Special Projects Manager - Laboratories

LE002 Onterris Payroll, LLC; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris Labs in Orange, CA is seeking an onsite Special Projects Manager to lead cross‑functional laboratory improvement initiatives. The role focuses on observing operations, identifying risks, and driving defined projects through completion with ownership across departments.

The position requires strong analytical skills, Lean Six Sigma expertise, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced lab setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of environmental laboratory experience.
• Experience with root cause analysis and process improvement methodologies.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (or higher) certification, or equivalent demonstrated experience applying Lean or Six Sigma tools in an environmental laboratory setting, preferred.
• Strong understanding of laboratory operations and workflows.
• Strong analytical skills with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems and laboratory workflow technologies preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to drive cross‑functional actions to completion without direct authority.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Work independently with control of own activities, setting priorities and timelines without close supervision.

Responsibilities

• Observe laboratory operations and conduct process reviews to identify gaps, inefficiencies and risks.
• Develop process maps, workflows, checklists, and implementation roadmaps with owners and timelines.
• Lead root cause investigations and verify improvements are sustained.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders and maintain high standards of data quality and documentation.
• Coordinate with Operations, Quality, HR, and other teams to ensure new methodologies are transitioned into routine lab operations.

Skills

Environmental lab experience

Process improvement

Root cause analysis

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

LIMS familiarity

Project management

Tools

LIMS

Job description

About Us At Onterris

we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact. “For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive. When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact. Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life

Onterris Labs, located in Orange, CA, is seeking an onsite Special Projects Manager to lead cross-functional laboratory improvement initiatives focused on operational processes, quality-system execution, training effectiveness, workflow efficiency, and supporting data systems. This is a hands‑on, floor‑based role expected to spend the majority of its time observing how work is actually performed, identifying risks and improvement opportunities, and driving defined projects through implementation and sustained adoption. The Special Projects Manager does not replace functional ownership within Operations, Quality, Training, Method Development, or Data Systems; the role identifies cross‑functional gaps, establishes improvement plans with the appropriate owners, and drives those plans through completion. This position is expected to be 100% onsite Monday‑Friday. The Special Projects Manager will independently lead and control improvement projects from identification through verified completion, setting clear tasks, owners, and timelines for each initiative. As a results‑oriented, analytical problem solver with a drive for change, this individual will take the initiative to challenge current practices and deliver timely, high‑quality, and accurate outcomes. Success in this role requires a disciplined, thorough, and precise approach, with decisions grounded in detailed technical knowledge and data, close hands‑on follow‑up, and the self‑confidence to hold functional owners accountable for agreed actions. Find the gap. Understand the risk. Determine what needs to change. Engage the right owner. Drive it to completion. Verify it sticks.

The compensation range for this role is $90K to $120K, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location. Schedule: Onsite, Monday - Friday.

To thrive in this role

you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities: Observe laboratory operations and conduct process reviews and gap analyses across laboratory departments to identify differences between documented procedures, training, actual laboratory practices, and process requirements, as well as identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, risks, and improvement opportunities. Identify, evaluate, and prioritize opportunities to reduce rework, eliminate bottlenecks and manual workarounds, improve efficiency, strengthen operational performance, and reduce business risk. Develop process maps, workflows, standard work practices, checklists, improvement plans, and implementation roadmaps; establish ownership and timelines, monitor progress, facilitate adoption, and verify improvements are completed, sustained, and effective. Apply deep technical and laboratory expertise to analyze systems, data, and workflows, develop practical solutions, and make sound, risk‑based decisions. Define clear tasks, duties, and expectations for each initiative, and deliver high‑quality work products on time. Partner with Operations, TDs, Quality, HR, Group Leaders, Project Management, and corporate and local Method Development Scientists to lead root cause investigations, implement improvements, verify effectiveness, and ensure new methodologies are successfully transitioned into routine laboratory operations. Assert positions with confidence and hold owners accountable for agreed actions while maintaining professional working relationships. Provide hands‑on involvement and close follow‑up to verify corrective actions are completed and sustained. Manage multiple priorities simultaneously and respond positively to pressure in a fast‑paced laboratory environment. Communicate in a clear, factual, and businesslike manner, presenting accurate information and all sides of an issue to support decision‑making. Maintain high standards for quality and accuracy, with a careful, thorough, and precise approach to procedures, documentation, and compliance requirements. Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Role Focus.

Role Focus

• 60-70% Floor-Based Observation and Assessment
• 20-30% Improvement Projects and Implementation
• 10-20% Reporting, Documentation, and Communication

Your Expertise and Skills These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.

• Minimum 5 years of environmental laboratory experience.
• Demonstrated success identifying, leading, and implementing process improvement initiatives within a laboratory environment.
• Experience with root cause analysis and process improvement methodologies.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (or higher) certification, or equivalent demonstrated experience applying Lean or Six Sigma tools in an environmental laboratory setting, preferred.
• Strong understanding of laboratory operations and workflows.
• Strong analytical skills with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and process discipline.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems and laboratory workflow technologies preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to drive cross‑functional actions to completion without direct authority, using data, technical expertise, and clearly defined expectations to gain agreement from functional owners.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Work independently with control of own activities, setting priorities and timelines without close supervision.
• Clear, factual, and concise communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with functional owners to implement and sustain improvements.
• Take initiative and maintain a proactive, competitive mindset with a strong drive to get things done.
• Demonstrate a results‑oriented, innovative, and analytical approach with a drive for change and process improvement.

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, learn more.

At Onterris, we take on complex challenges with purpose and momentum, alongside teams that lead with integrity, deliver together, and invest in your growth. "Working with inspiring coworkers and clients across the globe over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding. Their passion motivates me to improve our client experience and work that I deliver." – Erin Peck, Emissions Services

"There are not many places where a toxicologist can be boots‑on‑the‑ground at an environmental emergency one day and deep in a human health risk assessment or litigation the next, but this company is one of them, and honestly, that breadth is what makes me love the work. We are a team of scientists with a broad range of talents and experiences who genuinely take the mission to heart, because protecting people and communities from chemical hazards is not abstract here; it is exactly why we show up every day. The culture reflects that shared commitment in the best way: collaborative, rigorous, and truly motivated by the impact we make together." – Andre Richardson, Consulting

"I knew my position here would be more than just a job. Every day is a new, exciting challenge to solve, and I get to go home knowing that the work I am doing is having a positive impact on the world." – J Esteves, R&D