Senior Laboratory Manager

LaSalle Network; Little Canada (MN); On-site; USD 86,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Job summary

LaSalle Network is seeking a Senior Laboratory Manager to lead operations, drive quality, and mentor managers, supervisors, and staff. You will balance day-to-day lab demands with long-term process improvements and client service.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership in chemistry, microbiology, and food‑science contexts, ensuring compliant testing, data integrity, and efficient performance through robust QA/QC and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant laboratory experience with a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• Strong knowledge in chemistry, microbiology, or food science.
• Experience supervising laboratory personnel and leading daily operations.
• Familiarity with LIMS and QA/QC processes.
• Ability to manage budgets and resources for efficiency.
• Excellent communication and client relation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory operations and provide direction to managers, supervisors, and staff.
• Ensure testing activities are performed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with SOPs and client requirements.
• Develop and maintain systems and processes for consistent testing methodologies.
• Review laboratory data, identify discrepancies, and resolve issues before release to clients.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented and documented.
• Partner with other leaders to implement new testing methods and provide training.
• Coordinate with auditors to ensure quality systems are followed.
• Authorize and release laboratory data.
• Review KPI data and address underperforming areas.
• Monitor overtime and on-time delivery; drive improvements.
• Support quality, CI, and industrial performance initiatives.
• Identify and develop high-potential talent; manage staffing and training.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Quality systems

Data interpretation

Laboratory testing methods

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Senior Laboratory Manager

Our client is seeking a Senior Laboratory Manager to lead laboratory operations and provide strategic and hands‑on leadership to managers, supervisors, and laboratory personnel. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant testing of client samples while driving operational efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a strong technical and people leader with experience in chemistry, microbiology, food science, or a related laboratory environment who can balance day-to-day operational demands with long-term process improvement and client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory operations and provide direction to Operations Managers, supervisors, and departmental personnel.
• Ensure testing activities are performed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and client requirements.
• Develop and maintain systems and processes that ensure appropriate testing methodologies are consistently followed.
• Review and interpret laboratory data, identify discrepancies, and ensure issues are resolved before results are released to clients.
• Ensure corrective actions are appropriately implemented, documented, and followed through to completion.
• Partner with other department leaders to implement new testing methods, systems, and processes and ensure effective training.
• Communicate emerging client requirements and testing needs to laboratory personnel.
• Work with internal and external auditors to ensure quality systems and testing procedures are properly followed.
• Perform final authorization and release of laboratory data.
• Review proficiency testing and key performance data and address areas that are not meeting established targets.
• Monitor operational KPIs, including overtime and on-time delivery, and implement improvements as needed.
• Support corporate quality, continuous improvement, and industrial performance initiatives.
• Identify, develop, and retain high-potential talent within the organization.
• Manage departmental staffing, including hiring, training, performance management, and employee development.
• Maintain knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and other technology used to support laboratory operations.
• Develop and maintain expertise in food science, chemistry, and related technologies.
• Manage departmental resources and support financial efficiency, budgeting, and operational planning.
• Serve as a technical resource in resolving complex analytical challenges and determining appropriate testing methodologies.

Requirements

• 7+ years of relevant laboratory experience with a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• Strong technical knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, food science, or related laboratory disciplines.
• Proven experience supervising or managing laboratory personnel and leading daily laboratory operations.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing methods, quality systems, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Experience interpreting laboratory data and resolving analytical discrepancies.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Strong understanding of quality control, corrective actions, audits, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent organizational, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and client relationship skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a high-volume laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, coach, and motivate employees.
• Experience with budgeting and managing resources to support financial and operational efficiency.
• Ability to research and identify appropriate methodologies when faced with complex or non-standard testing requirements.

Work Environment

• Laboratory-based environment with occasional exposure to fumes requiring appropriate safety equipment.
• Position may require extended periods of standing while working in or evaluating laboratory operations.
• Client visits may require protective clothing and equipment depending on the facility.
• Overnight travel is expected to be limited, generally fewer than two nights per month for meetings and professional seminars.

Compensation

$115,000-$126,000 CAD annually

Bonus

Eligible to earn a bonus based on performance

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance available