Laboratory Operations Manager Jobs in Covington, GA

Job Title

Quality Systems & Laboratory Manager

Job Summary

The Quality Systems & Laboratory Manager is responsible for leading the Locust Grove Quality Management System (QMS), Environmental Management System (EMS), laboratory operations, testing programs, and incoming product quality processes. This role serves as the site owner for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and organizational requirements while supporting operational excellence and continuous improvement.

As a key strategic leader, this position oversees incoming inspection and testing activities, calibration systems, test method validation, quality documentation, and certification management. The position works closely with Corporate Quality, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, and suppliers to ensure products received, tested, and distributed through the facility meet all specified quality and performance requirements.

The Quality Systems & Laboratory Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining  procedures, work instructions, testing protocols, inspection plans, and training programs while fostering a culture of compliance, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

Job Duties

• Lead and maintain the site's ISO 9001 Quality Management System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ensuring ongoing certification compliance and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary management representative and liaison for certification bodies, regulatory agencies, customers, and corporate quality leadership.
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality policies, procedures, work instructions, testing standards, inspection plans, forms, and quality records.
• Manage all aspects of laboratory operations, including testing methodologies, test equipment, laboratory workflow, staffing, and resource planning.
• Establish and oversee incoming inspection and testing programs for products received from domestic and international suppliers.
• Develop and maintain risk-based inspection plans, sampling strategies, product acceptance criteria, and verification activities.
• Lead the administration and continuous improvement of salt fog testing and other product validation testing programs to ensure compliance with applicable standards and customer requirements.
• Manage laboratory accreditation readiness, test documentation, test reports, and product certification records.
• Oversee calibration systems, measurement standards, metrology programs, and equipment qualification processes to ensure accuracy and traceability.
• Establish and maintain test methods, validation protocols, and measurement system controls to support reliable and repeatable testing results.
• Ensure proper control and retention of testing certificates, certificates of conformance, compliance documentation, calibration records, and quality data.
• Manage internal audit programs for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 with corporate, including audit corrective action follow-up.
• Coordinate and facilitate external certification, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Lead investigation and resolution of nonconformances, test failures, customer complaints, supplier quality concerns, and environmental compliance issues.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and Corporate Quality teams to improve incoming quality performance and reduce risk.
• Develop and monitor quality and laboratory performance metrics, dashboards, and management review inputs.
• Oversee the site's document control system and ensure controlled distribution of procedures, specifications, standards, engineering documents, and quality records.
• Develop training programs and competency requirements for quality personnel.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to operational personnel while promoting a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Experience and Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Physical Sciences, Industrial Technology, or related technical discipline.

Minimum 7–10 years of experience in quality systems, laboratory management, testing, inspection, or manufacturing quality.

Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing quality systems, laboratories, or technical operations.

Demonstrated experience managing ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and certification activities and knowledge of ISO 14001.

Experience managing test laboratories, calibration programs, inspection systems, and product testing processes.

Experience supporting incoming quality control, supplier quality, and product verification activities.

Experience with electronic Management Systems (ETQ preferred), calibration management systems, and laboratory data management systems.

Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor preferred.

Working knowledge of corrosion testing, environmental testing, salt fog testing, coatings evaluation, or related laboratory validation methods preferred.

Competencies/Skills

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to establish vision, drive accountability, develop teams, and foster a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and effectively partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, and Corporate Quality leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading quality transformation, compliance initiatives, and organizational change.
• Expert knowledge of ISO 9001 and strong understanding of ISO 14001 requirements, auditing, certification maintenance, and management review processes.
• Experience developing, implementing, and sustaining effective quality and environmental management systems.
• Strong understanding of risk-based thinking, process management, and continuous improvement principles.
• Experience managing laboratory operations, testing programs, test method development, and product validation activities.
• Experience interpreting testing standards, such as ASTM, ANSI, IEC, IEE, etc.
• Understanding of laboratory quality controls, measurement uncertainty, test validation, and data integrity principles.
• Strong knowledge of calibration systems, measurement standards, gauge control, equipment qualification, and metrology principles.
• Ability to ensure traceability, accuracy, and compliance of measurement systems used for inspection and testing.
• Advanced root cause analysis and corrective action skills utilizing 5 Why, Ishikawa, A3, 8D, and risk-based methodologies.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain procedures, work instructions, test methods, inspection plans, specifications, and technical reports.
• Strong document control and records management experience within regulated or certified environments.