Laboratory Director

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins works with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic and labelling is accurate.

Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in agroscience Contract Research Organisation services. Eurofins is one of the market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and in the support of clinical studies, as well as having an emerging global presence in Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.

In over just 30 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to 55,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of 900 laboratories in over 50 countries. Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products.

In 2020, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR € 5.4 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.

We are seeking a proven proactive, assertive, forward-thinking leader to direct laboratory operations at our startup Salt Lake City lab. This individual is competitive, strong minded, and likes the ability to work in environments that allow for independence and change. This process-oriented person prefers to set up and manage processes but is capable of supervising people.

Laboratory Director responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Under general supervision of the business unit manager, the laboratory director will:

• Manage daily laboratory operations and ensure analysts complete laboratory sample testing that fully meets customer requirements, turnaround time, reliability and quality targets
• Develop operational processes that maximize throughput and productivity (experience with LEAN operations is a plus)
• Minimize the number of production retests
• Develop and train the staff
• Assist with acquiring new clients and retaining current clients
• Contribute to presentations, webinars, newsletters, white papers, case studies, and other collateral materials to highlight our capabilities and offerings
• Coordinate between the business unit manager and the laboratory team of scientists, including the R&D department
• Plan and execute the daily schedule of all tests
• Coordinate with principal scientists to ensure we are current on all preventive maintenance  requirements
• Ensure we have excellent communication and solid processes between the laboratory departments
• Optimize instruments based on method requirements
• Clarify and set roles and responsibilities for each department and scientist in the lab
• Own laboratory staffing decisions and allocates staff to meet demand
• Contribute to quarterly and annual goal setting and CAPEX needs
• Advise on cost-reduction strategies and consult on purchasing decisions

Daily initiatives:

• Manage laboratory staff including training, scheduling, workflow, and resolving personnel issues
• Staff the laboratory effectively and ensure we have adequate coverage for vacations, holidays, and sick time
• Report late samples to client services and take ownership for all unmet deliverables
• Resolve customer complaints, issues, and inquiries timely, professionally, and efficiently
• Address client's technical needs through verbal and written communication and by occasionally attending meetings, conferences, and conference calls
• Assist in the preparation of client quotations and review quotes generated by others to ensure feasibility of scope, cost, timing, and deliverables.
• Take full responsibility for ensuring we deliver analytical reports to clients on time, meeting all expectations and contractual agreements

Quality:

• Ensure we fully meet quality standards for reporting analytical results
• Ensure all laboratory staff members adhere to Quality Assurance policies
• Assist Quality Assurance department with implementing principals and requirements of ISO17025 within the laboratory
• Coordinate, review, write, and update department documents, training records, methods, and equipment validations
• Assign preventive maintenance, monthly, quarterly, and annual tests, calibration of thermometers, micropipettes, and other equipment
• Research and implement corrective actions plans in response to Corrective Action Requests and Root Cause Analysis investigations per Standard Operating Procedures
• Partner with Quality Manager to correct and implement action plans as a result of internal and external audits
• Ensure the laboratory provides a clean and safe working environment to staff and visitors (Apply 5S Lean Principle)

Technical:

• Serve as our in-house technical expert. You advise the laboratory and business unit manager on all chemistry department questions
• You are current with technology and market trends, coordinate with our R&D director on method development, and validate and implement new services
• Research, write-up and present proposals to department leaders and business unit manager regarding new methodologies and equipment
• Attend industry trade shows and seminars to act as a technical representative and Chief Science Officer
• Assist Eurofins sister labs and strategic partnerships with close coordination and development as necessary
• Assist business unit manager with writing and editing marketing and sales materials
• Work with laboratory managers to develop training and cross-training programs
• Coordinate with the business unit manager to develop and closely monitor the laboratory budget, business plans, and cost analysis for new methods
• Ensure laboratory staff participates in development activities to stay current with technical needs including attending relevant training programs
• Attend technical meetings to both represent the laboratory and advance learning to apply new testing methods to the labs
• Develop and maintain high quality contacts with relevant authorities, professional organizations, and industry stakeholders
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and annual reviews for all direct reports
• Assist with customer service inquiries, keeping the service team informed and current on all laboratory operations and sample statuses

Basic Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess a Master's degree in Chemistry with a minimum of eight years in practice or Bachelor degree with 10+ years with relevant analytical methods plus quality systems and a high level of performance.
• Must possess extensive knowledge of food chemistry (Dietary Supplement knowledge and experience preferred). 
• Prior experience with Microbiology is preferred.
• Must understand and apply analytical chemistry principles and available technology in the analysis of samples
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship

The ideal candidate would possess:

• Proven experience scheduling highly variegated analytical chemistry tests
• Tested people manager with demonstrated ability to connect with a broad range of personalities
• Must have high ethical and quality standards
• Exemplary Customer Service skills
• Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Tested leader with proven experience building and leading a team of scientists

Position is full-time, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with overtime as needed. Candidates currently living within a commutable distance of Idaho Falls, UT are encouraged to apply.

As a Eurofins employee, you will become part of a company that has received national recognition as a great place to work. We offer excellent full-time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid holidays and vacation, personal days, and dental and vision options.

To learn more about Eurofins, please explore our website www.eurofinsus.com.

Eurofins is a M/F, Disabled, and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.

Eurofins is a M/F, Disabled, and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.