Manager Laboratory Services

AL Solutions; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

AL Solutions in Philadelphia, PA, seeks a Laboratory Services Manager to own lab operations, lead a team of technicians, and ensure compliance with cGMP and safety standards. The role focuses on sample management, equipment maintenance, and continuous improvement across QA, QC, and manufacturing interfaces.

You’ll drive readiness for inspections, implement SOPs, and mentor staff to support high-quality analytical services in a fast-paced biologics environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or related field.
• 8-10+ years of laboratory operations experience, including at least 3 years of direct people management.
• Essential: Experience managing laboratory operations within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CDMO environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in sample management, facilities, safety, and instrument maintenance.
• Proven experience supporting regulatory inspections (FDA/EMA or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of GMP quality systems, SOPs, deviations, CAPAs, and change controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of laboratory technicians and oversee daily operations.
• Oversee all sample management activities, storage, tracking, chain of custody, and shipping.
• Manage laboratory infrastructure, calibration, preventive maintenance, and vendor service agreements.
• Ensure cgMP compliance, quality standards, and EHS regulations.
• Support audits and regulatory inspections (FDA, EMA, etc.).
• Develop and improve SOPs, training programs, and inventory systems.
• Oversee safety programs, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Manage external lab relationships, equipment procurement, and service contracts.
• Collaborate with Analytical Services, QA, QC, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences / related field

8-10+ years laboratory operations experience

3+ years people management

GMP/regulatory environment experience

Regulatory inspections experience (FDA/EMA)

Job description

George Higginson is currently partnered with a leading biologics CDMO that is expanding its Analytical Services team in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is looking to appoint an experienced Laboratory Services Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on laboratory operations leader to take ownership of sample management, laboratory infrastructure, equipment maintenance, safety, and GMP compliance while directly managing and developing a team of laboratory technicians.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring laboratory operations run efficiently, remain inspection-ready, and consistently support scientific teams in delivering high-quality analytical services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of laboratory technicians, overseeing daily operations, workload allocation, performance management, and professional development.
• Oversee all sample management activities, including receipt, storage, tracking, chain of custody, stability samples, and temperature-controlled shipping.
• Manage laboratory infrastructure, equipment maintenance, calibration, preventive maintenance programs, and vendor service agreements.
• Ensure laboratory operations remain fully compliant with cGMP requirements, internal quality standards, and applicable EHS regulations.
• Lead laboratory inspection readiness initiatives and support regulatory audits, including FDA and other relevant inspections.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve laboratory SOPs, training programs, inventory systems, and operational processes.
• Oversee laboratory safety programs, incident investigations, corrective actions, and ongoing facility upkeep.
• Manage third-party laboratory relationships, equipment procurement, vendor contracts, and external service providers.
• Partner closely with Analytical Services, QA, QC, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless laboratory operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and laboratory performance.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• 8-10+ years of laboratory operations experience, including at least 3 years of direct people management experience.
• Essential: Experience managing laboratory operations within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CDMO environment.
• Demonstrated expertise across both sample management/logistics and laboratory facilities, safety, and instrument maintenance.
• Proven experience supporting and leading successful regulatory inspections, including FDA, EMA, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of GMP quality systems, SOP management, deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and data integrity requirements.
• Experience developing or improving laboratory management systems, including preventive maintenance, training, and inventory programs.
• Strong vendor management, equipment procurement, and service contract negotiation experience.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Why Apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing biologics CDMO and take full ownership of laboratory operations within a highly collaborative Analytical Services environment.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop a high-performing team, implement operational improvements, and play an integral role in maintaining the quality, compliance, and efficiency of a growing laboratory function.