Frsearch Partners

Job Description Cannabis Laboratory Director Job Description Job Title: Cannabis Laboratory Director Reports To: Senior Director, Operations Location: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, PA *Relocation assistance will be available if appropriate Compensation: $140,000 to $160,000 base salary + Benefits + 401K + PTO Job Summary: The Laboratory Director is responsible for overseeing all scientific, regulatory, quality, and operational aspects of a state-compliant cannabis testing facility. This role ensures all testing is performed according to state regulations, ISO/IEC 17025 standards, and internal SOPs. The Lab Director provides strategic leadership to ensure the lab operates efficiently, maintains accreditation, and produces accurate, timely, and defensible analytical results.

Key Responsibilities: Leadership & Strategy Provide vision, direction, and oversight to lab operations, staff, and scientific programs. Develop and implement lab strategies aligned with business goals. Foster a culture of scientific integrity, quality, safety, and compliance.

Regulatory Compliance Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing cannabis testing. Serve as the Responsible Official or Scientific Director (as defined by state law, if applicable). Maintain all required licenses, accreditations, and documentation.

Scientific & Technical Oversight Oversee method development, validation, and data review for tests such as potency, microbial, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and terpenes. Ensure testing methods meet regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., AOAC, USP, EPA methods). Provide technical support and problem-solving for complex analytical challenges

Quality Assurance Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and other applicable quality management standards. Lead audits, proficiency testing, and continuous improvement efforts. Oversee corrective/preventive actions and root cause analyses.

Operations Management Manage lab workflow, scheduling, equipment maintenance, and purchasing. Track and report on key metrics (e.g., turnaround time, error rates, capacity). Oversee LIMS utilization and data integrity practices

People Management Hire, train, and mentor laboratory staff. Conduct performance evaluations and foster professional development. Ensure staff compliance with safety, SOPs, and ethical standards.

Key Competencies: Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. High attention to detail and scientific rigor. Problem-solving and decision-making under regulatory scrutiny.

Ability to manage change and lead cross-functional initiatives. Qualifications: Education & Experience M.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related scientific discipline 5+ years experience in analytical laboratory management, preferably in a regulated industry

Experience with cannabis testing or related fields (pharmaceutical, environmental, food testing, toxicology) highly preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, qPCR, and other relevant instrumentation. Certifications & Requirements Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and accreditation processes.

Experience with LIMS and laboratory data systems. Must meet state regulatory requirements for scientific/lab directors, where applicable. Able to pass background checks as required by local/state cannabis regulations.