Laboratory Director - Cannabis Testing

X4 Engineering; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

X4 Engineering in Fort Lauderdale seeks an experienced Laboratory Director to lead its cannabis testing operations. You will oversee daily lab activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive performance across testing programs for cannabis and hemp products.

The role combines scientific leadership with business operations, demanding hands-on management, quality assurance, instrument oversight, and collaboration with commercial teams to deliver accurate results and client satisfaction in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field; advanced degree advantageous.
• Experience in analytical testing laboratory; leadership experience.
• Cannabis/hemp testing experience desirable in regulated environment.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 and quality mgmt systems.
• Experience with analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS.
• Proven leadership and operational performance delivery.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Hands-on autonomous approach.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations and workflows.
• Provide scientific leadership across analytical testing methods and instrumentation.
• Maintain ISO/IEC 17025 compliance and quality standards.
• Oversee cannabis/hemp testing programs and analytes.
• Lead and mentor laboratory personnel.
• Optimize processes, resources, turnaround times, and productivity.
• Oversee SOPs, QC, proficiency testing, CAPAs, audits.
• Ensure equipment is maintained, calibrated, validated.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to support growth.
• Monitor costs, staffing, consumables, KPIs.
• Prepare for inspections and accreditation readiness.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Regulatory compliance

Quality management

Instrument troubleshooting

Team management

Analytical chemistry

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related sciences

Advanced degree advantageous

Tools

HPLC

GC-MS

LC-MS/MS

ICP-MS

Job description

An established analytical testing laboratory is seeking an experienced Laboratory Director to lead its Fort Lauderdale facility, specializing in cannabis and hemp testing. This is a key leadership opportunity for a technically strong, commercially minded laboratory professional to oversee daily operations, maintain regulatory compliance, develop laboratory capabilities, and drive operational performance.

The successful candidate will take ownership of laboratory quality, scientific integrity, team leadership, and operational efficiency, ensuring accurate, reliable, and timely testing services for clients across a regulated industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Laboratory Leadership: Oversee all day-to-day laboratory operations, ensuring efficient workflows, high-quality testing, reliable turnaround times, and consistent service delivery.
• Technical Oversight: Provide scientific leadership across analytical testing methodologies, instrumentation, method validation, troubleshooting, and result interpretation.
• Quality & Compliance: Maintain compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, laboratory accreditation requirements, and relevant quality standards, including ISO/IEC 17025.
• Cannabis Testing: Oversee testing programs for cannabis and hemp products, potentially including cannabinoid potency, terpenes, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, microbial contaminants, and mycotoxins.
• Team Management: Lead, develop, and mentor laboratory personnel, building a high-performing team with strong technical capabilities and a culture of accountability.
• Operational Excellence: Optimize laboratory processes, resource allocation, equipment utilization, turnaround times, and overall productivity.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee SOPs, quality control procedures, proficiency testing, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Equipment & Instrumentation: Ensure laboratory instrumentation is appropriately maintained, calibrated, validated, and fit for purpose.
• Commercial & Client Support: Work closely with commercial and customer-facing teams to resolve technical queries, maintain client relationships, and support business growth.
• Financial Performance: Monitor laboratory costs, staffing, consumables, and operational KPIs to improve efficiency and support the site's financial objectives.
• Regulatory & Audit Readiness: Prepare for external inspections and accreditation assessments, ensuring documentation, records, and laboratory practices meet applicable requirements.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or a related scientific discipline; an advanced degree is advantageous.
• Significant experience working within an analytical testing laboratory, ideally in a leadership or senior management capacity.
• Previous experience in cannabis or hemp testing is highly desirable, particularly within a regulated laboratory environment.
• Strong understanding of ISO/IEC 17025, quality management systems, method validation, and laboratory accreditation.
• Experience with analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, or comparable techniques.
• Demonstrable experience leading laboratory teams, managing operational performance, and developing technical personnel.
• A strong track record of maintaining regulatory compliance and driving continuous improvement.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to balance technical oversight and operational leadership.
• A proactive, hands-on approach and the ability to operate autonomously while taking ownership of laboratory performance.

What the Opportunity Offers

• The opportunity to lead an established analytical testing facility in the growing cannabis and hemp testing market.
• Significant ownership of laboratory operations, quality, and technical performance.
• The ability to develop a laboratory team, improve operational processes, and influence future growth.
• A leadership position combining scientific expertise, regulatory responsibility, and business operations.