Lab Manager - Atlanta

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Job Description

Exceptional Leadership Opportunity in Food & Beverage Testing! Apex is partnering with a global powerhouse in the Food & Beverage testing industry to fill a pivotal Lab Manager role. This is a direct-hire opportunity with a company known for innovation, quality, and impact.

Job #: 2084194

The Lab Manager leads a dynamic team of 40 professionals—including 10 direct reports—at a high-performing site. Your leadership will drive operational excellence and advance cutting-edge laboratory practices.

• Competitive compensation and career growth
• Relocation support may be available for the right candidate
• Local applicants preferred for immediate placement

This is more than a job—it's a chance to make a global impact through science, leadership, and collaboration.

The Lab Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of leading a microbiological and/or chemical laboratory within a single site, ensuring accuracy, compliance and quality of testing to the local customer base. Accountable for all quality, customer, people, financial processes and workflow related activities in the lab. The Lab Manager operates with a strong general manager mindset, balancing scientific rigor with business acumen.

They are expected to lead with an entrepreneurial spirit, taking full ownership of site performance, including P&L management, team development, resource optimization, customer engagement, quality and safety, innovation and continuous improvement. This leader will uphold our purpose – so the world can trust in what it consumes by fostering a culture aligned to our mission and values.

• Foster a high performing laboratory environment.
• Lead laboratory operations to drive high quality, efficient testing with consistent turnaround times, guided by a balanced operational scorecard.
• Conduct daily huddles with operations and supervisors to ensure daily priorities and resources are properly utilized.
• Maintain technical competence to ensure knowledge and standards are up to date.

• Maintain ISO 17025 compliance by aligning with the Company’s Corporate Quality Management System.
• Prepare for external audits; ensure staff readiness to brief designated parts for auditors and participate in audits to identify improvement opportunities.
• Maintain a clean, well-organized, sanitary laboratory environment; coordinate with facilities and maintenance as required.
• Promote a culture of safety and ensure the lab working environment meets safety standards.
• Monitor lab equipment for functionality and proactive maintenance; coordinate replacements when needed.

• Represent the Company professionally to build trust, retention, and growth with customers.
• Understand customer needs and respond timely and accurately to inquiries or concerns.
• Communicate with clients on laboratory capabilities, results, pricing, and other relevant topics to foster transparency and collaboration.
• Meet established turnaround goals for customers and elevate the customer experience.

• Anticipate staffing needs and design schedules to match volume patterns across shifts.
• Enable strong labor productivity according to KPIs.
• Recruit, interview, select talent; lead onboarding; train and enable employees to grow.
• Prioritize talent retention and create a culture of engagement and growth; monitor turnover and cross-train for flexibility.
• Coach supervisors to drive accountability and ensure proper documentation for actions and performance.
• Hold supervisors accountable for hiring, coaching, training, feedback, and employee relations; conduct performance reviews that cover technical and behavioral aspects.

• Manage the laboratory’s financial performance and align plans with budget expectations.
• Identify opportunities to drive profitability by optimizing labor, inventory, and couriers.
• Manage outside vendors to minimize waste and ensure high standards.

• Contribute to cross-site best practice sharing and foster continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with other laboratories for overflow testing,…