Job Description

State Director (NY) - Cannabis Laboratory Testing

A provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services needs an experienced laboratory director to oversee, manage, and grow its cannabis testing service line in New York State.

While this position requires a background in analytical laboratory testing and laboratory performance oversight, it is a senior role with daily responsibilities skewed towards developing strong market relationships and effective liaising at the state regulatory level.  This is a unique opportunity in the cannabis laboratory testing space to help an established and stable laboratory testing company open and lead one of the largest predicted cannabis markets in the US. 

Position Overview:

• Manages the overall activities of Laboratory staff to ensure the reliability, timeliness, and accuracy of testing results.
• Responsible for client satisfaction and retention and partners with Business Development to win new business.
• Responsible for overall strategic development of lab operations, managing capabilities, resource investments, competitive performance, and client focus to achieve P&L objectives.
• The Director will ensure the company maintains compliance with all relevant regulatory and certification requirements, as appropriate.
• The Director will collaborate with Commercial, Finance, IT, and Human Resource leadership to achieve company objectives.

Detailed Overview:

Operational Leadership

• Plan and direct all aspects of the organization's operational policies, objectives, and initiatives
• Aligns and empowers teams and individuals to innovate and execute actions to deliver on-time, accurate results.
• Prepares financial forecasts and budgets.
• Works collaboratively across the organization to articulate and construct goals and initiatives that are focused on the delivery of the key objectives for the business.
• Leads teams through times of growth, change, and complexity. Cultivates a culture of continuous improvement.
• Implement and monitor operational metrics (KPI’s), to continuously drive improvement in quality, operational efficiency, and financial performance.
• Models and inspires accountability to the vision, values, and goals of the company. Promote the highest standards for scientific integrity, quality, operational and service excellence, and fiscal responsibility.
• Contributes to a diverse, inclusive, and effective work culture through active talent identification, engagement, and development.
• Interacts with clients and projects requiring multiple resources and effectively facilitates inter-company and interdepartmental initiatives and interactions to best meet the needs of the client/project
• Effectively manages the staff's performance, 1:1 meetings, evaluations, and training
• Ensures appropriate equipment and technical resources are provided and maintained
• Collaborates with colleagues to maintain and improve Management systems

Business & Financial Leadership

• Evolves systems, processes, structures that deliver optimum laboratory and business performance and creates a differentiating value proposition for clients
• Informs on internal or external circumstances that create business risks or opportunities. Guides the organization to proactively analyze and take appropriate actions that protect, sustain, and expand the business. 
• Establishes and analyzes appropriate metrics and performance indicators to ensure key business decisions are data-supported and ultimately indicated to be effective and impactful as intended.
• Delivers organic business growth as measured by revenue and market share increases.
• Develops and maintains compliance to annual budget and revenue targets.
• Manages capital spend to support current laboratory operations and to progress towards long-term strategy fulfillment.

Customer & Market Leadership

• Engages clients and potential clients to understand customer and market needs and develop corresponding solutions. Promotes the continued development of new, market-relevant scientific capabilities and service innovations that meet or exceed client requirements.
• Builds trusted client relationships through reliability in the science and service given. Ensures that the organization is responsiveness to client needs and is consistent in meeting performance commitments.

Technical Leadership

• Ensures the proper execution of Quality programs, ISO 17025 requirements, Regulatory requirements, and Client audits
• Is knowledgeable in current and trending topics of relevance to testing provided; especially as it relates to testing needs or technical challenges, regulatory issues, industry headwinds, and business opportunities
• Monitors scientific and technological advancements

Position Requirements:

• A BS or MS in Microbiology or Chemistry with a minimum of 10 years operational leadership is required. A PhD or additional MBA or business degree is preferred.
• Direct experience in laboratory testing services business with knowledge of Food, Supplements, or Cannabis preferred.
• Participation in state government cannabis workgroups or committees to craft industry rules and provide feedback to legislators.
• Previous work experience in a GLP/ISO environment is required.
• Solid operational knowledge of testing laboratories, and a strong understanding of financial and managerial reporting
• Extensive people management experience.
• Strong customer focus and a track record of delivering best in class service levels.
• Experience working in developing a lean, highly collaborative team environment.
• Effective interpersonal skills with strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong quantitative skills, proven attention to detail with effective organizational skills.
• Proven ability to develop, adapt, and validate testing methods.
• Proven expertise in relevant technology.
• Proven problem solving, trouble shooting and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent computer skills required – Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint; knowledge of LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) desirable
• P/L Management Skills