Technical Laboratory Director

About the role

The Technical Laboratory Director is responsible for ensuring laboratory services and tests comply with the ISO 17025 standard and Arizona Department of Health Regulations, directing and supervising testing activities, overseeing laboratory personnel, maintaining a compliant quality system, and ensuring scientifically valid, defensible, accurate, and timely testing and reporting for marijuana and marijuana products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintaining regulatory and quality compliance with AZDHS and ISO 17025 standards
• Oversight of the quality system to ensure accurate, scientifically valid, and defensible results
• Responsibility for all technical methods including chemical and microbial contaminants analyses, and maintaining valid proficiency tests for all methods
• Operational control of all testing and non-testing related activities including personnel management, maintaining up to date calibration records, documentation and traceability for all tests performed, overseeing marijuana inventory control, and final report delivery
• Maintaining client relationships

Core competencies

• Strong knowledge of regulated laboratory operations, ISO/quality systems, and method validation principles
• Excellent documentation discipline and data integrity mindset
• Ability to lead and train technical staff; strong corrective/preventive action skills
• Familiarity with chain-of-custody, inventory control, and regulated reporting requirements
• Strong communication skills for regulatory interactions and audit readiness

Minimum qualifications and regulatory eligibility

• Education and experience (must meet one):
• Doctoral degree in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or similar laboratory science; OR
• Master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or similar laboratory science plus at least two years of experience working in a laboratory and providing laboratory testing; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or similar laboratory science plus at least four years of experience working in a laboratory and providing laboratory testing.

Key eligibility/attestation requirements include:

• Not convicted of an excluded felony offense (or deemed not convicted through a valid Level I fingerprint clearance card)
• Agreement not to test for certain entities where a familial/financial relationship or interest exists
• Signed pledge not to divert marijuana to unauthorized persons/entities
• Submission of required identification, photo, and fingerprints (or proof of Level I clearance), and applicable fees