QC Laboratory Lead

Actalent; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness

Accident & Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan

Pre-tax and Roth contributions

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off / PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a QC Laboratory Lead for our GMP-regulated Quality Control laboratory in San Diego, CA. This role combines leadership with hands-on testing oversight to ensure timely product release and compliant data.

The position focuses ~80% on leadership and operations management and ~20% on hands-on technical guidance. A strong background in analytical chemistry and team development is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related Life Sciences discipline.
• 4+ years of QC laboratory experience in a GMP-regulated environment.
• 1+ year of experience leading analysts, coordinating laboratory operations, or serving as a technical lead.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP regulations, quality systems, SOP compliance, and data integrity requirements.
• Hands-on experience with HPLC analysis.
• Experience with GC, MS, Moisture Analysis, and Method Validation/Validation Support Activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of a GMP Quality Control laboratory.
• Build and maintain testing schedules up to two weeks in advance.
• Coordinate daily workload and testing priorities for QC Analysts, Chemists, and Laboratory Operators.
• Monitor laboratory performance metrics and adherence to KPIs.
• Serve as the primary contact for shift activities and cross-functional communication.
• Partner with QA, Manufacturing and external labs to ensure timely testing.
• Review analytical data and quality documentation for GMP compliance.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to laboratory personnel.
• Support employee development through training and feedback.
• Approve timecards and assist with staffing/resource planning.
• Escalate operational issues and drive solutions.

Skills

HPLC

GC

MS

Moisture Analysis

Method Validation

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related Life Science

Tools

SOPs and GMP documentation

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced QC Laboratory Lead to oversee daily operations within a GMP-regulated Quality Control laboratory. This individual will serve as the technical and operational leader for their shift, ensuring testing activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with manufacturing and product release timelines. This role is ideal for a strong analytical chemist who has transitioned into leadership and enjoys coordinating laboratory operations, managing priorities, mentoring analysts, and driving performance within a fast-paced pharmaceutical environment. Approximately 80% of the role is focused on laboratory leadership and operations management, with 20% dedicated to hands-on laboratory support and technical guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of a GMP Quality Control laboratory supporting commercial manufacturing.
• Build and maintain testing schedules up to two weeks in advance to support production and release timelines.
• Coordinate daily workload and testing priorities for QC Analysts, Chemists, and Laboratory Operators.
• Monitor laboratory performance metrics and ensure adherence to schedule-driven KPIs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for shift activities, issue resolution, and cross-functional communication.
• Partner closely with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and external contract laboratories to ensure timely execution of testing activities.
• Review analytical data and quality documentation to ensure compliance with GMP standards.
• Provide technical mentorship, coaching, and guidance to laboratory personnel.
• Support employee development through training, performance feedback, and knowledge sharing.
• Approve employee timecards and assist with staffing and resource planning.
• Escalate operational issues and drive solutions to maintain testing schedules and production commitments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related Life Sciences discipline.
• 4+ years of Quality Control laboratory experience in a GMP-regulated environment.
• 1+ year of experience leading analysts, coordinating laboratory operations, or serving as a technical lead.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP regulations, quality systems, SOP compliance, and data integrity requirements.
• Hands-on experience with HPLC analysis.
• Experience with additional analytical techniques such as:
  • Gas Chromatography (GC)
  • Mass Spectrometry (MS)
  • Moisture Analysis
  • Method Validation and Validation Support Activities
• Proven ability to prioritize multiple projects and manage competing testing demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or regulated manufacturing operations.
• Experience working with outsourced or contract testing laboratories.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence teams and drive results without direct authority.
• Experience reviewing analytical data packages, deviations, investigations, and laboratory documentation.
• Demonstrated success coaching, mentoring, and developing junior scientists and analysts.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical chemistry expertise with proven frontline leadership experience. They are highly organized, thrive in a fast-paced GMP environment, and excel at coordinating laboratory resources, balancing testing priorities, and ensuring on-time delivery of quality results that support manufacturing operations.

Work Environment

• Onsite role within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
• Fast-paced Quality Control laboratory supporting commercial production.
• Frequent collaboration with QC, QA, Manufacturing, Operations, and site leadership teams.
• May require occasional overtime, evening, or weekend support based on production demands.
• Laboratory PPE, gowning, and safety requirements apply.
• Combination of laboratory work, documentation review, team leadership, and computer-based tasks.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness
• Accident & Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 4, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego, CA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.