Application Laboratory Manager

IFF Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k)

Paid parental leave

Job summary

IFF Inc. in New York City is seeking a Senior Laboratory Operations Leader to oversee the IC&D Operations Laboratory, on-site five days a week. You will steer daily lab operations, ensure delivery of high-quality samples, and lead a high-performing team.

The role emphasizes safety compliance, KPI tracking, cross-functional collaboration with perfumers, Sales, QC, and R&D, and driving continuous improvement to elevate service levels and productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant laboratory experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience managing operations within a laboratory environment with a strong focus on quality and service delivery.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety requirements, regulatory compliance practices, and risk management principles.
• Proven ability to lead people, develop talent, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the Innovation Creation & Design (IC&D) Operations Laboratory, ensuring high-quality sample and evaluation preparation delivered on time and in full.
• Drive laboratory performance through effective resource planning, workload balancing, capacity management, and KPI monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards, environmental requirements, waste management procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Lead, coach, and develop laboratory team members through clear objectives, performance management, onboarding, and training programs.
• Establish and maintain standardized operating procedures to improve consistency, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with internal stakeholders including Perfumers, Sales, Consumer Insights, Quality Control, and Science, Technology & Innovation teams.
• Manage laboratory improvement projects and support change initiatives that enhance service levels, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee laboratory equipment maintenance, organization, and operational readiness.
• Collaborate with global laboratory peers to align best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Operations management

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline

Job description

Job Summary Are you passionate about leading laboratory operations and developing high-performing teams that bring innovative fragrance creations to life? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Scent: Harnessing the full emotional power of scent, driven by pioneering creativity, science, consumer expertise and a mindful approach to fragrance design. This role will lead our lab in our NYC location and will require to be on-site 5 days a week. Come be part of a collaborative, customer-focused, and solution-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

• Lead daily operations of the Innovation Creation & Design (IC&D) Operations Laboratory, ensuring high-quality sample and evaluation preparation delivered on time and in full.
• Drive laboratory performance through effective resource planning, workload balancing, capacity management, and key performance indicator monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards, environmental requirements, waste management procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Lead, coach, and develop laboratory team members through clear objectives, performance management, onboarding, and training programs.
• Establish and maintain standardized operating procedures to improve consistency, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with internal stakeholders including Perfumers, Sales, Consumer Insights, Quality Control, and Science, Technology & Innovation teams.
• Manage laboratory improvement projects and support change initiatives that enhance service levels, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee laboratory equipment maintenance, organization, and operational readiness.
• Collaborate with global laboratory peers to align best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant laboratory experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience managing operations within a laboratory environment with a strong focus on quality and service delivery.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety requirements, regulatory compliance practices, and risk management principles.
• Proven ability to lead people, develop talent, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience using data, metrics, and performance indicators to drive decision-making.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Prior management of a fragrance laboratory and experience leading and implementing laboratory optimization, lean, or continuous improvement programs.
• Creative problem-solving skills with a proactive and adaptable approach to challenges.

Competitive Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), vacation, holidays, 16 weeks paid parental leave, annual bonus plan, and recognition by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Perks & Benefits.

Diversity & Inclusion

• Has been previously recognized on the Disability Equality Index - Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.

Innovation

• Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and fragrance innovation within the Scent business.

Global Collaboration

• Work across diverse, cross-functional teams in a global organization.

Sustainability

• Contribute to solutions supporting a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world, with IFF recognized on the Forbes Net Zero Leaders 2026 list.

Professional Perks

• Career development, commuter benefits, and tuition reimbursement opportunities.

Salary Ranges: 86,394.00 - 123,420.00 USD

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy.

At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more.

We consider all qualified candidates equally and based on merit, without regard to religion, ethnicity, national origin, race, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or disability.