Quality Control Lab Manager

Mackie Myers; Santa Clarita (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackie Myers is partnering with a consumer packaged goods company to hire a Quality Control Laboratory Manager in Santa Clarita, CA. This role leads lab operations across raw materials, in-process testing, and finished goods, ensuring timely, accurate quality information to drive product excellence.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with leadership experience, overseeing testing programs, data review, CAPA, and continuous improvement while partnering with Quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive laboratory or quality control experience in manufacturing or regulated industry.
• Prior supervisory or management experience leading technical teams.
• Experience with investigations, root cause analysis, CAPA and quality system support.
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation and laboratory workflows.
• Experience coordinating with external testing partners and contract labs.
• Exposure to audits or regulatory inspections preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day laboratory operations and testing priorities.
• Lead, train, and develop laboratory personnel.
• Establish testing priorities aligned with production requirements, inventory needs, project timelines, and customer commitments.
• Review analytical data, test results, and related documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Coordinate testing activities with external laboratory partners and evaluate outsourced laboratory results.
• Drive continuous improvement and data integrity throughout laboratory operations.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Problem solving

Communication skills

Multitasking

Quality focus

Team coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/related field

Tools

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Mackie Myers is partnering with a CPG company on a Quality Control Manager role.

About the Company

A growing manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Quality Control Laboratory Manager to lead laboratory operations and quality control activities supporting raw materials, in-process production, and finished goods testing.

About the Role

This position provides leadership for laboratory personnel, analytical testing programs, data review processes, equipment management, external testing partners, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with operational leadership to ensure laboratory activities deliver accurate, reliable, and timely information that supports business and product quality objectives. This role partners closely with Quality, Operations, Product Development, Supply Chain, and external partners to ensure efficient laboratory performance while maintaining high standards of scientific rigor, compliance, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations & Team Leadership

• Direct day-to-day laboratory operations, testing priorities, workload management, and resource planning.
• Lead, coach, and develop laboratory personnel through training, performance management, and career development initiatives.
• Establish testing priorities aligned with production requirements, inventory needs, project timelines, and customer commitments.
• Monitor laboratory throughput, staffing requirements, turnaround times, and operational performance metrics.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure personnel are appropriately trained and qualified to perform assigned responsibilities.

Testing Oversight & Quality Support

• Oversee testing activities for incoming materials, production samples, finished products, environmental samples, and other quality-related analyses.
• Ensure proper sample collection, handling, storage, preparation, documentation, and retention practices.
• Review analytical data, test results, calculations, reports, and related documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal standards.
• Verify that approved testing methods and procedures are followed consistently.
• Provide technical guidance and quality recommendations to support material disposition, product release, and quality decision-making processes.
• Support product monitoring and shelf-life programs through data review, trend analysis, and risk assessment.
• Coordinate testing activities with external laboratory partners and evaluate outsourced laboratory results.

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Maintain laboratory systems, procedures, records, and documentation in accordance with company quality requirements and industry best practices.
• Ensure controlled documents, test methods, specifications, forms, and equipment records remain current and properly maintained.
• Oversee management of laboratory reagents, standards, reference materials, consumables, and testing resources.
• Support method qualification, verification, validation, and implementation activities where appropriate.
• Promote strong documentation practices and data integrity standards throughout laboratory operations.
• Monitor laboratory processes to ensure consistent and reliable results.

Equipment, Methods & External Partner Management

• Manage laboratory equipment life cycle activities including qualification, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and replacement planning.
• Oversee implementation and maintenance of analytical and microbiological methods.
• Support environmental monitoring and contamination prevention activities where applicable.
• Evaluate and monitor third-party testing providers to ensure acceptable technical capability and performance.
• Investigate discrepancies between internal and outsourced testing results and coordinate appropriate follow-up actions.
• Provide technical input during specification development and product change initiatives.

Investigations & Continuous Improvement

• Lead technical investigations involving atypical results, quality events, laboratory errors, data discrepancies, or process deviations.
• Conduct root cause analysis and identify corrective and preventive actions when required.
• Ensure investigations are scientifically sound, appropriately documented, and completed in a timely manner.
• Analyze trends and performance data to identify recurring risks and improvement opportunities.
• Support internal assessments, customer visits, external audits, and regulatory inspections as a laboratory subject matter expert.
• Drive initiatives focused on efficiency, cost reduction, quality improvements, and laboratory effectiveness.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop laboratory personnel.
• Set performance expectations and provide regular coaching and feedback.
• Allocate resources and prioritize work to achieve departmental objectives.
• Foster employee engagement and build a high-performing laboratory team.
• Resolve operational and personnel issues while promoting accountability and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related technical discipline required.
• Advanced degree and/or relevant industry certifications preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive laboratory or quality control experience within a manufacturing or regulated industry environment.
• Prior supervisory or management experience leading technical teams preferred.
• Experience conducting investigations, root cause analysis, CAPA activities, change management, and quality system support.
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation, laboratory workflows, and testing methodologies.
• Experience working with external testing partners and contract laboratories is highly desirable.
• Exposure to audit preparation, customer assessments, industry certifications, or regulatory inspections is preferred.
• Demonstrated success balancing technical decision-making with business priorities.

Required Skills

• Strong scientific and technical judgment.
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical thinking.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause investigation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop technical teams.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence