Lab Supervisor

Aurubis – metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi-metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity. These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e-mobility, and urbanization. Aurubis has about 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system.

Join our team and promote progress together with us!

The Laboratory Supervisor leads day-to-day laboratory operations and personnel at Aurubis Richmond, ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate results with a strong focus on quality and operational excellence. This role manages laboratory resources, provides technical guidance and team development, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings laboratory experience, preferably in non-ferrous metallurgy, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to safety, quality, and environmental standards.

Lead daily laboratory operations and supervise, coach, and develop laboratory personnel.

Ensure accurate, timely, and reliable laboratory testing, sample preparation, documentation, and reporting.

Maintain compliance with safety, environmental, quality, regulatory, and company requirements.

Oversee laboratory equipment, supplies, systems, work areas, and resources to maintain operational readiness.

Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, work instructions, quality standards, and training requirements.

Monitor KPIs, quality results, and laboratory lead times, taking corrective action when performance targets are not met.

Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that enhance safety, quality, efficiency, cost, and reliability.

Provide technical guidance on laboratory methods, equipment, systems, troubleshooting, and process improvements.

Partner cross-functionally with Production, Sample Preparation, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, Logistics, Purchasing, and other stakeholders.

Support laboratory projects, equipment commissioning, process optimization, budgeting, and departmental initiatives.

Foster a positive, safety-focused culture built on accountability, collaboration, employee development, and operational excellence.

Serve as backup to the Sample Preparation & Laboratory Manager as needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline, such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

5+ years of laboratory experience, including supervisory or leadership experience; non-ferrous metallurgy experience strongly preferred.

Strong knowledge of laboratory procedures, sampling, testing, equipment operation, and calibration.

Experience with laboratory safety, environmental requirements, and regulatory compliance.

Knowledge of workplace hazards and applicable quality, safety, and environmental standards.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and basic business/ERP systems.

Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, develop, and manage teams.

Strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Ability to manage priorities, adapt to changing conditions, and perform effectively in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to safety, quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Experience in a metals, manufacturing, or international laboratory environment (preferred).

Knowledge of Lean, continuous improvement, TPS, or Statistical Process Control (SPC) principles. Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems.

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