Lab Manager

Eagle Analytical; Phenix City (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Eagle Analytical seeks a Lab Manager to oversee daily operations and drive strategic lab initiatives, ensuring timely turnaround and top-tier data quality. You will lead KPI development, QA, audits, and continuous improvement while mentoring staff and coordinating with clients and regulatory bodies.

This role requires a strong background in pharmaceutical analytics and a proven track record in regulated labs; travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Chemistry or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Seven years of progressive leadership in pharma or regulated labs.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP, cGLP, ISO 17025 and regulatory expectations.
• Experience with deviation management, OOS investigations and CAPAs.
• Proficient with laboratory information systems (LIMS).

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for day-to-day and long-term lab operations.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for turnaround time, throughput, data quality and efficiency.
• Ensure labs are scalable, compliant, and meet pharma testing demands.
• Lead continuous improvement to optimize workflows and resources.
• Serve as SME in pharmaceutical analytical chemistry, including method development and validation.
• Ensure data quality meets regulatory standards and audits.
• Oversee QA activities and CAPA implementation.
• Mentor lab leadership and staff; align staffing with regulatory requirements.
• Partner with IT to optimize LIMS and analytical systems.
• Support client-facing discussions and regulatory audits.
• Travel up to 10% to customer or partner locations as required.

Skills

Project Management

Critical Thinking

Communication

Detail Oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related

Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

LIMS

Job description

The Lab Manager is responsible for the day to day operations of the laboratory. This position is a subject matter expert and works with Departmental Supervisors to manage lab operations throughput to ensure turnaround times are met while maintaining data quality that meets or exceeds industry standards. The Laboratory Manager is responsible for promoting a safe working culture and environment throughout the laboratory. This position reports to the President.

What You Will Do

• Provide executive leadership for day-to-day and long-term laboratory operations aligned with Eagle Analytical’s business objectives and budget targets.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for turnaround time, sample throughput, data quality, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure laboratory operations are scalable, efficient, and aligned with current and future pharmaceutical testing demands.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize workflows, resource utilization, and operational performance.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in pharmaceutical analytical chemistry, including method development, validation, and routine testing.
• Ensure analytical data quality meets or exceeds regulatory and industry standards.
• Oversee root cause analysis, deviation management, and out-of-specification (OOS) investigations.
• Provide technical guidance to supervisors and staff in resolving complex analytical and client-related challenges.
• Collaborate with client services to address technical inquiries, method suitability, and service issues.
• Ensure full compliance with cGMP, cGLP, ISO 17025, and applicable regulatory and quality standards.
• Oversee laboratory quality systems, ensuring timely achievement of QA objectives and audit readiness.
• Support and lead internal, client, and regulatory audits, including corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Champion a strong culture of data integrity, documentation excellence, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop laboratory leadership and technical teams.
• Ensure staffing levels, competencies, and training programs align with operational and regulatory requirements.
• Drive performance management, accountability, and professional development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, and high performance.
• Manage laboratory budgets in partnership with executive leadership and functional support teams.
• Oversee procurement and lifecycle management of laboratory instrumentation, systems, and services.
• Ensure consumables inventory levels align with forecasted workloads and business needs.
• Partner with IT and functional teams to optimize LIMS, analytical systems, and laboratory technology.
• Maintain executive oversight of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs.
• Promote safe laboratory practices, effective use of equipment, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Lead or participate in investigations and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Represent Eagle Analytical as a senior scientific and operational leader in client meetings and site visits.
• Support business development efforts through technical consultation and client relationship management.
• Travel up to 10% to customer or partner locations as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support Eagle Analytical’s strategic objectives.

Who You Are

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline is required; an advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical or regulated laboratory environments.
• Director- or senior manager-level experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in pharmaceutical analytical chemistry and testing.
• Extensive knowledge of cGMP, cGLP, ISO 17025, and pharmaceutical regulatory expectations.
• Proven experience with deviation management, OOS investigations, CAPAs, and audit support.
• Strong working knowledge of LIMS and laboratory information systems.
• Strong strategic thinking, operational planning, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and process optimization skills.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level reporting and presentations.
• High degree of professionalism, accountability, and independence.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Who We Are

Serving customers since 2004, Eagle offers the highest quality in preparation testing for sterility, bacterial endotoxins, microbial detection, beyond-use dating (BUD) determination and active ingredient potency. State-of-the-art equipment, combined with the experience and knowledge of our team, makes Eagle the best choice for all testing needs. The Eagle team is committed not only to performing the best quality control testing, but also working relentlessly with our customers on solutions if tests receive unexpected results. Learn more at www.eagleanalytical.com.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Project Management Skills

Advanced

Critical Thinking

Expert

Communication

Expert

Detail Oriented

Expert

Behaviors

Preferred

Enthusiastic

: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Leader

: Inspires teammates to follow them

Dedicated

: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

Preferred

Self-Starter

: Inspired to perform without outside help

Ability to Make an Impact

: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Entrepreneurial Spirit

: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

Growth Opportunities

: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Education

Preferred

Doctorate or better in Science or related field.

Masters or better in Chemistry or related field.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.