Lead Analytical Scientist

ForceBrands; Carrollton (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

ForceBrands seeks a hands-on Analytical Scientist to own bench work, laboratory instrumentation, and data quality. This individual contributor role focuses on reproducible results and compliant data in a growing lab.

You will operate HPLC-DAD/UV and HPTLC systems, transfer methods, perform verification, maintain logs, and collaborate with QA, R&D, and Procurement to support product release.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Food Science, or a closely related discipline.
• At least four years of hands-on HPLC experience within a dietary supplement, botanical, pharmaceutical, food, or contract-testing laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain HPLC systems from manufacturers such as Agilent, Waters, Shimadzu, or similar.
• Experience using chromatography data systems and related analytical software.
• Previous HPTLC experience or a strong chromatography background with an interest in learning the platform.
• Experience executing analytical method transfers or method-verification studies in a regulated laboratory.
• Working knowledge of cGMP requirements, 21 CFR Part 111, and good documentation practices.
• Exceptional attention to detail, consistency, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to work independently and contribute positively within a laboratory environment that is actively being built and expanded.
• A collaborative attitude and genuine willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Operate HPLC-DAD/UV and HPTLC systems to evaluate incoming botanical raw materials, standardized blends, and finished products for identity and marker-compound potency.
• Prepare samples, mobile phases, reference standards, and calibration curves in accordance with approved methods.
• Review chromatograms, conduct system suitability assessments, calculate results, and report findings against established specifications.
• Maintain sample logs, chain-of-custody documentation, and complete laboratory records that meet cGMP data-integrity requirements.
• Transfer validated analytical methods from third-party laboratories and method developers to internal laboratory instruments.
• Execute verification studies and document that transferred methods perform as intended.
• Investigate and troubleshoot issues related to peak shape, retention-time drift, sensitivity, and column performance, escalating when method modifications are necessary.
• Manage the inventory, storage, and qualification documentation for internal reference standards.
• Assist with the installation, qualification, and startup of HPLC and HPTLC systems, including IQ, OQ, and PQ activities.
• Support the implementation of additional analytical platforms as laboratory capabilities expand.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration checks, column management, and consumables tracking.
• Schedule and coordinate vendor service while keeping instrument logbooks, maintenance records, and qualification documentation current and audit-ready.
• Follow and help maintain laboratory SOPs, safety procedures, and housekeeping standards.
• Coordinate sample submissions to external laboratories for testing that remains outsourced.
• Compare and reconcile third-party laboratory results with internally generated data.
• Provide Quality, R&D, and Procurement teams with analytical data supporting supplier qualification, formulation activities, and product-release decisions.

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Pharmacognosy/Food Science or closely related discipline

Tools

HPLC systems (Agilent/Waters/Shimadzu)

Chromatography data systems

HPTLC instrumentation

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Analytical Scientist who is passionate about spending each day at the bench generating accurate, reproducible data. This is an individual contributor, not a management position, and is ideal for someone who will take full ownership of laboratory instrumentation, analytical methods, and the quality of every result produced.

Responsibilities

Routine Analytical Testing

• Operate HPLC-DAD/UV and HPTLC systems to evaluate incoming botanical raw materials, standardized blends, and finished products for identity and marker-compound potency.
• Prepare samples, mobile phases, reference standards, and calibration curves in accordance with approved methods.
• Review chromatograms, conduct system suitability assessments, calculate results, and report findings against established specifications.
• Maintain sample logs, chain-of-custody documentation, and complete laboratory records that meet cGMP data-integrity requirements.

Method Transfer and Verification

• Transfer validated analytical methods from third-party laboratories and method developers to internal laboratory instruments.
• Execute verification studies and document that transferred methods perform as intended.
• Investigate and troubleshoot issues related to peak shape, retention-time drift, sensitivity, and column performance, escalating when method modifications are necessary.
• Manage the inventory, storage, and qualification documentation for internal reference standards.

Instrument Commissioning and Maintenance

• Assist with the installation, qualification, and startup of HPLC and HPTLC systems, including IQ, OQ, and PQ activities.
• Support the implementation of additional analytical platforms as laboratory capabilities expand.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration checks, column management, and consumables tracking.
• Schedule and coordinate vendor service while keeping instrument logbooks, maintenance records, and qualification documentation current and audit-ready.

Laboratory Operations and Cross-Functional Support

• Follow and help maintain laboratory SOPs, safety procedures, and housekeeping standards.
• Coordinate sample submissions to external laboratories for testing that remains outsourced.
• Compare and reconcile third-party laboratory results with internally generated data.
• Provide Quality, R&D, and Procurement teams with analytical data supporting supplier qualification, formulation activities, and product-release decisions.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Food Science, or a closely related discipline.
• At least four years of hands-on HPLC experience within a dietary supplement, botanical, pharmaceutical, food, or contract-testing laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain HPLC systems from manufacturers such as Agilent, Waters, Shimadzu, or similar.
• Experience using chromatography data systems and related analytical software.
• Previous HPTLC experience or a strong chromatography background with an interest in learning the platform.
• Experience executing analytical method transfers or method-verification studies in a regulated laboratory.
• Working knowledge of cGMP requirements, 21 CFR Part 111, and good documentation practices.
• Exceptional attention to detail, consistency, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to work independently and contribute positively within a laboratory environment that is actively being built and expanded.
• A collaborative attitude and genuine willingness to learn.

Preferred

• Experience analyzing botanical marker compounds such as curcuminoids, withanolides, sennosides, gingerols, glycyrrhizin, or azadirachtin.
• Exposure to LC-MS, GC-MS, or ICP-OES instrumentation.
• Experience commissioning, qualifying, or launching new laboratory instruments.
• Previous experience within an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory.
• Bilingual English and Spanish capabilities are helpful but not required.

Working Conditions

This is a laboratory based position within a manufacturing facility. The role requires regular handling of chemicals, solvents, and botanical materials using appropriate personal protective equipment, as well as occasional work in warehouse and receiving areas.