Laboratory Manager

Terracon; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon Texas seeks a Laboratory Manager to coordinate testing of soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt, ensuring safety and adherence to Terracon’s quality protocols. You will supervise staff, train personnel, and maintain equipment to support project requirements.

You will also help prepare proposals, oversee lab operations, and drive continuous quality improvements in line with the Quality Management System. A degree and relevant certifications are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or related field and 5 years’ experience performing laboratory tests on construction and geotechnical materials.
• Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
• Certification by qualified authorities (ACI, NICET, DOT) required or in-house certification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate or manage activities of a construction or geotechnical materials laboratory, ensuring safe, timely testing.
• Oversee training and utilization of laboratory staff and maintenance of equipment.
• Supervise laboratory activities to meet client requirements and company standards.
• Ensure adherence to the Quality program and the Construction Materials Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead safety efforts and promote pre-task planning for projects.
• Assist with short-range business development and proposals for laboratory services.

Skills

Laboratory management

Supervision

Staff training

Safety compliance

Proposal support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or related field

Certification by national, regional or state authorities (ACI, NICET, DOT)

Tools

Quality management systems

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Responsible for coordinating or managing the activities of a Construction or Geotechnical materials laboratory (testing includes materials such as soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt). This includes ensuring that the laboratory testing services are conducted in a safe manner and consistent with company quality protocols, project requirements, and in a timely manner. Oversee or coordinate the training and utilization of laboratory staff. Oversee or coordinate the maintenance and cleanliness of the laboratory and testing equipment.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provides supplemental operating policies and procedures unique to the laboratory to ensure that the testing services are accomplished consistent with Terracon’s quality protocol and in an orderly and efficient manner.
• Works with Office Management during preparation of proposals and quotations for laboratory testing services to ensure proper scoping of services, availability of manpower, and appropriate pricing to render a profit.
• Ensures that laboratory personnel are properly trained, supervised and equipped with the necessary tools and equipment to ensure their personal safety in the office and laboratory.
• Directly supervises or monitors laboratory activities to ensure that the work is executed on time and in accordance with the client and project requirements and within company policies, procedures and standards.
• Ensures that laboratory processes and personnel adhere to the requirements of the company Quality program and the Construction Materials Quality Management System (QMS).
• Evaluates the performance of all employees within the laboratory and assists them in their professional development and growth, consistent with company policies and procedures.
• Supervises the efficient utilization of facilities and equipment assigned to the laboratory and makes requests for additional equipment and facilities as needed to meet the client’s demands.
• Oversees calibration and maintenance of the laboratory equipment.
• Oversees the proper organization and appearance of the laboratory area, including keeping the area and equipment clean and uncluttered.
• Provides assistance to the Materials and/or Geotechnical Department Manager, directs the short-range business development activities of laboratory personnel to ensure that adequate fees are available to support the manpower staffing levels.
• Directly supervises the administrative systems of the laboratory to ensure that reports, proposals, and information required to serve the client are properly prepared and reported.
• Ensures that laboratory personnel follow company administrative policies. Examples of such policies include, but are not limited to, time sheets, expense reports and purchase order requirements.
• With the assistance from the Materials and/or Geotechnical Department Manager, plans, recruits, selects and provides training for personnel in the department.
• Assists the Materials and/or Geotechnical Department Manager with the preparation of each annual department business plan.
• May be required to perform construction and geotechnical related laboratory testing based on workload and staffing.
• Develop understanding and be aware of project-related risk. Be familiar with what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the Company. Be familiar with company risk policies.
• Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines. Responsible for creating and modeling a safe work environment; demonstrates safety practices. Promote pre-task planning for all projects.
• Promote continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects. Monitor quality standards and practices. Engage APRs on projects at their onset.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or related field and 5 years’ experience performing laboratory tests on construction and geotechnical materials. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
• A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.

Required Qualifications:

• Certification by qualified national, regional or state authorities (ACI, NICET, DOT) or in-house certification is required in areas such as concrete, aggregates, soil and rock, or road and paving materials.