Operations Manager

ALS•Middletown, PA

About The Position

ALS is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and support environmental laboratory operations. The role oversees technical activities, regulatory compliance, staff, facility and equipment performance, and delivery of high-quality analytical services. It requires strong leadership and technical expertise in a high-throughput production environment. The Operations Manager oversees daily laboratory operations, supports technical work and method development, manages production performance and quality systems, and coordinates facility maintenance. The role also leads a team of 50+ laboratory personnel, provides technical support to clients and internal business teams, and drives workflow, systems, and process improvements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related science.
Minimum 5 years of laboratory management experience.
Strong knowledge of ISO 17025 and environmental regulations.
Experience with LIMS systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word.
Understanding of organic and inorganic analytical methods.
Proven success managing large teams of 50+ staff.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent communication and client relationship skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage high-throughput operations and meet performance targets.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
Hands-on use of laboratory and computer equipment.

Nice To Haves

Environmental laboratory experience.
Experience managing P&L.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily laboratory operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and timely project completion.
Provide technical guidance on instrument troubleshooting, method development, and data interpretation.
Ensure proper use, calibration, and performance of laboratory instrumentation.
Support development and implementation of new analytical methods.
Lead a high-volume production laboratory to meet or exceed turnaround-time and on-time-delivery goals.
Monitor workflow, sample volume, and resource allocation across departments to maintain throughput.
Establish, track, and report KPIs, including turnaround time, backlog, capacity, and productivity.
Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements to increase efficiency, reduce cycle time, and improve service reliability.
Partner with department supervisors to prioritize workload and align work with client expectations and contractual deadlines.
Promote accountability and continuous improvement focused on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Ensure compliance with ISO 17025, NELAC, DoD, and other applicable regulatory standards.
Partner with QA to maintain and improve laboratory quality systems.
Monitor regulatory updates and communicate requirements to staff.
Support audits and inspections.
Oversee laboratory facility operations and ensure a safe, compliant, and efficient working environment.
Coordinate preventative maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and building systems.
Work with vendors and internal teams to maintain service contracts and resolve issues in a timely manner.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational requirements related to facility infrastructure.
Identify and implement improvements to laboratory layout, utilities, and workflow efficiency.
Manage, mentor, and develop a team of 50+ laboratory personnel.
Oversee hiring, training, performance evaluations, and staffing levels.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance work environment.
Serve as a technical resource for client inquiries and data interpretation.
Support project management and sales teams with technical expertise.
Assist with proposals, QAPPs, SOWs, and client presentations.
Optimize laboratory workflows, systems, and data management processes.
Collaborate with IT to support LIMS and automated reporting.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives.