Lab Manager - Ethanol

About the Role

Our client is seeking a Lab Manager to oversee quality systems supporting their ethanol production operation. This position leads lab activities, ensures product quality, supports regulatory compliance, and drives continuous improvement across the operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the lab quality program by establishing and maintaining effective testing practices aligned with accepted laboratory standards and industry expectations.
• Oversee laboratory inventory, replenish testing materials and process chemicals as needed, and negotiate purchasing terms when appropriate to improve cost efficiency.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate analytical laboratory instrumentation used for routine product and process testing.
• Collect production samples, evaluate quality results, identify operational concerns, and recommend process improvements using laboratory data.
• Direct laboratory personnel through hiring support, training, coaching, performance evaluations, and ongoing employee development.
• Maintain laboratory procedures, ensure current operating instructions remain accurate, and verify employees are trained on updated processes.
• Monitor production quality trends, maintain required testing records, and lead projects that improve operating efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs.
• Manage laboratory safety, compliance, and regulatory reporting activities while ensuring applicable governmental requirements are consistently satisfied.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a comparable scientific or technical discipline.
• Three to five years of laboratory quality experience within a dry-mill ethanol facility or a closely related processing environment.
• Demonstrated success designing, implementing, and maintaining effective laboratory quality systems.
• Thorough understanding of fermentation and distillation processes associated with ethanol manufacturing.
• Background supporting environmental testing programs and required regulatory reporting activities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, standard office equipment, and possession of a valid driver's license.
• Strong communication, analytical thinking, mathematical aptitude, negotiation, conflict resolution, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proven leadership ability with a customer-focused approach, high ethical standards, and success building productive relationships across internal and external stakeholders.