Application Laboratory Manager

International Flavors and Fragrances; New York (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Vacation

Paid holidays

Parental leave (16 weeks)

Annual bonus

Tuition reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Job summary

International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in New York City is seeking a Laboratory Operations leader to head the Innovation Creation & Design (IC&D) Operations Laboratory on-site five days a week. You will direct daily operations, ensure timely sample preparation, and mentor a high-performing team in a collaborative, customer-focused environment.

The role requires a scientific degree, 5+ years in a lab with leadership, and a strong emphasis on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the IC&D Operations Laboratory, ensuring high-quality sample and evaluation preparation.
• Drive laboratory performance through resource planning, workload balancing, capacity management, and KPI monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, environmental requirements, waste management, and regulations.
• Lead, coach, and develop laboratory team members through objectives, performance management, onboarding, and training.
• Establish and maintain SOPs to improve consistency, quality, and efficiency.
• Partner with Perfumers, Sales, Consumer Insights, Quality Control, and ST&I teams.
• Manage laboratory improvement projects and support change initiatives to enhance service levels.
• Oversee laboratory equipment maintenance, organization, and readiness.
• Collaborate with global lab peers to align best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Laboratory operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

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.

Why Choose Us?

• 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.

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

Salary Ranges: 86,394.00-123,420.00USD