Associate Director - Mass Spec Production

KCAS Bio; Kansas City (KS); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock ownership program

KCAS University

Paid time off to volunteer

Job summary

KCAS Bio is seeking an Associate Director to provide operational and scientific leadership across MSB Production, ensuring high-quality work on time and in compliance with GLP/GxP regulations.

You will lead, coach, and develop scientific staff, drive throughput improvements, harmonize processes, and collaborate with Quality Assurance and other functions to support study execution and client commitments while upholding our values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related field; 7+ years in a bioanalytical lab; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong knowledge of quantitative LC-MS/MS bioanalysis, sample prep, instrumentation, data workflows, and regulated studies.
• Extensive experience in a GLP/GxP-regulated laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated leadership in scientific or lab groups; coaching and accountability.
• Experience improving lab operations, workflows, or productivity in scientific settings.
• Identified bottlenecks, performed root-cause analysis, and implemented sustainable improvements.
• Experience with capacity planning, resource utilization, and workflow prioritization in labs.
• Strong understanding of data integrity, quality systems, SOPs, audits, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and scientific leadership across MSB Production; ensure high-quality, on-time deliverables in compliance.
• Lead, develop, and coach scientific staff with clear expectations and accountability.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement sustainable process improvements to increase throughput and capacity.
• Harmonize processes across teams while preserving scientific quality and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with MSB leadership to manage capacity, resources, and workflow priorities.
• Monitor performance using metrics and root-cause analysis to identify risks and inform decisions.
• Provide escalation support for complex issues, working with QA and other functions.
• Collaborate with QA, Program Management, and other teams to support study execution and client commitments.
• Pursue opportunities to automate and improve laboratory operations via standardized tools and training.
• Align activities with company mission, values, and brand.

Skills

Leadership

LC-MS/MS

GLP/GxP

Regulatory compliance

Data integrity

Process improvement

Capacity planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry/biochemistry

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Performing critical work that impacts our industry and our world’s health while problem solving and innovating in the field – that is what an Associate Director at KCAS Bio get to do every day. If that gets you excited too, then maybe working as an Associate Director at KCAS Bio is the role for you.

In this role, we will rely on you to:

• - Provide operational and scientific leadership across MSB Production, ensuring teams consistently deliver high-quality work on time and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements
• - Lead, develop, and coach scientific staff while establishing clear expectations, strengthening team capabilities, and building accountability for performance, quality, and delivery
• - Evaluate and improve production workflows by identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and process variation and implementing sustainable improvements that increase throughput, consistency, and capacity
• - Drive process harmonization and standardization across teams, studies, and workflows while maintaining scientific quality, data integrity, and GLP compliance
• - Partner with MSB leadership to manage capacity, resource utilization, staffing, instrumentation, and workflow priorities based on current and anticipated business needs
• - Monitor operational performance and use metrics, trends, and root-cause analysis to identify risks, improve productivity, and support informed decision-making
• - Provide leadership and escalation support for complex scientific, operational, quality, client, and study-related issues, partnering with Quality Assurance and other functions as appropriate
• - Identify and implement opportunities to improve laboratory operations through automation, technology, standardized tools, training, and continuous improvement initiatives
• - Collaborate across scientific, Quality Assurance, Program Management, and other teams to support study execution, client commitments, organizational priorities, and continued growth
• - Perform all aspects of the job in a way that supports company brand and supports company mission, vision, and values

To qualify specifically for this role, you will have:

• - Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related scientific field with at least 7 years of experience in a bioanalytical laboratory environment; advanced degree preferred
• - Strong knowledge of quantitative LC-MS/MS bioanalysis, including bioanalytical sample preparation, instrumentation, data workflows, and regulated study execution
• - Extensive experience working in a GLP/GxP-regulated laboratory environment
• - Demonstrated leadership experience within a scientific or laboratory organization, including developing teams, managing performance, and establishing accountability
• - Demonstrated experience improving laboratory operations, workflows, processes, or productivity within a scientific environment
• - Experience identifying operational bottlenecks, conducting root-cause analysis, and implementing sustainable process improvements
• - Experience with capacity planning, resource utilization, workflow management, and prioritization within a laboratory environment
• - Strong understanding of data integrity, quality systems, SOPs, audit readiness, and regulatory requirements associated with regulated bioanalytical studies
• - Experience working with Quality Assurance and supporting client and/or regulatory audits and inspections
• - Strong problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• - Ability to lead changes, influence others, and balance operational efficiency with scientific quality and regulatory compliance

(Please note this is a representative summary of responsibilities, not a comprehensive or exclusive list of the duties to be performed in any position. Employees must follow instructions and perform additional duties as requested.)

WHO YOU ARE

You will thrive at KCAS Bio if you enjoy a relational environment, are purpose- and values-driven, embrace constant development and supportive leadership, and enjoy being part of innovative work.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

Our benefits include, and extend beyond, the traditional package. At KCAS Bio, you will enjoy company sponsored events like food trucks, family days and spirit days.You will grow in your career with KCAS University.You will be able to connect with like-minded employees to further KCAS Bio's approach to key areas such as wellness, inclusion, and community outreach.You will engage as an owner in our stock ownership program. You will have access to the latest technology. And you will be able to invest in the community with paid time off to volunteer.

Learn more about the Benefits at KCAS Bio

WHO WE ARE

We are a fast-growing contract research organization (CRO) headquartered in Kansas City, pioneering the latest drug development in both human and animal health fields.Demand for our expertise is growing and so is our need for great people to work in nimble, empowered teams committed to one another’s growth. At KCAS Bio, we advance both great science AND great people.

Learn more about what it is like to work at KCAS Bio

KCAS Bio is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Among other things, we provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected category; we recruit qualified candidates without regard to citizenship status based on internal processes that enable us to hire the right candidates consistent with the appropriate U.S. Immigration framework; and (3) we work with and provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Anyone who needs reasonable accommodation may send an email to [e-mail] call 913-248-3000 (for TTY assistance call 711) and ask for Human Resources.

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