Laboratory Manager

City-of-Raleigh-N; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Raleigh's Raleigh Water division seeks an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead laboratory operations and procurement support within the Water Treatment Division. You will supervise staff, establish priorities, manage budgets, and ensure regulatory compliance while driving ISO quality and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strategic thinking, collaboration, and a commitment to public service and data integrity in a public utility environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7–9 years of professional laboratory experience in sampling, testing and analysis.
• Experience with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and QA/QC programs.
• Public utility or government sector experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and evaluates assigned employees by overseeing hiring, work assignments, scheduling, training, and professional development.
• Directs and evaluates staff functions and services, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Oversees laboratory and procurement support functions; ensures regulatory compliance and timely reporting.
• Promotes ISO quality initiatives and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manages financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to support operational efficiency.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Budget management

Data analysis

Effective communication

ISO quality management

Laboratory operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Science or related field

Tools

LIMS

Gas chromatography

Mass spectrometry

Job description

Raleigh Water, a division of the City of Raleigh, is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to join its team. This role provides leadership, management, and oversight of laboratory and procurement support functions within the Water Treatment Division. This position supervises and develops employees, establishes work priorities, evaluates performance, and ensures the effective delivery of services in alignment with organizational goals and customer expectations. Responsibilities include operational planning, budget management, resource allocation, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Laboratory Manager ensures the accuracy and timely submission of required reports and documentation in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations and permit requirements. Additionally, this position oversees quality assurance and quality control programs, document control systems, standard operating procedures, and health and safety plans. Through active participation in ISO initiatives, the Laboratory Manager advances Raleigh Water’s strategic objectives by promoting operational excellence, accountability, regulatory compliance, and the responsible stewardship of public resources.

The ideal candidate is an experienced, results-driven leader with strong supervisory, organizational, and analytical skills and a demonstrated ability to manage laboratory and procurement support functions within a public utility environment. The candidate demonstrates effective leadership by developing employees, promoting accountability, fostering collaboration, and empowering staff to deliver exceptional customer service while supporting ISO quality management initiatives.

Above all, the ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and collaborative leader who aligns daily operations with Raleigh Water’s mission and strategic objectives while cultivating a culture of continuous improvement, regulatory excellence, employee development, and customer-focused service.

About You:

The ideal candidate is an experienced, results-driven leader with strong supervisory, organizational, and analytical skills and a demonstrated ability to manage laboratory and procurement support functions within a public utility environment. The candidate demonstrates effective leadership by developing employees, promoting accountability, fostering collaboration, and empowering staff to deliver exceptional customer service while supporting ISO quality management initiatives.

About Us:

Raleigh Water’s Water Treatment Division is responsible for protecting public health and the environment through effective monitoring, and regulatory compliance. The Laboratory plays a critical role in ensuring data quality, permit compliance, and informed operational decision-making. Employees are part of a mission-driven organization committed to stewardship of public resources, innovation, and service to the Raleigh community.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises and evaluates assigned employees by overseeing hiring, work assignments, scheduling, training, and professional development
• Conducts performance appraisals, addresses employee concerns, administers disciplinary actions as appropriate, recommends salary adjustments, and serves as a liaison between employees and management
• Directs and evaluates staff functions and services, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
• Promotes a customer-focused culture by empowering employees to respond effectively to customer needs and expectations
• Manage financial planning, budget management, and resource allocation to promote operational efficiency and responsible stewardship of public funds
• Responds to internal and external stakeholder inquiries regarding laboratory procurement functions and services
• Reviews and approves monthly reports and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and permit requirements
• Participates in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) meetings to promote quality, safety, and operational efficiencyDevelops and updates Water Treatment goals and objectives in alignment with Raleigh Water’s Strategic Plan
• Develops, implements, and maintains quality assurance and quality control plans, document control and recordkeeping systems, standard operating procedures, and health and safety plans
• Performs related work as required

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Science or related field; 7 to 9 years' experience in professional level laboratory sampling, testing and analysis involving gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and related advanced analysis techniques; OR Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Licenses and Certifications:

• Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Certification
• Biological Water Pollution Control System Operator
• Industrial Pretreatment, North Carolina Grade A Surface
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Knowledge of:

• Chemical principles, theories, and methodologies
• Applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations related to the laboratory
• Instrumentation and testing methods, chemistry, microbiology, environmental engineering
• Dimensional analysis as well as inferential statistics
• Budget management and purchasing procedures
• Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater by the American Water Works Association
• Analytical methods and related laboratory procedures
• Operation and maintenance of specialized equipment and instrumentation
• Sampling, hold times, and laboratory protocols per regulatory agencies
• Modern office practices and procedures including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and other pertinent computer programs
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques

Skill in:

• Leading and motivating professional staff
• Resolving conflicts
• Monitoring and managing a budget
• Communicating both verbally and in writing
• Using technology to manage complex data
• Analytical thinking and data interpretation

Ability to:

• Communicate expectations, motivate employees, goals, provide feedback, and assess performance
• Prepare detailed oral or written summaries of results with the ability to assist with interpretation
• Review internal audits and external audit reports and implement corrections
• Assist department with implementation of new regulatory requirements
• Maintain a safe working environment
• Promote data integrity standards and take leadership within the department
• Configure and operate complex software systems

ADA and Other Requirements:

Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Work Environment:

Work is typically performed in an office or similar environment. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment.

Work Exposures:

There is frequent exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals or substances. Employees may occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.