Packaging Laboratory Manager

Reporting Structure: VP, Packaging & Consulting

Salary: $75,000 to $95,000 annually

Canyon Labs is one of the fastest growing independent medical device testing laboratories in the United States. We partner with many of the world's leading medical device manufacturers to ensure their products are safe, compliant, and ready for market.

We're looking for a Packaging Laboratory Manager to lead the daily operations of our Packaging Testing laboratory. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys solving operational challenges just as much as technical ones. You'll lead a team of laboratory technicians, oversee packaging validation testing, optimize laboratory scheduling and capacity, and help build the next generation of our Packaging business.

If you're energized by fast-paced environments, enjoy leading from the laboratory floor, and want to help build something exceptional, we'd love to meet you.

As Packaging Laboratory Manager, you'll be responsible for the daily operation and technical leadership of our Packaging Testing laboratory.

You’ll:

• Lead the day-to-day operation of a busy packaging testing laboratory.
• Schedule technicians, equipment, and testing activities to maximize laboratory efficiency and meet customer turnaround times.
• Balance changing priorities while maintaining quality and safety.
• Author, review, and approve packaging validation protocols.
• Review technical reports and ensure testing is scientifically accurate and compliant.
• Lead package testing activities supporting ISO 11607 packaging validations, including transportation simulation, accelerated and real-time aging, and package integrity testing.
• Coach and develop laboratory technicians while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Partner with Commercial, Quality, and Client Operations to support customer success.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase throughput, eliminate bottlenecks, and improve laboratory performance.
• Maintain compliance with ASTM, ISTA, ISO, FDA, and Canyon Labs quality requirements.

The ideal candidate is both an engineer and an operator.

They know how to:

• Keep a busy laboratory running smoothly.
• Effectively schedule people, equipment, and testing.
• Think several days ahead while adapting quickly when priorities change.
• Remove bottlenecks before they become problems.
• Write and review technically sound packaging validation protocols.
• Develop people while maintaining high performance expectations.
• Balance quality, customer service, and operational efficiency.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Five or more years of experience in packaging testing, package engineering, medical device packaging, or laboratory operations.
• Three or more years of leadership experience.
• Experience managing laboratory workflow, scheduling, and competing priorities.
• Strong understanding of medical device packaging validation principles.
• Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills.

Preferred

• Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP)
• ASTM and ISTA training
• Experience with ISO 11607
• Medical device industry experience
• Experience supporting sterile barrier system validations
• Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement experience
• Working knowledge of sterilization technologies including EO, Gamma, Electron Beam, Steam, X-ray, or Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP)

Experience with many of the following is preferred:

• ISO 11607
• ASTM standards
• ISTA standards
• Transportation simulation
• Accelerated aging
• Real-time aging
• Package integrity testing
• Root cause analysis
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

At Canyon Labs, we're building something different.

We believe laboratories should be agile, customer-focused, and scientifically exceptional. We invest in our people, encourage new ideas, and give leaders the opportunity to make a real impact.

You’ll join a growing organization where your leadership will directly influence our customers' success, our laboratory's performance, and the future of our…