Laboratory Supervisor

METER Group•Pullman, WA

1d•$70,500 - $101,700

About The Position

The Laboratory Supervisor leads the day-to-day operations of METER's Environment Research Lab in a hands-on, player-coach capacity. The role personally performs complex tests while leading laboratory staff and interns responsible for routine work, coordinating internal research, sales and marketing, and customer testing requests, and keeping work on track through clear tracking systems. Testing is performed according to methods and specifications set by scientific, engineering, and production staff. The lab is still building its operating processes. The supervisor will create documentation, procedures, and tracking workflows that are not yet fully in place, while continuing to run tests and lead the team. The role emphasizes judgment about standard work: identifying missing processes, documentation, or discipline and establishing them in collaboration with colleagues. The supervisor also oversees teenage interns and ensures they follow strong laboratory processes. The supervisor works with requesters to clarify experimental needs, ensures work is completed correctly and on time, and makes sure results are documented and communicated. This may involve performing work personally, coordinating with production staff, or assigning tasks to interns. The position reports to Manufacturing and Production leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a physical or environmental science, engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent hands-on laboratory experience.
2–4 years of hands-on laboratory experience running tests, handling samples, and operating laboratory instrumentation.
Demonstrated ability to run complex tests independently and troubleshoot equipment or method issues.
Experience leading a small group day to day as a lead, supervisor, or in a similar role; a formal manager title is not required.
Ability to work effectively within and oversee a task-tracking or sample-management system; training is provided.
Strong written communication skills for procedures, instructions, and customer-facing reports.
Ability to identify workflow gaps and develop practical, repeatable processes in collaboration with users.
Accountability, follow-through, and ability to set clear expectations and uphold agreed standards.
Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and testing methods relevant to environmental, soil, or materials measurement.
Sound judgment in balancing testing, training, and reporting responsibilities while maintaining quality and commitments.
Ability to maintain accurate documentation, sample traceability, and reliable records, and resolve discrepancies appropriately.
Clear and professional communication and collaboration with internal requesters and external customers.

Responsibilities

Manage the daily queue of customer, internal research, and sales and marketing requests, keeping due dates, status, and issues visible.
Prioritize and schedule work for the supervisor, laboratory interns, and production team members conducting customer testing.
Personally perform complex, non-routine, or first-time laboratory tests and troubleshoot instrument and method problems.
Lead production team members conducting routine testing by assigning daily tasks, checking work for completeness, and raising performance or capacity issues with management.
Review data and reports produced by production team members and interns for completeness before business use or customer delivery, and confirm required scientific sign-off has occurred.
Ensure written work instructions are accurate and complete; learn them from a Product Scientist and train and qualify production team members, with Product Scientists assisting.
Keep laboratory tracking systems accurate and current.
Coordinate incoming customer samples for commercial laboratory testing, including receipt, labeling, testing, chain of custody, scheduling, and turnaround communication.
Maintain laboratory equipment, including routine calibration and troubleshooting, and flag equipment or capacity needs to management.
Prepare routine status reports and escalate significant results, trends, or exceptions to management.
Keep the laboratory organized and operating efficiently, making improvements over time.
Supervise and mentor laboratory staff and high school and college interns.
Develop, maintain, and refine documented processes and coordinate effectively with stakeholder departments and external customers.