Aggregate Lab Manager (AMRG)

Ecology Auto Parts, Inc.•Desert Center, CA

6d•$40 - $55•Onsite

About The Position

Aggregate Mineral Resource Group, LLC (AMRG) is seeking an experienced, technically skilled, and detail-oriented Aggregate & Materials Laboratory Manager to lead laboratory operations supporting aggregate production, rock and construction-material testing, product quality, process control, and operational quality assurance. The manager oversees laboratory personnel, sampling, sample preparation, aggregate and rock testing, QA/QC, equipment calibration and maintenance, technical reporting, laboratory scheduling, and coordination with plant and operations personnel. The role ensures that laboratory results are accurate, repeatable, timely, and aligned with applicable specifications and recognized testing standards. The position is full-time, non-exempt, and onsite in Desert Center, California. The schedule is assigned based on operational requirements. The manager supports laboratory and operational activities across laboratory, plant, mine, processing, aggregate, stockpile, and other industrial environments. Regular attendance and availability during established laboratory and operational hours are essential; occasional work outside normal hours may be required for testing priorities, production needs, equipment issues, or time-sensitive work. The anticipated hourly pay range is $40.00 to $55.00, depending on experience and qualifications. The company provides medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, paid time off, holiday pay, and life insurance, subject to applicable plan terms.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Geology, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Construction Materials, or a related technical field; equivalent directly relevant laboratory experience may be considered.
Five or more years of progressive aggregate, geotechnical, construction-materials, mining, quarry, materials-testing, or related laboratory experience.
Demonstrated experience supervising or managing laboratory technicians, testing workflow, schedules, equipment, QA/QC, or technical operations.
Strong knowledge of aggregate sampling, sieve analysis, gradation, moisture and density testing, physical-property testing, laboratory quality control, and technical documentation.
Working knowledge of ASTM and AASHTO testing procedures applicable to aggregate and materials testing.
Ability to review and interpret test results, specifications, quality-control data, and technical reports and communicate findings to operations and management.
Experience with laboratory equipment calibration, preventative maintenance, documentation, and troubleshooting.
Strong leadership, organization, communication, scheduling, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and movement throughout laboratory and industrial work areas.
Ability to safely handle laboratory samples and materials weighing up to 60 pounds with appropriate assistance or equipment when required.
Ability to work in environments where exposure may include dust, vibration, heat, noise, chemicals, reagents, and industrial processing conditions.
Use required PPE, which may include gloves, safety glasses or goggles, face protection, respirators where applicable, hard hats, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots.
Regular attendance and availability during established laboratory and operational hours; occasional work outside normal hours may be required.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing or supervising an aggregate, quarry, geotechnical, construction-materials, mining, or industrial testing laboratory.
Experience with aggregate gradation, moisture-density, specific gravity and absorption, abrasion, durability, soundness, or related physical-property testing.
Experience with laboratory accreditation, internal audits, equipment calibration programs, and quality-management systems.
Experience developing laboratory SOPs, technician training programs, testing procedures, and QA/QC programs.
Experience supporting aggregate production, crushing, screening, stockpile management, or plant quality-control operations.
Relevant ACI, AASHTO, ASTM, state DOT, aggregate, materials-testing, or laboratory certifications.
MSHA Part 48 certification or willingness to obtain it upon hire.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day aggregate and materials laboratory operations, including personnel, workflow, testing schedules, sample priorities, equipment availability, and reporting deadlines.
Supervise laboratory technicians and provide training, work assignments, technical guidance, performance feedback, and competency verification.
Coordinate laboratory workload and staffing with aggregate production, quarry, plant, project, customer, and operational requirements.
Oversee representative sampling of aggregate, rock, stockpiles, feed material, processed material, and finished products.
Establish and maintain procedures for sample identification, labeling, tracking, storage, splitting, drying, crushing, sieving, and other applicable preparation activities.
Perform or oversee sieve analysis and aggregate gradation testing, and evaluate results against applicable product, project, customer, and plant specifications.
Perform or oversee moisture content, moisture-density, specific gravity, absorption, unit weight, particle characteristics, and other applicable physical-property testing.
Coordinate abrasion, durability, soundness, and other specialized aggregate testing internally or through qualified outside laboratories when required.
Support aggregate quality control by identifying material variation, out-of-specification results, stockpile inconsistencies, production trends, and potential corrective actions.
Work with plant, quarry, processing, and operations personnel to evaluate crusher settings, screening performance, stockpile practices, product consistency, and other factors affecting aggregate quality.
Ensure laboratory and field testing follows established procedures, applicable specifications, and relevant ASTM, AASHTO, agency, or customer requirements.
Establish and maintain laboratory QA/QC procedures, control checks, repeat-testing criteria, documentation standards, and internal audit practices.
Review laboratory data, test results, material certifications, and technical reports for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance before release.
Investigate abnormal, inconsistent, or out-of-specification results and coordinate resampling, retesting, process review, or corrective action as appropriate.
Oversee operation, calibration, verification, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair coordination for laboratory equipment.
Maintain calibration records, equipment logs, sample records, testing documentation, QA/QC records, certifications, and laboratory reports in an organized and traceable manner.
Generate daily, weekly, monthly, and project-specific laboratory reports for operations and management, and promptly communicate material-quality trends or concerns.
Coordinate third-party laboratories, inspectors, customers, agencies, consultants, and testing providers when outside verification or specialized testing is required.
Develop and maintain laboratory SOPs, training materials, testing procedures, quality-control programs, and continuity plans.
Support laboratory inspections, audits, certifications, or accreditation activities when applicable.
Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and compliant laboratory environment and enforce applicable MSHA, OSHA, environmental, equipment-safety, sample-handling, and company requirements.