Scientific Leader, Lab Operations

Eurofins Environment Testing (USA); Concord (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Dental and vision options

Job summary

Eurofins Environment Testing (USA) is seeking a Scientific Leader, Lab Operations, responsible for overseeing multi-site laboratory testing operations, ensuring operational excellence, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, over 7 years of lab operations experience, and experience in P&L ownership. They will lead a team of 20+ and drive continuous improvement initiatives through methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma. This position offers a hybrid working environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive laboratory operations experience in a multi-site leadership role.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership with full budget accountability.
• Experience leading teams of 20+ across dispersed locations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations across multiple laboratory sites.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize laboratory performance.
• Serve as the scientific authority for testing methodologies.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Leadership

P&L ownership

Compliance knowledge

Continuous improvement methodologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

Company Description

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries. It is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, and offers over 200,000 analytical methods to ensure safety, authenticity and traceability.

Scientific Leader, Lab Operations

The Scientific Leader, Lab Operations is a senior‑level hybrid scientist‑operator responsible for end‑to‑end performance of laboratory testing operations across multiple sites. This leader owns full P&L accountability, drives operational excellence, ensures scientific integrity and regulatory compliance, and develops high‑performing teams.

P&L & Financial Ownership

• Own revenue, margin, and cost targets across a defined portfolio of laboratory testing sites
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets; provide monthly financial reporting to executive leadership
• Identify and execute cost‑reduction and revenue‑expansion initiatives without compromising quality or throughput
• Partner with commercial/business development teams to support pricing strategy, client retention, and new business proposals
• Lead capital expenditure planning, including equipment investment justification and ROI analysis

Multi‑Site Lab Operations

• Oversee daily operations across multiple laboratory sites, ensuring consistency in workflows, turnaround times, and quality standards
• Establish and enforce standardized operating procedures, capacity planning models, and resource allocation frameworks across sites
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent) to optimize throughput, reduce waste, and improve TAT
• Monitor and act on KPIs including sample volume, capacity utilization, instrument uptime, and client satisfaction metrics
• Lead cross‑site coordination for surge capacity, disaster recovery protocols, and operational contingency planning

Scientific & Technical Leadership

• Serve as the scientific authority for testing methodologies, instrumentation, and data integrity across all reporting sites
• Ensure laboratories maintain and continuously improve accreditation standing (ISO 17025, CAP, CLIA, A2LA, or equivalent as applicable)
• Drive validation, verification, and implementation of new testing platforms and emerging analytical technologies
• Stay current on regulatory landscape changes; proactively update practices to maintain compliance with EPA, FDA, DOT, or relevant governing bodies
• Serve as a technical escalation point for complex client issues, out‑of‑specification results, and method failure investigations

Personnel Management & Organizational Development

• Lead, develop, and retain a multi‑site team spanning lab managers, supervisors, scientists, and analysts (typically 25–100+ FTEs)
• Build a performance culture through regular 1:1s, transparent goal‑setting, and structured development plans
• Identify and grow internal talent; champion succession planning and high‑potential development programs
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, compensation banding, and talent acquisition for technical roles
• Foster a culture of psychological safety, accountability, and scientific rigor

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the operational point of escalation for key accounts; participate in QBRs, client audits, and capability presentations
• Collaborate with sales and client services to ensure SLA adherence and proactive communication around capacity or TAT issues
• Support business development efforts including site tours, proposal input, and technical presentations

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific discipline (Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Biochemistry, or related field); advanced degree strongly preferred
• 7+ years of progressive laboratory operations experience, with at least 3 years in a multi‑site leadership role
• Demonstrated P&L ownership with full budget accountability in a laboratory or technical services environment
• Proven track record leading teams of 20+ across geographically dispersed locations
• Experience in any testing environment: environmental, food, pharmaceutical/bioanalytical, clinical, materials, genomics, or equivalent regulated laboratory sector
• Strong working knowledge of laboratory accreditation standards and applicable regulatory frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to implement operational improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent)

Additional Information

• We support your development! If you don’t match 100% of the requirements, we encourage you to apply.
• We embrace diversity! Eurofins is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on any basis.
• Sustainability matters to us. We are well on our way to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025.
• We do not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical coverage, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid holidays, paid time off, dental and vision options. Benefits vary based on full‑time or part‑time status.

EEO Statement

Eurofins USA Environment Testing is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.