Lab Supervisor

Lithium Nevada, LLC; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Laboratory Supervisor at Thacker Pass, NV, will lead the site analytical laboratory, supervise personnel, and ensure compliant, timely analytical results supporting production decisions. You will coordinate priorities with Operations, Quality, and Environmental teams, maintain QA/QC practices, and uphold safety standards.

This role reports to the Quality Manager and may travel to other sites. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in an industrial laboratory, strong leadership, and experience with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, metallurgy, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant laboratory experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of relevant laboratory experience in mining, mineral processing, chemical manufacturing, specialty chemicals, or a related industrial environment preferred.
• Previous experience supervising, leading, or training laboratory personnel required.
• Working knowledge of analytical laboratory operations, sample preparation, QA/QC practices, data review, and laboratory documentation.
• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation and analytical techniques used in mining, mineral processing, chemical manufacturing, or high-purity product environments.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic data systems, and Microsoft Office applications preferred.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a production environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across Operations, Quality, Process/Metallurgy, Environmental, and technical teams.
• Self-starter with a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, quality, teamwork, continuous improvement, and Lithium Americas’ Purpose, Vision, and Values.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and direction of analytical laboratory personnel, including work assignments, scheduling, coaching, training, and performance support.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the analytical laboratory and sample preparation activities in accordance with established procedures and site requirements.
• Coordinate laboratory priorities and sample flow to support timely and accurate analytical results for Operations, Process/Metallurgy, Quality, Environmental, and other internal customers.
• Implement and maintain established quality control procedures, including standards, blanks, duplicates, control samples, and other QA/QC practices; identify and escalation out-of-control conditions or data quality concerns.
• Review analytical data for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with approved methods and procedures and support appropriate data entry, verification, and approval within the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Ensure laboratory instruments and equipment are properly operated, calibrated, maintained, and available to support operational needs; coordinate troubleshooting, repairs, and vendor support as needed.
• Maintain laboratory procedures, work instructions, records, logs, and documentation in accordance with the Quality Management System and applicable regulatory and audit requirements.
• Train and qualify laboratory personnel on analytical methods, sample preparation, equipment operation, quality control requirements, and safe work practices; maintain appropriate training documentation.
• Support investigations of laboratory deviations, nonconforming results, quality concerns, and equipment issues; participate in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor laboratory performance, turnaround time, workload, consumables, and other operational metrics and communicate issues, trends, and resource needs to the Quality Manager.
• Partner with the Quality Manager and Technical Center team to support method transfer, method improvement, laboratory startup and commissioning activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Be a visible leader for safety and environmental stewardship, reinforcing safe laboratory practices, proper chemical handling, housekeeping, and a daily commitment to zero harm to employees, contractors, and the environment.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across all teams while championing a culture that reflects and supports our Purpose, Vision, and Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lab supervision

Analytical chemistry

Quality systems

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lithium Americas is a North American resource and materials company focused on developing, building, and operating lithium deposits and chemical processing facilities. The company’s flagship asset, Thacker Pass, is located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada and is the world’s largest known measured lithium source and reserve. We are focused on safely and responsibly developing Thacker Pass to production to help strengthen national security and enable cleaner energy sources. We are committed to minimizing environmental impact, creating family-supporting jobs, and maximizing sustainable value for our stakeholders.

Laboratory Supervisor Company Overview

Lithium Americas is a North American resource and materials company focused on developing, building and operating lithium deposits and chemical processing facilities. The company’s flagship asset, Thacker Pass, is located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada and is the world’s largest known measured lithium source and reserve. We are focused on safely and responsibly developing Thacker Pass to production to help strengthen national security and enable cleaner energy sources. We are committed to minimizing environmental impact, creating family-supporting jobs and maximizing sustainable value for our stakeholders.

Lithium Americas is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and operates in the U.S., with offices in Reno, NV and Winnemucca, NV. The Company’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol LAC.

Our Purpose, Vision and Values

Our purpose, vision and values are the guiding principles that will serve as the cornerstone of our company’s future direction and operations, aligning our team and organization towards our common goals. Our Purpose is to safely and sustainably produce lithium from Thacker Pass to enable North America to reduce dependence on foreign critical minerals and drive value for our stakeholders. Our Vision is to be North America’s leading lithium producer to enable cleaner energy sources. Our Values include Act with Integrity, Be Responsible and Act with Care, Commit to Excellence and Drive Innovation, and Be a Collaborative Partner.

Role

We are seeking a Laboratory Supervisor to join our team at Thacker Pass. In this role, you will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the site analytical laboratory, supporting safe, efficient, accurate, and timely laboratory operations. You will supervise laboratory personnel, coordinate daily work priorities and sample flow, and ensure laboratory activities are performed in accordance with established procedures, quality requirements, and site safety and environmental standards. The successful candidate will have hands-on experience in an analytical laboratory within mining, mineral processing, chemical manufacturing, or a related industrial environment. This role will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Environmental, and other site teams to ensure reliable analytical results that support process control, product quality, and operational decision-making. The Laboratory Supervisor will be responsible for executing laboratory programs and procedures established under the site Quality Management System, while identifying opportunities to improve laboratory safety, quality, productivity, and data integrity. The role is based at Thacker Pass and reports to the Quality Manager. Occasional travel to other LAC offices, project sites, or vendor locations may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and direction of analytical laboratory personnel, including work assignments, scheduling, coaching, training, and performance support.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the analytical laboratory and sample preparation activities in accordance with established procedures and site requirements.
• Coordinate laboratory priorities and sample flow to support timely and accurate analytical results for Operations, Process/Metallurgy, Quality, Environmental, and other internal customers.
• Implement and maintain established quality control procedures, including standards, blanks, duplicates, control samples, and other QA/QC practices; identify and escalation out-of-control conditions or data quality concerns.
• Review analytical data for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with approved methods and procedures and support appropriate data entry, verification, and approval within the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Ensure laboratory instruments and equipment are properly operated, calibrated, maintained, and available to support operational needs; coordinate troubleshooting, repairs, and vendor support as needed.
• Maintain laboratory procedures, work instructions, records, logs, and documentation in accordance with the Quality Management System and applicable regulatory and audit requirements.
• Train and qualify laboratory personnel on analytical methods, sample preparation, equipment operation, quality control requirements, and safe work practices; maintain appropriate training documentation.
• Support investigations of laboratory deviations, nonconforming results, quality concerns, and equipment issues; participate in root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor laboratory performance, turnaround time, workload, consumables, and other operational metrics and communicate issues, trends, and resource needs to the Quality Manager.
• Partner with the Quality Manager and Technical Center team to support method transfer, method improvement, laboratory startup and commissioning activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Be a visible leader for safety and environmental stewardship, reinforcing safe laboratory practices, proper chemical handling, housekeeping, and a daily commitment to zero harm to employees, contractors, and the environment.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across all teams while championing a culture that reflects and supports our Purpose, Vision, and Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, metallurgy, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant laboratory experience may be considered.
• Five or more years of relevant laboratory experience in mining, mineral processing, chemical manufacturing, specialty chemicals, or a related industrial environment preferred.
• Previous experience supervising, leading, or training laboratory personnel required.
• Working knowledge of analytical laboratory operations, sample preparation, QA/QC practices, data review, and laboratory documentation.
• Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation and analytical techniques used in mining, mineral processing, chemical manufacturing, or high-purity product environments.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic data systems, and Microsoft Office applications preferred.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a production environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across Operations, Quality, Process/Metallurgy, Environmental, and technical teams.
• Self-starter with a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, quality, teamwork, continuous improvement, and Lithium Americas’ Purpose, Vision, and Values.
• Bring a positive attitude and have fun in the workplace. We strive to create and maintain an enjoyable and comfortable work environment.
• Personal commitment to Lithium Americas’ Purpose, Vision, and Values.

Working at Lithium Americas

At Lithium Americas, we believe our people are our most valuable asset. We offer a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for long-term growth and skills development. We are committed to building a diverse and respectful workplace and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lithium Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Lithium Americas is a North American resource and materials company focused on developing, building, and operating lithium deposits and chemical processing facilities. The company’s flagship asset, Thacker Pass, is located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada and is the world’s largest known measured lithium source and reserve. We are focused on safely and responsibly developing Thacker Pass to production to help strengthen national security and enable cleaner energy sources. We are committed to minimizing environmental impact, creating family-supporting jobs, and maximizing sustainable value for our stakeholders.