Laboratory Manager - Analytical; QC

Food Management Search; Mount Pleasant (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Management Search, Inc. seeks a hands-on QC Laboratory Lead for a 24/7 specialty chemical manufacturing operation. You will direct a QC team, oversee analytical testing, and drive continuous improvement to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.

This role partners with Production and Operations to align testing priorities with manufacturing goals and regulatory compliance. Strong instrumentation experience and ISO/QMS familiarity are required.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemistry with 5+ years in analytical/QC labs.
• 3+ years of proven laboratory leadership and CI skills.
• Hands-on with analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with LIMS and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a QC Lab team and manage daily operations.
• Support 24/7 manufacturing by prioritizing workflow.
• Perform and interpret analyses (HPLC, GC, GC-MS, FT-IR, UV-Vis, etc.).
• Oversee data review, product release and data integrity.
• Lead CAPA, method improvements and CI initiatives.
• Maintain SOPs, specs, ISO/QMS compliance.
• Manage resources, training, and performance to meet production goals.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Analytical testing

Team development

Education

BSc Chemistry

MS Chemistry

Tools

LIMS

JD Edwards (Oracle)

ERP systems

Job description

Great opportunity to Lead a QC Laboratory Team supporting a 24/7 specialty chemical manufacturing operation. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for laboratory operations, analytical testing, quality systems, team development, and continuous improvement while partnering with Production and Operations to ensure product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities:

• --- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of QC Laboratory team while managing daily laboratory operations.
• --- Support 24/7 manufacturing by prioritizing workflow, allocating resources, and ensuring timely analytical results.
• --- Perform and interpret analytical testing using HPLC, GC, GC-MS, FT-IR, UV-Vis, Karl Fischer, Viscometer, NMR, and other laboratory instrumentation.
• --- Oversee organic analytical and wet chemistry testing for raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
• --- Review analytical data, authorize product release, and maintain data integrity within ERP/LIMS systems.
• --- Lead root cause investigations, CAPA activities, method improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• --- Maintain laboratory documentation, SOPs, analytical methods, specifications, and ISO/QMS compliance.
• --- Manage laboratory resources, instrumentation, personnel training, and performance to support production goals

Qualifications:

• --- BS or MS Chemistry degree with 5+ years Analytical/ Quality Control Laboratory experience in chemical, pharma, food process manufacturing plants.
• --- Requires 3+ years of proven laboratory leadership, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills.
• --- Solid hands-on experience with analytical laboratory instrumentation and testing methods.
• --- Knowledge of ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems, laboratory documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• --- Experience with LIMS, JD Edwards (Oracle), or similar laboratory/ERP systems