Laboratory Manager

About the Role

My client is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the laboratory operations supporting their new Martinsville, Virginia manufacturing facility. This is a unique opportunity to build a laboratory from the ground up, establish technical standards, develop a high-performing team, and play a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and continuous improvement of our manufacturing processes. If you're passionate about scientific leadership, operational excellence, and mentoring technical professionals, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact from day one.

Responsibilities

• Lead all laboratory operations supporting production, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage laboratory workflow, staffing, scheduling, budgets, equipment, vendors, and operational resources.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor laboratory personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Oversee laboratory quality systems, analytical methods, and standard operating procedures to ensure accurate, reliable, and timely results.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory quality standards, environmental regulations, chemical handling requirements, and workplace safety expectations.
• Serve as the laboratory's primary technical resource by providing analytical expertise and resolving complex technical challenges.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and other departments to improve processes and support production objectives.
• Evaluate and implement new laboratory technologies, instrumentation, and process improvements.
• Represent the laboratory during audits, inspections, customer interactions, and cross-functional initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Five or more years of progressive laboratory experience in an industrial, manufacturing, chemical processing, metals, mining, or related environment.
• Three or more years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry, QA/QC systems, laboratory instrumentation, and analytical method development.
• Experience developing laboratory policies, SOPs, and quality management systems.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams, manage laboratory operations, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through analytical testing and technical problem solving.
• Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Microsoft Office, and statistical analysis software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in non-ferrous smelting, metal refining, recycling, or metallurgical processing is strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications related to laboratory management, quality systems, or safety are preferred but not required.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (4 Weeks Year 1-10, 5 Weeks 10+ years)
• Paid Holidays (New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Plan w/ 5% annual employer contribution
• Wellness Programs and Employee Resources
• Professional Development and Career Growth Opportunities