Laboratory Manager - Analytical; QC

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC; Mount Pleasant (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC is seeking a hands-on leader to head a QC laboratory team in Mount Pleasant, SC, supporting a 24/7 specialty chemical operation. You will guide lab operations, oversee analytical testing, and drive quality initiatives that ensure product quality and customer satisfaction.

This role requires strong experience with HPLC, GC, GC-MS, FT-IR, UV-Vis, NMR, and ISO 9001 compliance, plus familiarity with ERP/LIMS systems to maintain data integrity and support production goals.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemistry with 5+ years in analytical/QC within chemical/pharma/food process environments.
• 3+ years in laboratory leadership, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Solid hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation and testing methods.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, QMS, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with LIMS and ERP systems such as JD Edwards or equivalent.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership

Analytical testing

Regulatory compliance

Problem-solving

Team development

Education

BS or MS in Chemistry

Tools

HPLC

GC/GC-MS

NMR

LIMS

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