Operations Manager, Chemistry

Mérieux NutriSciences • Crete, IL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Operations Manager, Chemistry in 3600 Eagle Nest Dr, North Building, Crete, IL 60417 USA. Your mission will be to: The Operations Manager – Chemistry provides strategic and operational leadership for food chemistry testing laboratories. This role ensures the accurate, efficient, and compliant execution of analytical testing services that may include (but are not limited to) nutritional analysis, contaminants, residues, allergens, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and other chemical assays relevant to food safety and quality. The Operations Manager is responsible for aligning chemistry laboratory operations with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and client expectations. This position drives technical excellence, operational efficiency, method standardization, and continuous improvement while ensuring scientific integrity and data accuracy across all chemistry disciplines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Food Science, Biochemistry, or related scientific field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in food chemistry laboratory operations, including at least 4 years in leadership or multi-department management.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing analytical platforms (e.g., HPLC, GC, GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, titration systems, etc.).
• Proven success managing laboratory budgets, KPIs, and cross-functional teams in a regulated environment.

Nice To Haves

• Strong technical expertise in food chemistry methodologies, validation, and method development.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 17025, FDA, USDA, AOAC, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Experience leading instrumentation implementation, automation, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Proficiency with LIMS, chromatography data systems (CDS), and analytical data review processes.
• Advanced knowledge of quality control, measurement uncertainty, and root cause investigation.
• Strong leadership, change management, and strategic planning capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies specific to food chemistry testing services.
• Align chemistry laboratory capabilities with evolving regulatory requirements and client demands.
• Partner with commercial and technical teams to expand service offerings and support business growth.
• Lead cross-site harmonization of chemistry methods, instrumentation platforms, and quality practices.
• Oversee daily operations of chemistry departments, ensuring efficient workflow from sample receipt through data reporting.
• Monitor turnaround times, backlog, instrument utilization, and staffing capacity.
• Ensure proper scheduling, maintenance, calibration, and performance verification of analytical instruments.
• Support financial performance through cost control, productivity optimization, and capital planning for instrumentation.
• Serve as the senior technical authority for chemistry testing, ensuring scientific validity and data integrity.
• Oversee method validation, verification, and implementation of new analytical technologies.
• Review and approve corrective actions related to out-of-specification (OOS), out-of-trend (OOT), and non-conforming results.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to maintain ISO 17025 accreditation and audit readiness.
• Maintain authority to suspend analytical testing if quality systems or data integrity are compromised.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and workflow optimization initiatives within chemistry operations.
• Identify automation opportunities in sample preparation, extraction, and data processing.
• Implement best practices for analytical efficiency, solvent reduction, and sustainability initiatives.
• Utilize KPI dashboards and analytical data trends to improve laboratory performance.
• Oversee workforce planning for chemists, analysts, and technical supervisors.
• Establish performance metrics aligned with quality, service, cost, and safety goals.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to department leaders.
• Ensure proper training and competency assessments for complex instrumentation and methodologies.
• Support client-facing technical discussions related to chemistry testing methodologies and results interpretation.
• Participate in client audits and regulatory inspections as the chemistry subject matter expert.
• Provide technical guidance during method transfers, validations, and large-scale client projects.
• Ensure effective use of LIMS and chromatography data systems for data traceability and compliance.
• Oversee instrument lifecycle management including procurement, qualification, and retirement planning.
• Support digital transformation initiatives to enhance data analytics and reporting transparency.
• Serve as backup to senior laboratory leadership as required.
• Perform additional duties aligned with operational and technical objectives.
• Operate in full compliance with the company’s Code of Conduct and ethical standards.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) package to support work-life balance following state and local ordinances.
• Optional 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.

What This Job Offers

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