Lab Supervisor

Aurubis AG; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement savings

Health coverage

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Aurubis Richmond seeks a Laboratory Supervisor to lead day-to-day lab operations and personnel, ensuring safe and accurate results with a focus on quality and efficiency.

The role manages resources, provides technical guidance, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives improvements across safety, quality, and performance targets. Strong leadership and metallurgy experience are valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of laboratory leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of lab procedures, sampling, testing, and calibration.
• Experience with safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with Lean, SPC, or continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Willingness to travel domestically/internationally if needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily laboratory operations and supervise personnel.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and reliable testing, sample prep, documentation, and reporting.
• Maintain compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee equipment, supplies, systems, work areas, and resources.
• Develop and maintain lab procedures, standards, and training.
• Monitor KPIs and lead times; take corrective action if targets are missed.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical guidance on methods, equipment, and processes.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, and Logistics.
• Support projects, budgeting, and initiatives.
• Foster a safety-focused culture and accountability.
• Back up Lab Manager as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Laboratory testing

Quality systems

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Problem solving

Safety awareness

Project management

Lean SPC

SAP familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Aurubis – metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi-metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity. These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e-mobility, and urbanization. Aurubis has about 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system. Join our team and promote progress together with us!

The Laboratory Supervisor leads day-to-day laboratory operations and personnel at Aurubis Richmond, ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate results with a strong focus on quality and operational excellence. This role manages laboratory resources, provides technical guidance and team development, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings laboratory experience, preferably in non-ferrous metallurgy, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to safety, quality, and environmental standards.

Lab Supervisor

Your Tasks

Lead daily laboratory operations and supervise, coach, and develop laboratory personnel.

Ensure accurate, timely, and reliable laboratory testing, sample preparation, documentation, and reporting.

Maintain compliance with safety, environmental, quality, regulatory, and company requirements.

Oversee laboratory equipment, supplies, systems, work areas, and resources to maintain operational readiness.

Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, work instructions, quality standards, and training requirements.

Monitor KPIs, quality results, and laboratory lead times, taking corrective action when performance targets are not met.

Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that enhance safety, quality, efficiency, cost, and reliability.

Provide technical guidance on laboratory methods, equipment, systems, troubleshooting, and process improvements.

Partner cross-functionally with Production, Sample Preparation, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, Logistics, Purchasing, and other stakeholders.

Support laboratory projects, equipment commissioning, process optimization, budgeting, and departmental initiatives.

Foster a positive, safety-focused culture built on accountability, collaboration, employee development, and operational excellence.

Serve as backup to the Sample Preparation & Laboratory Manager as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Your Profile

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline, such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

5+ years of laboratory experience, including supervisory or leadership experience; non-ferrous metallurgy experience strongly preferred.

Strong knowledge of laboratory procedures, sampling, testing, equipment operation, and calibration.

Experience with laboratory safety, environmental requirements, and regulatory compliance.

Knowledge of workplace hazards and applicable quality, safety, and environmental standards.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic business/ERP systems.

Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, develop, and manage teams.

Strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Ability to manage priorities, adapt to changing conditions, and perform effectively in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to safety, quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Experience in a metals, manufacturing, or international laboratory environment (preferred).

Knowledge of Lean, continuous improvement, TPS, or Statistical Process Control (SPC) principles. Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems.

Willing and physically able to walk/work in, observe and spend time in a smelter environment.

Must be willing and physically able to work in intense heat situations.

Able to sit, stand and walk for varying periods of time in the plant.

Must be able to perform the following: walking, standing, climbing, pulling, and or pushing, carrying, grasping, using hand-to-finger movement, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping.

May occasionally be required to reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Good physical condition with the ability to lift to 50 lbs. occasionally.

Good hand/eye coordination, motor skills, 20/20 corrected vision and hearing within the normal range. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to all safety needs on the floor or in the office areas.

Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas.

Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally, if requested.

We Offer

Competitive Retirement Savings– 401(k) plan with generous company match to help you plan for the future

Comprehensive Health Coverage– Medical, dental, and vision plans with company cost sharing to support you and your family, starting you first day of employment.

Income Protection– Company-paid disability insurance for added peace of mind

Generous Paid Time Off– Robust PTO package including vacation and 13 paid holidays.

Interested?

What does Aurubis stand for? Take a look here!

Aurubis is an employer that stands for diversity and equal opportunity. Employment decisions are made regardless of national or ethnic origin, religion and belief, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical impairment and social origin or any other legally protected characteristics of an individual.