Senior Lab Manager

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Job summary

NC State University is seeking a Senior Lab Manager to provide strategic leadership for Zeis Textile Extension’s pilot‑scale labs in Raleigh, NC. The role oversees lab managers, champions safety, and drives operational excellence across production, testing and prototyping activities.

You will collaborate with the Wilson College of Textiles, industry partners and faculty to grow services, manage resources and advance workforce development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering or related fields preferred; technical degrees in related areas will be considered.
• 10+ years in manufacturing or operations leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in strengthening production systems through strong execution and continuous improvement.
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations and onboarding new technologies.
• Ability to work across industry, academic and research stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Supervise all laboratory managers and lead site leadership team.
• Drive Safety-First culture and laboratory safety plans.
• Oversee operational performance, scheduling and budgeting.
• Identify opportunities to expand technical services and partnerships.
• Manage multiple FSAs/projects and coordinate client engagements.
• Oversee equipment acquisitions and preventive maintenance.

Skills

Leadership

Ops Management

Lean Manufacturing

Safety Compliance

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Textile Eng or related)

Job description

PG194777EP

No

Senior Lab Manager

Commensurate based on experience

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, however hour may vary based on laboratory needs.

Raleigh, NC

Wilson College of Textiles

Over the past 125 years, the Wilson College of Textiles has developed a reputation for exceptional education, innovative research and productive industry partnerships. While we take pride in that legacy, we continue to set higher standards and new goals. That means establishing sustainability as the foundation of everything we do. It means updating the cutting edge technology used in our state-of-the-art labs and studios. It means a commitment to a welcoming and supportive culture. Put simply, it means using our textiles expertise to improve quality of life for everyone. We produce leaders who make a difference both at home in North Carolina and across the world. Students land top jobs in manufacturing, fashion, athletics, research, medicine, academia and more. Our faculty count the CDC, DOD and NSF as regular research partners. The Wilson College provides both the community feel of a small college and the resources of NC State University, a leading land-grant public research institution and recognized as one of the best employers in the state. Not to mention, it’s located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, which is consistently listed in U.S. News and World Report’s best American cities to live in. At NC State, our employee value proposition aims to create an ecosystem of meaningful work opportunities that align with Wolfpack 2030: Powering the Extraordinary, NC State’s strategic plan. We strive to provide an accepting and dynamic culture, opportunities for personal growth and professional development, and programs to support your busy life. Simply put, we want you to achieve your highest potential at work. If you’re a world‑class applicant with a passion for higher education and a commitment to affecting positive change locally and globally, apply to become a part of our hyper‑collaborative Wolfpack where everyone belongs.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work‑life balance with Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part‑Time or Full‑Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Senior Lab Manager provides strategic and operational leadership across Zeis Textile Extension’s pilot‑scale textile manufacturing, testing and prototyping laboratories. This role oversees laboratory managers and supports the continued growth, modernization, and utilization of ZTE’s facilities to serve industry, research, workforce development and innovation needs.
Working closely with the Zeis Director, Wilson faculty and staff as well as industry partners, the Senior Lab Manager helps position ZTE as a nationally recognized resource for applied textile innovation, technical problem solving, pilot‑scale manufacturing, and workforce training. The role is responsible for advancing operational excellence, equipment strategy, laboratory safety, client engagement and business development across the organization’s technical service portfolio.

Leadership and Personnel Management

• Supervise all laboratory managers within ZTE (knitting lab, weaving lab, physical testing lab, dying and finishing lab, and testing and fabrication services, prototyping lab).
• Lead, coach, and develop the site leadership team, building a culture of accountability, responsiveness, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Foster a collaborative and service‑oriented culture that supports technical excellence, workforce development, and continuous learning.
• Manage, develop, and provide training for employees.
• Determine and manage staff assignments, and provide leadership and daily direction of other laboratory personnel.
• Represent the facility to employees, customers, partners and executives.

Operations and Process Excellence

• Lead ZTE technical operations, including production, maintenance, safety, production quality, delivery and financial performance.
• Champion a Safety‑First culture and ensure all labs maintain a clean and safe work environment. Update the laboratory safety plan with Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). Serve on the Wilson College Safety Committee.
• Monitor and improve operational performance across laboratory utilization, project execution timelines, quality, customer responsiveness, and resource allocation.
• Drive operational excellence by optimizing staffing, scheduling, capacity and workflow to support production goals.
• Collaborate with teams to implement scalable processes and improve production flow, applying Lean, Kaizen, 5S and visual management to eliminate bottlenecks and raise operational efficiency.

Business Development and Client Engagement

• Identify opportunities to expand technical services, pilot manufacturing capabilities and industry engagement activities.
• Collaborate with the Zeis Director to grow external funding, technical service revenue and strategic partnerships.
• Serve as the primary industry liaison for priority projects.
• Manage multiple laboratory resources and conduct multiple Fabrication Service Agreement (FSA) projects simultaneously, including establishing priorities in the use of laboratory resources.
• Prepare FSA estimates, write FSAs, coordinate and oversee work associated with the FSAs, and invoice for work performed through the business office in partnership with lab managers.

Technical Expertise and Asset Management

• Oversee the proper and safe use of laboratory equipment and manage preventive equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Lead acquisitions of new equipment to modernize the laboratory and expand capabilities, soliciting quotes for new and used machinery.
• Keep up to date on the latest technology in the field through a strong network of machinery manufacturing contacts and by attending trade shows.
• Manage inventory control.

Strategy and Partnership

• Partner with the Zeis Director and the Assistant Dean of Finance and Operations to develop and drive business planning, ensuring continuous evolution to meet customer needs.
• Translate the business plan into measurable KPIs and manage actions to achieve overall budget and margin targets with each associated entity ZTE.
• Ensure lab readiness for new equipment, technologies and capabilities through strong cross‑functional alignment and disciplined change management.
• Collaborate with the Zeis Director, academic departments heads and college faculty to provide appropriate support for academic classes

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering or related fields preferred; technical degrees in related areas will be considered.

Other Required Qualifications

• 10+ years in manufacturing or operations leadership roles managing teams and project deliverables.
• Deep textiles production and manufacturing operations expertise.
• Proven experience in pilot or full production textile manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success in strengthening production systems through strong execution and continuous improvement.
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations, including onboarding new technologies, equipment, and product families.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across industry, academic, and research stakeholders.
• Strong cross‑cultural leadership and stakeholder‑management capabilities.
• Specialized knowledge of all lab capabilities within ZTE.
• Ability to manage simultaneous projects while ensuring customer/client satisfaction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or managing an entire manufacturing site or pilot/prototyping facility (Site Director, Plant Manager, or equivalent).
• Experience working in pilot‑scale manufacturing, applied research, extension, or technical service environments preferred.
• Experience in regulated environments (e.g. CGMP).
• Knowledge and skills associated with academic instruction.
• Previous experience in collaborating on student and faculty projects.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required

No

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail]. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.