Lab Manager

Gilder Search Group; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

PTO

Job summary

Lighthouse Lab Services, based in St. Louis, MO, seeks an experienced General Manager to oversee day‑to‑day operations across manufacturing, operations, finance, marketing, supply chain, quality, and business development.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership in regulated manufacturing environments, with ISO standards and federal government manufacturing knowledge. This hands‑on role focuses on driving efficiency, growth, and overall business performance within a small organization.

Qualifications

• PhD in life sciences or related field with 7+ years of manufacturing leadership.
• Experience in ISO 13485 and/or ISO 9001 environments.
• Knowledge of cGMP, FDA-regulated manufacturing, or similar regulated settings.
• Experience with federal government manufacturing or contracting preferred.
• Strong budgeting, financial management, and business operations skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations and provide organizational leadership.
• Manage manufacturing, production, supply chain, purchasing, and operations.
• Partner with owner on business strategy, financial performance, and growth initiatives.
• Monitor budgets, expenses, profitability, and key metrics.
• Provide oversight of marketing, sales, customer relationships, and business development.
• Ensure compliance with ISO, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Support federal government manufacturing and contracting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Lead, develop, and manage a team of 25–30 employees.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external contractors/vendors to meet objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Operations management

ISO compliance

cGMP experience

Gov't contracting

Strategic planning

Team development

Communication

Education

Ph.D in Life Sciences or related field

Job description

General Manager – Life Sciences Manufacturing

Location

St. Louis, MO

Job Type

Full-Time

Compensation

$150,000–$170,000 annually, based on experience

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), PTO

Position Overview

A growing life sciences manufacturing company is seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations and overall business performance. This individual will work closely with the owner and take responsibility for a broad range of functions, including manufacturing, operations, finance, marketing, supply chain, quality, and business development.

The ideal candidate will have strong manufacturing leadership experience within a regulated environment, along with experience working with ISO standards and federal government manufacturing requirements. This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity within a small organization where the General Manager will play a key role in driving efficiency, growth, and overall business performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day business operations and provide overall leadership to the organization
• Manage manufacturing, production, supply chain, purchasing, and operational activities
• Partner with the owner on business strategy, financial performance, and growth initiatives
• Monitor budgets, expenses, profitability, and other key business metrics
• Provide oversight of marketing, sales, customer relationships, and business development
• Ensure compliance with applicable ISO, quality, and regulatory requirements
• Support federal government manufacturing and contracting requirements
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, productivity, and profitability
• Lead, develop, and manage a team of approximately 25–30 employees
• Coordinate with internal teams and external contractors/vendors to ensure business objectives are met

Preferred Profile

• Ph.D in Life Sciences, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field preferred
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, laboratory products, or a related industry
• Strong hands‑on manufacturing and operations management experience
• Experience working within ISO 13485 and/or ISO 9001 environments
• Experience with cGMP, FDA-regulated manufacturing, or similar regulated environments preferred
• Experience with federal government manufacturing or contracting requirements preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of budgeting, financial management, and business operations
• Strong leadership, communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a hands‑on, entrepreneurial small‑business environment
• Local St. Louis candidates preferred

Salary and Benefits

• 150-170k
• Health, Vision, Dental
• PTO and 401k

About us:

At Lighthouse Lab Services, we offer solutions to help start, grow, and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has over 22 years of proven success placing job seekers in positions ranging from entry‑level Medical Technologists to seasoned Laboratory Directors. We recruit nationwide, for permanent and travel positions with clients ranging from small hospitals to large reference laboratories.

It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Lighthouse Lab Services is committed to working and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including persons with disabilities.

If at any time during the application process, you need accommodation, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

Lighthouse Lab Services | 844-974-1929 | lighthouselabservices.com

#LLS3