Environmental Laboratory Director

SPL; Conroe (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Employer-paid life, AD&D, and disable­

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition reimbursement and professional

Job summary

SPL's full-service, accredited environmental laboratory in Conroe, TX is seeking a Laboratory Director to lead personnel, operations, and quality systems while delivering accurate, compliant testing. You will shape strategy, manage budgets, drive profitability, and partner with business development to expand services across water, soil, and waste characterization.

The role requires 7–10 years of progressive leadership in NELAP‑accredited labs, strong regulatory knowledge, and a proven ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science (or related field).
• 7–10 years of leadership in multi‑level analytical lab ops in a NELAP‑accredited lab.
• Working knowledge of TNI standards and Texas regs.
• Advanced knowledge of lab instrumentation and testing methodologies for water, wastewater, soil, solids, and toxicology.
• Strong business and financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, pricing, capital planning.
• Proven ability to develop strategy, improve performance, and lead organizational change.
• Proficiency in MS Office and LIMS.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the lab’s strategic plan and annual priorities.
• Lead lab managers and functional leaders, build accountability and leadership development.
• Drive financial performance: budgeting, forecasting, pricing, profitability, capital planning.
• Direct long‑term workforce, capacity, tech, and service expansion strategies.
• Monitor safety, quality, compliance, turnaround time, and client service results.
• Oversee quality systems, accreditation, regulatory compliance, and risk.
• Shape market strategy and growth initiatives with leadership.
• Act as executive contact for key clients, regulators, and partners.
• Lead major organizational change and standardization initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Forecasting

People management

LIMS proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science

Master degree preferred

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

At SPL, the work you do matters. Our teams provide trusted environmental testing and measurement solutions that protect communities, support critical infrastructure, and safeguard the environment. With a nationwide footprint and opportunities to grow across multiple locations and disciplines, SPL is a place where you can build a meaningful career and make a real-world impact.

We’re looking for an experienced and strategic Laboratory Director to lead SPL’s full-service, accredited environmental laboratory in Conroe, TX.

In this role, you’ll lead laboratory personnel, operations, quality systems, client service, and financial performance while ensuring safe, accurate, compliant, and efficient delivery of environmental laboratory services. The Conroe laboratory provides drinking water, wastewater, groundwater, soil, solid, sediment, waste-characterization, and environmental toxicology testing, including Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing and effluent biomonitoring. The ideal leader brings demonstrated progressive leadership experience and a strong record of developing teams, improving performance, and delivering reliable, defensible data.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute the laboratory’s strategic plan, annual operating priorities, and performance objectives
• Lead laboratory managers and functional leaders while strengthening accountability, succession planning, and leadership development
• Drive financial performance through effective budgeting, forecasting, pricing, profitability management, capital planning, and investment decisions
• Direct long-term workforce, capacity, technology, facility, and service-expansion strategies
• Establish and monitor performance expectations across safety, quality, compliance, turnaround time, client service, productivity, and financial results
• Maintain executive oversight of quality systems, accreditation, regulatory compliance, and operational risk
• Shape market strategy, major proposals, pricing decisions, and growth initiatives in partnership with business development and senior leadership
• Serve as an executive point of contact for key clients, regulatory stakeholders, vendors, and strategic partners
• Lead major organizational change, integration, standardization, and operational transformation initiatives
• Perform other duties as assigned

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related scientific discipline; Master Degree in a related field preferred
• 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience managing multi-level analytical laboratory operations, personnel, resources, and performance objectives within a NELAP-accredited environmental laboratory
• Working knowledge of TNI standards and Texas environmental regulatory requirements
• Advanced knowledge of environmental laboratory instrumentation and analytical testing methodologies supporting water, wastewater, groundwater, soil, solids, sediment, waste characterization, environmental toxicology, WET testing, or related specialty services
• Strong business and financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, pricing strategy, capital planning, equipment investments, productivity, and profitability management
• Proven success developing organizational strategy, improving laboratory performance, optimizing processes, building high-performing teams, and leading organizational change
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation package
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support

Work Schedule & Travel

• Full-time, hybrid leadership position with regular onsite presence required
• Flexibility to work outside normal business hours as needed to support a laboratory operating 365 days a year, meet deadlines, or respond to time-sensitive operational needs
• Occasional travel may be required to support laboratory operations, training, audits, meetings, or other business-related activities

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At SPL, we believe that a diverse team is a strong team. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive. We make all employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities or for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please let us know.

Visa Sponsorship

At this time, SPL is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. We sincerely appreciate your interest and understanding, and we encourage you to explore other opportunities with us that may be a fit in the future.