Laboratory Manager - NJ

US Cannalytics • East Hanover, NJ

13d • $90,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

US Cannalytics is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to oversee daily analytical laboratory operations at its East Hanover, New Jersey facility. The role is a hands-on technical leadership position covering analytical chemistry, laboratory operations, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and personnel management in a fast-paced, high-throughput cannabis testing environment.

The Laboratory Manager reports directly to the Laboratory Director and serves as the Laboratory Director's Designee, providing technical oversight and operational leadership across the analytical department. The position is responsible for production, technical personnel development, regulatory compliance, data integrity, instrumentation, laboratory systems, inventory, and safety. The manager may also perform sample preparation, analytical testing, and data analysis as needed.

This is a full-time, on-site day-shift position. Ten-hour shifts are typical, with on-call responsibilities and weekend coverage as operationally necessary. Work takes place in a regulated analytical laboratory and requires appropriate personal protective equipment. The role may involve exposure to laboratory chemicals, fumes, airborne particles, equipment noise, and other typical laboratory hazards, as well as prolonged standing, walking, and sitting and occasional lifting or moving of up to 40 pounds.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biology, Physical Science, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• At least 2 years of relevant laboratory management experience, including direct oversight of analytical laboratory personnel and operations.
• Experience in a regulated analytical laboratory environment; high-throughput, production-based testing experience is preferred in the required qualifications.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation requirements, laboratory quality assurance, and quality control practices.
• Technical proficiency with analytical instrumentation and testing methods, including HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, and ICP-MS, and competency in microbiological testing methods.
• Experience with analytical sample preparation, data analysis, instrument troubleshooting, and laboratory workflow management.
• Ability to coordinate multiple analytical testing workflows while maintaining quality standards and turnaround times.
• Experience training, supervising, and evaluating laboratory personnel.
• Strong understanding of SOPs, method requirements, laboratory documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, address operational challenges, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated relevant laboratory management experience, technical proficiency, and direct responsibility for laboratory operations, personnel, and quality standards.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in cannabis, pharmaceutical, environmental, food, or other regulated analytical testing laboratories.
• Previous experience working in an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory.
• Familiarity with New Jersey cannabis testing regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with Agilent and/or SCIEX analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with LIMS, eQMS, and cannabis seed-to-sale tracking systems, including METRC.
• Experience with analytical method development, validation, verification studies, and measurement uncertainty.
• Experience participating in or leading laboratory audits, regulatory inspections, and corrective action investigations.
• Experience with proficiency testing programs and technical competency assessments.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily analytical laboratory operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant testing.
• Manage analytical workflows across HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, and applicable microbiological testing methods.
• Monitor sample production, laboratory capacity, instrument availability, and turnaround times.
• Coordinate staffing, laboratory schedules, and workload distribution to maintain production efficiency.
• Anticipate operational needs related to sample volumes, staffing changes, inspections, and accreditation activities.
• Perform sample preparation, analytical testing, and data analysis as needed to support production.
• Identify workflow inefficiencies and implement improvements to throughput, consistency, and data quality.
• Ensure timely completion of client-specific reporting, regulatory data trending, and laboratory deliverables.
• Serve as the Laboratory Director's Designee for technical oversight, data review, quality control, and documented approval of analytical test results in the LIMS.
• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, applicable New Jersey cannabis testing regulations, SOPs, and laboratory quality management systems.
• Review analytical data, quality control results, and testing documentation for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
• Support and coordinate internal audits, regulatory inspections, accreditation assessments, and proficiency testing.
• Investigate nonconforming work, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop, review, and maintain laboratory policies, SOPs, test methods, training documentation, and quality records.
• Monitor laboratory logs, equipment verification records, environmental monitoring, and compliance documentation.
• Maintain laboratory readiness for regulatory inspections and accreditation assessments.
• Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting support for HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, and ICP-MS instrumentation.
• Oversee instrument maintenance, calibration, verification, and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Coordinate equipment support and repairs with manufacturers and service providers.
• Address equipment performance concerns to minimize downtime and maintain testing continuity.
• Assist with analytical method validation and equipment verification studies, including their execution and documentation.
• Evaluate analytical performance criteria, including limits of quantitation, control limits, and measurement uncertainty.
• Support implementation of new testing methodologies, instrumentation, and technical improvements.
• Provide technical expertise regarding equipment procurement, laboratory infrastructure, and operational improvements.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate analytical laboratory personnel.
• Establish performance expectations for productivity, technical competency, quality, safety, and accountability.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, technical training, and performance evaluations.
• Maintain employee training records and ensure personnel demonstrate competency in assigned testing methods.
• Address performance deficiencies through coaching, retraining, and performance improvement plans.
• Promote a collaborative, professional, and safety-focused laboratory environment.
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols, proper PPE use, and good laboratory practices.
• Oversee LIMS, electronic quality management systems (eQMS), and applicable seed-to-sale tracking systems.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, documentation, and retention practices.
• Manage inventory of reagents, solvents, certified reference materials, consumables, and analytical supplies.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, tracking, and destruction of cannabis samples and products.
• Oversee hazardous waste management, sample destruction records, and laboratory safety documentation.
• Maintain compliance with applicable health, safety, security, and facility requirements.

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Opportunity for professional growth within a multi-state laboratory organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager