Laboratory Manager

Job Summary:

Coordinate and oversee daily activities of an assigned production laboratory facility and provide leadership to a cannabis testing laboratory operations team performing chemical, microscopic and/or microbiological testing procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Assume all P&L responsibility for local laboratory operations including personnel costs, inventory, and overhead.

· Ensure laboratory testing is completed accurately and timely according to all standard operating procedures and in compliance with federal, state and/or local regulations

· Ensure test results and other data are accurately and timely entered into the Laboratory Information Management System and state specific Seed to Sale system

· Review and approve all out of specification and atypical results prior to release

· Work with sales team to onboard new clients including review of proposals and scheduling initial pickup(s)

· Ensure test results are timely and accurately transmitted/delivered to customers; discuss results with customers and address customer questions, comments and concerns

· Perform initial troubleshooting of testing issues and inform technical experts of existing issues in a timely fashion

· Ensure laboratory is clean, organized and efficiently operating and laboratory equipment is properly calibrated and maintained

· Review and update standard operating procedures as needed; ensure standard operating procedures are appropriately and timely implemented at the assigned laboratory

· Ensure all Quality Control / Quality Assurance protocols are followed and verified; define and approve deviations from standard procedure with QA

· Inform leadership and sales teams on emerging compliance and customer issues

· Work with head of operations to define and maintain laboratory capacity

· Establish and maintain productive working relationships with people inside the laboratory and people outside the laboratory including customers, regulatory staff and corporate staff

· Maintain understanding and ownership of all established company metrics and ensure they remain within the defined criteria.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

· Manage employees that may include Laboratory Supervisors, Laboratory Leads, Administrative Assistants, and other laboratory staff not reporting into a supervisor/lead.

· Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws; responsibilities include: interviewing, hiring and training, onboarding, staffing/workplace planning, assigning and directing work, scheduling, evaluating performance, recognizing and rewarding, disciplining, addressing complaints, resolving problems, PTO and timecard approvals.

Additional Responsibilities:

· Visit customer sites to investigate/advise customers on issues including contamination

· Conduct or oversee inventory and order/arrange for pick up or delivery of laboratory reagents, / supplies and materials as needed

· Perform/participate in research and development initiatives/projects

· Perform other duties as may be assigned

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry, biology or other related science major required

· Laboratory experience required

· >5 years supervisory experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

· Knowledge of federal, state and local laws regarding testing, cultivation, processing and transport of cannabis products preferred

· Knowledge of laboratory applications of biology, microbiology and chemistry

· Exemplary customer service skills

· Ability to use a variety of laboratory equipment and instruments including incubators, scales/balances, pipettes, chromatographs, PCR equipment and mass spectrometers

· Ability to use computers and computer software programs and systems and standard office equipment such as phones, photocopiers and fax machines

· Good written and verbal communication skills to convey and receive information effectively (face-to-face, telephone and electronic)

· Good analytical and judgment skills

· Detail-oriented

· Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding test results, personnel and/or financial data

· Excellent organizational skills to work independently, prioritize, handle multiple tasks, manage time

· Leadership skills including comfort with decision-making responsibilities, coaching, teaching and counseling, ability to inspire and build confidence in others and forge alliances and garner support

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

Valid driver/operator license

Safety Sensitive Position:

Equipment or vehicles used and activities performed by this position that could cause serious injury or death to the operator, other employees and/or other individuals if not used properly or safely:

· Driving/operating cars/vans

· Working with testing equipment with hot surfaces

· Handling chemicals including acids and solvents used in the testing process

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, walking/moving around and standing, talking and hearing and using hands to handle, control or feel objects, tools or controls

· Occasional periods of stooping/kneeling, bending

· Lifting up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally

· Close vision and ability to focus on computer screens and documents; distance vision; peripheral vison; depth perception; color vision

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee works in a laboratory environment.

While performing work-related duties the employee occasionally works with hazardous, toxic or caustic chemicals such as acids and solvents, works around fumes or airborne particles from laboratory chemicals used/fume hoods works with or near moving mechanical parts from laboratory equipment and works with equipment that vibrates. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Stressful Conditions in the Work Environment Affecting This Position:

· Challenging work demands including heavy workload/work quantity or quality demands, time demands, conflicting/multiple deadlines or tasks, infrequent rest breaks, long or unpredictable work hours and shiftwork

· Challenging situations including dealing with difficult customers/vendors/employees and interpreting data

Work Schedule:

· 40-hour minimum workweek; Monday – Friday with flexible hours

· May require on-call duty and the ability to work outside of scheduled work hours including weekends and holidays when the need arises

· Some travel during the day and overnight - to other laboratories, attend seminars, training and/or conferences

This job description is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the successful performance of this position. It is not to be interpreted as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements of this position, nor is it intended to limit the authority of any manager to assign and direct the activities of employees under his or her direction.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Cannabis testing: 2 years (Preferred)
• Supervisory : 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $100,000