Analytical Chemistry Manager

About the role

Certified Group is committed to partnering with customers to deliver innovative scientific solutions and expertise across the food & beverage, dietary supplements, cosmetics, OTC, tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, and hemp industries. Our network of 30+ North American and European laboratories includes specialized brands providing laboratory testing, regulatory consulting, and certification & audit services:

• Certified Laboratories – Comprehensive analytical and microbiological testing for food, beverage, cosmetics, OTC, and dietary supplements.
• Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) – ISO-accredited laboratories focused on food safety testing and technical services.
• Labstat – Global leader in contract research and testing for nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, hemp, and next-generation products.
• EAS Consulting Group – Regulatory consulting for FDA, USDA, and other regulated sectors.
• FSNS Certification & Audit – Accredited third-party auditing and certification services.

The Laboratory Manager leads day-to-day operations to ensure accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of analytical results for chemical testing of personal care and cosmetic products. This role oversees staff, instrumentation, and workflows while partnering with the Lab Director to meet quality, regulatory, and client expectations. The successful candidate is a proactive leader who drives operational excellence, fosters innovation, and maintains a strong focus on client satisfaction and team development.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations

• Direct day-to-day activities of laboratory staff, ensuring testing is performed accurately and efficiently in accordance with quality standards.
• Manage workflows, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet turnaround time and productivity targets.
• Oversee operation, maintenance, and utilization of laboratory instrumentation used in chemical testing.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and throughput.

Technical & Analytical Oversight

• Provide technical guidance and oversight for analytical testing.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex technical challenges, supporting root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Ensure analytical results meet internal quality standards and external audit requirements.
• Maintain awareness of new technologies, instrumentation, and methodologies relevant to personal care testing.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure laboratory operations comply with ISO, GMP, and internal quality system requirements.
• Oversee execution of QA/QC programs, documentation practices, and laboratory procedures.
• Support development and implementation of laboratory methods, SOPs, and policies.
• Participate in internal and external audits and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Client Support & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical resource for clients, providing scientific insight and guidance related to testing processes and results.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure testing programs meet client expectations for accuracy, reporting format, and turnaround time.
• Support strong client relationships through reliable results and responsive communication.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Analyze laboratory operations and implement improvements to enhance productivity, turnaround time, and data quality.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, facilities, and workspaces to ensure operational efficiency and safety.
• Prepare operational reports and provide recommendations for strategic and operational improvements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop laboratory staff to ensure strong technical capability and professional growth.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance evaluations.
• Foster a collaborative, safety-focused, and innovative laboratory culture.
• Address performance issues and partner with HR on employee development and disciplinary processes when needed.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of laboratory experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience in a high-throughput analytical laboratory environment, preferably supporting personal care, cosmetics, or consumer product testing.
• Familiarity with GMP, ISO quality systems, and laboratory operational processes.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of laboratory instrumentation and analytical testing workflows.
• Experience with LIMS systems and laboratory data management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development abilities.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking capabilities.
• Ability to build collaborative, trust-based relationships across teams.

Schedule

8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday–Friday

Pay

Salary range: $125,000 USD – $150,000 USD. Additional components of total rewards—such as bonuses, benefits, or incentives—may apply where applicable.