Laboratory Director (Cannabis Industry)

Vangst; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Negotiable salary based on experience

Job summary

A leading cannabis hiring platform is seeking an experienced Laboratory Director to oversee operations at their New York testing facility. The role involves managing a team for efficient testing processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and driving improvements in lab efficiency. Candidates should have extensive experience in lab management and cannabis safety testing, with strong leadership skills and a background in optimizing lab operations. The position offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities to shape the testing facility's growth and success.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience running a production lab, preferably with ISO 17025 certification.
• 3+ years of cannabis laboratory management experience.
• Strong experience in cannabis safety testing.
• Ability to manage a team in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Proven track record in lab-based method development, optimization, and compliance.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and introduce new processes and product rollouts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team ensuring efficient sample preparation and analysis.
• Build and improve systems for a profitable lab.
• Manage equipment operations to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee high-end lab equipment including Agilent, Waters, GC triple quad, LCMS, ICP‑MS, and HPLC.
• Address lab inefficiencies and improve facility infrastructure, including HVAC-related challenges.
• Work within budget constraints to optimize lab costs and drive efficiency.
• Establish and maintain regulatory compliance, conduct audits, and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Management of lab operations

Cannabis safety testing

Budgeting and cost management

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master's degree in Science or Chemistry

ISO 17025 knowledge

Tools

Agilent instrumentation

HPLC

GC Triple Quad

GC Headspace

LCMS

ICP‑MS

Job description

Our client seeks an experienced and dynamic Laboratory Director to lead operations at their testing facility in New York. This is an opportunity to be a hands‑on leader in cannabis.

About the Role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lab Director to lead and grow within an evolving cannabis testing facility, driving efficiencies and expanding lab capabilities across New York State.

Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Oversee a team of 7, ensuring efficient sample preparation, testing, and analysis. The lab performs tests for terpenes, residual solvents, heavy metals, and microbes.
• Lab Management: Build and improve systems to run a profitable lab, aiming for a 4-day turnaround time on testing and meeting KPIs of full-panel testing within 5-7 business days.
• Sample Preparation & Analysis: Manage the workflow for sample prep and testing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Equipment Oversight: Manage the operation of high‑end lab equipment, including Agilent, Waters, GC triple quad, LCMS, ICP‑MS, and HPLC.
• Operational Efficiency: Address lab inefficiencies, including challenges like HVAC in an older facility, and work to improve overall lab infrastructure.
• Budgeting & Cost Management: Work within budget constraints to optimize lab costs, increase efficiency, and manage lab operations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Establish and maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements, conducting audits, and taking corrective actions as necessary.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of experience running a production lab, preferably with ISO 17025 certification
• 3+ years of cannabis laboratory management experience
• Strong experience in cannabis safety testing (highly preferred)
• Ability to manage a team in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Proven track record in lab-based method development, optimization, and compliance
• Ability to manage multiple projects and introduce new processes and product rollouts

Equipment:

Primarily Agilent instrumentation Includes:

HPLC (Waters)

GC Triple Quad

GC Headspace

Qualifications:

A Master's in Science or Chemistry preferred

Flexible PTO

Negotiable DOE

Vangst is the cannabis industry’s hiring platform. Vangst helps cannabis companies find the talent they need to grow their business. From on‑demand gig workers to trained & credential full‑time employees, Vangst has built the industry’s go‑to talent marketplace for all cannabis hiring. Vangst is proud to work with 1,200+ of the cannabis industry’s leading businesses.

Since raising their seed round in 2018, Vangst has become one of the fastest‑growing companies in the cannabis industry and was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.

Today, over 300,000 people have full‑time jobs in the cannabis industry and this number is expected to triple over the next five years. Vangst is on a mission to fill every job in the cannabis industry.

Vangst’s headquarters is in Denver, CO. Vangst is a Series B company backed by Lerer Hippeau, Colle Capital, Level One Fund, Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde Capital, and others.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Vangst provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.