What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Manager position at First Priority Manufacturing?
About Us
First Priority Manufacturing is a family-owned dietary supplement contract manufacturer in Ferndale, WA. We operate under FDA 21 CFR Part 111 and Part 11, and we are certified to NSF/ANSI 455-2. Our guiding principle is “Never trade your morals for your goals,” and consumer safety comes before everything else. Our in-house lab is the analytical backbone of our Quality organization. Every raw material and finished product passes through it before release.
The Role
We’re looking for a hands-on Laboratory Manager to lead our testing lab. You’ll own final COA disposition for raw materials, finished products, and recertifications. You’ll also supervise lab technicians, manage the lab budget, and keep the lab continuously inspection-ready for FDA, NSF, and customer audits. You’ll report to our Director of Quality Operations and work closely with QA, QC, Purchasing, and Production.
This is a role with real authority. Your release decisions matter, and you’ll have the room to build and improve methods, SOPs, and lab systems.
What You’ll Do
- Lead, train, and coach laboratory technicians, and own the lab’s SOP training program.
- Provide independent secondary review of COAs and make final release determinations for identity, purity, strength, and composition per 21 CFR Part 111.
- Investigate and document OOS results and partner with QA on CAPAs.
- Maintain data integrity across instrument data, LIMS, and electronic COAs per 21 CFR Part 11.
- Oversee HPLC and ICP-MS testing, and help develop and validate new analytical methods.
- Manage instrument calibration and preventative maintenance schedules.
- Manage and maintain the laboratory budget, including reagents, standards, consumables, equipment, maintenance, calibration, and third-party testing, in line with direction set by management.
- Run the stability testing program and expiration dating determinations.
- Manage vendor qualification and requalification, including COA verification, hazard analysis, and documentation review.
- Prioritize rush testing so the lab keeps pace with production and purchasing.
- Conduct semi-annual lab audits and support FDA, NSF, and customer inspections.
What We’re Looking For
- Background in quality assurance or quality control in a regulated environment such as dietary supplements, food, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics.
- A player-coach leader who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves, with lead or supervisory experience preferred.
- Highly organized, with a proven ability to track many moving pieces and deadlines at once.
- Genuine willingness to learn new instruments, methods, and procedures, and to train others on them.
- Comfortable with budgets and cost tracking, with an eye for savings.
- Strong attention to detail and comfort with documentation.
- Clear communicator who works well across departments.
- Laboratory experience and a science degree are a plus but not required.
Bonus Points
- Experience leading or supporting FDA, NSF, or third-party audits.
- Stability study design or expiration dating experience.
- Familiarity with NSF/ANSI 455-2.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
- Ability to work with chemical and microbial materials using appropriate PPE.
Pay: $34.19 - $37.83 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 – 48.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $34 - $38