Manager - Operations

Pace Analytical Services•Mount Juliet, TN

27d•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you ready to work making the world a safer, healthier place? Join our mission to continuously move science forward; to innovate and advance all aspects of our business to improve the health and safety of our communities and lives. Excited to grow your career? We value our talented team, and whenever possible, strive to help one of our employees grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open positions. If you think the open position you see is right for you, we encourage you to apply! Our people make all the difference in our success. Make an Impact. Build a Career. At Pace®, everything we do is built upon an unwavering commitment to making the world a safer, healthier place. Since 1978, we’ve continued developing innovative practices that drive sustainability and empower our partners with accurate quality data at every critical moment and milestone. That's why we need you -- your curiosity, your talents, and your drive -- to help us advance this important work, and your career. We’re seeking curious, motivated individuals who are passionate about protecting our environment and the communities we serve. If you’re looking to develop your skills, contribute to meaningful scientific work, and build a long-term career in environmental science, Pace® could be the perfect place for you. Find Your Place at Pace® Responsible for managing the development and implementation of laboratory services, programs, policies, and procedures from a functional and technical perspective, including validating and auditing results, scheduling services, and resolving service and customer concerns for the entire department. This position provides advanced professional assistance to management staff and serves as a leader within the Organics Laboratory. Areas are typically varied and intermediate to complex in nature. The Organics Operations Manager provides oversight of environmental organic chemistry testing operations, including laboratory production workflows, analytical instrumentation, quality performance, and regulatory compliance associated with EPA methodologies and accredited laboratory practices. The role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and defensible analytical data while supporting operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a closely related field; AND five (5) years of experience, typically has experience as a lead or supervisor; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Comprehensive principles, practices and techniques of lab, services or field areas, such as biology or chemistry.
Understanding of the development and implementation of area programs, policies and procedures.
Principles and practices of developing teams, motivating employees and managing in a team environment.
Basic principles and practices of budget development and administration.
Applicable lab, services, or field laws, codes and regulations.
Computer applications and systems related to the work.
Understanding of dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, occasionally where relations may be confrontational or strained.
Principles and techniques of providing effective oral presentations.
Principles and practices of program planning, development and evaluation.
Principles and techniques of making effective oral presentations.
Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Performing comprehensive professional-level lab, services or field duties in a variety of assigned areas.
Overseeing and administering comprehensive and varied area functions.
Supervising and evaluating employees and providing related recommendations.
Training others in policies and procedures related to the work.
Applying more standard business and project management methodologies with a focus on implementing plans to achieve goals.
Developing effective work teams and motivating individuals to meet goals and objectives and provide customer services in the most cost effective and efficient manner.
Interpreting, applying and explaining applicable laws, codes and regulations.
Providing consulting services to supervisors and staff.
Preparing functionals reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Using initiative and independent judgment within established organizational and department guidelines.
Using tact, discretion and prudence in working with those contacted in the course of the work.
Performing effective oral presentations to large and small groups across functional peers and the department.
Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individuals contacted in the course of the work.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of supervisory experience is strongly preferred.
Experience managing environmental organics testing operations and high-volume laboratory production workflows is preferred.
Leadership experience within an environmental testing laboratory.
Experience overseeing organics testing operations, including VOCs, SVOCs, pesticides, herbicides, or related environmental analyses.
Experience managing high-volume production laboratories and laboratory performance metrics.
Experience working with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
Experience leading continuous improvement or operational excellence initiatives.

Responsibilities

Manages staff including hiring, training, development and engagement of self and team members, evaluating performance, providing compensation recommendations, and performance management.
Manages implementation and oversight of schedules, services, results and related functional programs to achieve desired operational results; aligns leadership and resources required and ensures effective administration.
Provides input and advice regarding developing and aligning strategies and programs to manage laboratory operations, policies and procedures for the function, group or area.
Provides operational and technical oversight of environmental, extractable organic chemistry testing activities, ensuring accurate, timely and defensible analytical results.
Supports laboratory operations involving organic analytical methods and instrumentation, including GC/FID, GC/ECD, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, LC/MS/MS and related technologies.
Monitors laboratory production metrics, turnaround times, quality objectives and resource utilization to ensure customer expectations and business goals are achieved.
Collaborates with Quality Assurance and technical leadership to maintain compliance with EPA methodologies and other applicable accreditation requirements.
Manages and participates in operational, instrumentation and equipment reviews; assists with ensuring compliance with federal, state, local and institutional standards, regulations and policies.
Provides observations and recommendations to leadership for improvement of organizational policies, procedures and practices related to laboratory operations.
Manages expectations of leaders, managers, staff and operations; facilitates communication on customer needs and business requirements and establishes performance metrics.
Resolves escalated, technical or sensitive customer and operational issues; works with internal groups and external agencies as needed and oversees successful resolution.
Manages departmental budgets including allocating resources and approving expenditures.
Oversees or participates in special projects by identifying company, department, customer or service priorities; communicates, coordinates and evaluates results.
Maintains knowledge of laboratory regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments, applicable laws and related legislation.
Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental services by offering recommendations and participating as an active member of the leadership team.
Promotes and supports the overall mission of Pace® by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with customers and staff and fostering a positive workplace culture.