Maintain the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of laboratory data while ensuring timely reporting of analytical results.
• Represent the laboratory during cross-functional meetings, customer interactions, regulatory inspections, and internal or external audits.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements for the Laboratory Manager:

• Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry principles, laboratory instrumentation, QA/QC methodologies, and laboratory safety practices.
• Demonstrated experience with analytical chemistry, analytical instrumentation, method development, and laboratory quality systems.
• Experience developing and maintaining laboratory policies, SOPs, and quality management systems.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or production operations through analytical testing, technical troubleshooting, and continuous process improvement.
• Experience coordinating laboratory resources, equipment, inventory, procurement, and vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships with operations, engineering, metallurgy, quality, maintenance, and other cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of applicable environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements governing laboratory operations.
• Proficiency with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Microsoft Office applications, and statistical analysis software.
• Experience in non-ferrous smelting, metal refining, recycling, or metallurgical processing strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel occasionally based on business needs.

Education & Experience:

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a closely related scientific discipline required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible laboratory experience within an industrial, chemical processing, manufacturing, metals, mining, or related environment.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience leading laboratory personnel and daily laboratory operations.
• Relevant certifications in laboratory management, quality systems, or safety preferred but not required.

Since 1985, AmeriStaff Employment & Staffing Solutions has been providing staffing support to companies throughout Virginia and North Carolina. AmeriStaff's first clients were mostly textile and furniture. From our beginnings in seasonal industrial staffing, we have expanded to include: healthcare, nursing, clerical, accounting, technical, direct hire and temp to hire, just to name a few. In addition to servicing a wide variety of clients, we have also provided tens of thousands of job seekers with employment opportunities. AmeriStaff has 8 locations servicing Virginia and North Carolina. Our service areas in Virginia include: South Boston, Halifax County, Mecklenburg, Chase City, Clarksville, Danville, Pittsylvania County, Chatham, Martinsville, Henry County, Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Stuart, Patrick County. In North Carolina, we service: Eden, Reidsville, Rockingham County, Stoneville, Madison, Greensboro, High Point, Yanceyville, Roxboro, Person County, Burlington, Mebane and surrounding areas.