Lab Manager

Element Staffing is recruiting for a Laboratory Manager for a precious metals recycling and analytical testing company in the Houston, TX area. This position is responsible for overseeing day-to-day laboratory operations, supervising laboratory personnel, and ensuring the accurate and timely analysis of catalyst samples within a high-volume production laboratory environment.

The Laboratory Manager will lead a team of approximately 12-15 laboratory employees responsible for sample preparation and analytical testing of precious metals, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. This is a hands-on leadership position, and the successful candidate will be expected to support bench activities during periods of high workload while driving operational efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced laboratory leader seeking a long-term opportunity with a stable and growing organization that plays a critical role in the precious metals recycling industry.

• Manage all day-to-day laboratory activities associated with catalyst sample preparation and analysis
• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of approximately 12-15 laboratory technicians and analysts
• Schedule laboratory personnel to ensure adequate staffing and operational coverage
• Monitor laboratory workflow, productivity, and equipment utilization
• Coordinate priorities with production and operations teams to meet business requirements
• Participate in sample preparation and analytical activities during periods of high workload
• Oversee sample receipt, chain-of-custody procedures, drying, grinding, milling, blending, and homogenization activities
• Review and verify analytical data and ensure quality control requirements are met prior to releasing results
• Maintain laboratory quality systems, procedures, and analytical best practices
• Investigate analytical discrepancies and implement corrective actions
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory workflow, throughput, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
• Ensure proper operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and equipment
• Troubleshoot analytical instruments and coordinate repairs with vendors as needed
• Maintain laboratory inventories of reagents, consumables, and supplies
• Prepare laboratory reports, metrics, and documentation
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized laboratory operations and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures

• Previous laboratory supervisory or management experience leading technical personnel
• Strong analytical chemistry background within a production laboratory environment
• Hands-on experience with ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS instrumentation, including basic troubleshooting and maintenance
• Experience with laboratory sample preparation techniques, including crushing, milling, blending, drying, and homogenization
• Strong understanding of laboratory quality systems and analytical best practices
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Willingness to work alongside laboratory personnel and assist with bench activities as needed
• Experience with LECO instrumentation is preferred
• Experience with in precious metals, catalyst recycling, metallurgical processing, mining, refining, environmental testing, or related industries is highly preferred
• Experience with LIMS and Microsoft Office applications is preferred
• Ability to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work safely in an industrial laboratory environment and wear required PPE

5+ years of laboratory experience within analytical chemistry, metallurgical processing, mining, recycling, precious metals, environmental testing, or related industries

3+ years of supervisory or management experience leading laboratory personnel

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a related scientific discipline preferred