Lab Manager - Ethanol

One Degree Agriculture; Wahpeton (ND); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

One Degree Agriculture seeks a Lab Manager to oversee quality systems supporting ethanol production. The role leads lab activities, ensures product quality, and drives continuous improvement across operations.

The candidate will manage lab quality programs, calibrate instrumentation, supervise staff, and ensure regulatory reporting and environmental compliance, while optimizing testing practices and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in chemistry or related field.
• Experience designing and maintaining laboratory quality systems.
• Knowledge of fermentation/ethanol manufacturing processes is preferred.
• Regulatory reporting experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the lab quality program with tested practices aligned to standards.
• Oversee inventory, replenish materials, and negotiate purchasing for cost efficiency.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate lab instrumentation for testing.
• Collect production samples, evaluate results, and propose process improvements.
• Direct lab staff through hiring, training, coaching and evaluations.
• Update procedures and verify training on current processes.
• Monitor quality trends and records, lead efficiency projects to cut costs.
• Ensure lab safety, regulatory compliance, and accurate reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Quality systems

Analytical thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a comparable scientific or technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Lab instrumentation calibration

Job description

Our client is seeking a Lab Manager to oversee quality systems supporting their ethanol production operation. This position leads lab activities, ensures product quality, supports regulatory compliance, and drives continuous improvement across the operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the lab quality program by establishing and maintaining effective testing practices aligned with accepted laboratory standards and industry expectations
• Oversee laboratory inventory, replenish testing materials and process chemicals as needed, and negotiate purchasing terms when appropriate to improve cost efficiency
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate analytical laboratory instrumentation used for routine product and process testing
• Collect production samples, evaluate quality results, identify operational concerns, and recommend process improvements using laboratory data
• Direct laboratory personnel through hiring support, training, coaching, performance evaluations, and ongoing employee development
• Maintain laboratory procedures, ensure current operating instructions remain accurate, and verify employees are trained on updated processes
• Monitor production quality trends, maintain required testing records, and lead projects that improve operating efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs
• Manage laboratory safety, compliance, and regulatory reporting activities while ensuring applicable governmental requirements are consistently satisfied

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a comparable scientific or technical discipline
• Three to five years of laboratory quality experience within a dry-mill ethanol facility or a closely related processing environment
• Demonstrated success designing, implementing, and maintaining effective laboratory quality systems
• Thorough understanding of fermentation and distillation processes associated with ethanol manufacturing
• Background supporting environmental testing programs and required regulatory reporting activities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, standard office equipment, and possession of a valid driver's license
• Strong communication, analytical thinking, mathematical aptitude, negotiation, conflict resolution, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Proven leadership ability with a customer-focused approach, high ethical standards, and success building productive relationships across internal and external stakeholders