General Manager
About The Position
The General Manager leads the day-to-day operations and performance of a single-site microbiological and/or chemical laboratory. The role is accountable for quality, customer service, people, financial results, workflow, and operational activities, balancing scientific rigor with business acumen and taking ownership of site performance. The General Manager upholds the Company’s purpose, mission, and values by fostering quality, accountability, collaboration, safety, and customer partnership. The role includes leading efficient, high-quality testing; maintaining ISO/IEC 17025 compliance and audit readiness; engaging with customers; developing and managing employees and frontline leaders; and managing financial performance and resources. The General Manager also supports collaboration across laboratory locations and leads continuous improvement and other operational initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Food Technology, or a related scientific field.
- At least 5 years of experience leading frontline supervisors in laboratory, manufacturing, or regulated operational environments.
- Demonstrated success managing financial performance and operational KPIs.
- Proven ability to lead through frontline leadership teams and manage multi-level organizational structures.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret technical, regulatory, and business documentation.
- Experience developing reports, SOPs, operational documentation, and business communications.
- Ability to engage effectively with senior leadership, customers, peers, and cross-functional teams.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in dynamic operational environments.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree.
- Prior experience in third-party laboratory testing or manufacturing, particularly in food, beverage, cosmetics, tobacco, cannabis, or related regulated industries.
Responsibilities
- Lead laboratory operations to deliver high-quality testing and consistent turnaround times.
- Use operational scorecards and KPIs to monitor performance and reinforce accountability.
- Conduct daily operational huddles with supervisors and team leads to align priorities and resources.
- Maintain technical competency and ensure practices reflect current industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain ISO/IEC 17025 compliance in accordance with the Corporate Quality Management System.
- Ensure readiness for audits, inspections, and accreditation activities; prepare staff and lead through audits.
- Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and safe laboratory environment.
- Ensure equipment is maintained, calibrated, monitored, and considered for lifecycle replacement as needed.
- Reinforce laboratory safety standards, procedures, and PPE requirements.
- Represent the Company professionally in customer interactions and respond to customer needs, inquiries, concerns, and requests.
- Communicate laboratory capabilities, testing results, pricing, and operational updates clearly.
- Support customer retention and growth by meeting turnaround-time goals and service expectations.
- Anticipate staffing needs and align schedules with testing volume and operational demands.
- Improve labor productivity and workforce efficiency through planning and performance management.
- Recruit, interview, onboard, train, and develop employees.
- Promote employee engagement, retention, cross-training, and career development.
- Coach supervisors and hold frontline leaders accountable for team leadership, hiring, training, coaching, employee relations, and performance responsibilities.
- Ensure accurate and timely employee documentation for performance management, coaching, disciplinary actions, and development planning.
- Manage laboratory financial performance against budgets and profitability goals.
- Identify ways to improve efficiency and optimize labor, inventory, supplies, and vendor services.
- Manage third-party vendors and contractors to support cost control, service quality, and operational effectiveness.
- Promote best-practice sharing and collaboration across laboratory locations.
- Support cross-site resource sharing, overflow testing, and training initiatives.
- Maintain a visible leadership presence in the laboratory, reinforcing standards and providing real-time coaching and support.
- Lead or support non-routine projects, operational initiatives, and customer-specific assignments.
- Drive continuous improvement in efficiency, quality, service, and employee engagement.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
