Job Description

Title: Cannabis and Hemp Laboratory Director

Location: Brandon, FL

(this is an on-site position, candidates needing to relocate will be considered)

Reporting to: Senior Laboratory Director & CEO

Compensation: Targeting $105,500 to $118,000 (relocation assistance available)

About us: We are a well-capitalized analytical testing lab in the cannabis industry. We strongly believe that analytical testing is one of the most important aspects of the cannabis supply chain. Laboratory testing and analytics enables the industry's growth, ensures consumer safety and creates trust in this new legal market. Our team brings together diverse backgrounds including fortune 100 companies, successful start ups and multistate cannabis operators. Our mission is to provide the highest quality, speed and world class customer service in the laboratory testing industry.

Position Summary: A well-capitalized analytical testing laboratory in the hemp and cannabis industry, is seeking a professional and experienced Laboratory Director. This position will be in Brandon, Florida. The Laboratory Director will be a key member of the management team to lead and manage the organization’s efforts to build out a growing testing laboratory and operate the laboratory daily.

What We Offer:

• Very competitive salary
• Annual bonus
• Profit sharing
• Equity based on performance
• Benefits package including health, dental and vision
• Paid time off

Responsibilities:

• Key team member of the management team assisting with certification application for the Florida Department of Health including SOPs, quality processes, methods, selecting equipment, optimizing lab layout and hiring key personnel
• Lead operational team through ISO certification and other necessary qualifications including GLP
• Ongoing responsibilities after start-up will include direct oversight of the day-to-day operations and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards within a lab
• Review and approve all reported data and QA/QC SOPs
• Develop and implement lean and six sigma laboratory procedures
• Provide extensive experience and direction with LCMS, GC-MS, HPLC and/or ICP-AES/MS, PCR, culture plate methods, traditional plating, microbiology and major equipment manufacturers
• Provides opinions, interpretations and approval when necessary, regarding the quality and meaning of analytical data contained within analytical reports provided to customers
• Provide laboratory clients with world-class customer service, takes ownership of issues and follows through to resolution
• Ensure customer results are reported quickly and accurately
• Maintain laboratory information system by identifying information needs and problems; recommending improvements; establishing priorities; testing; writing user manuals; training employees; maintaining security and confidentiality
• Track and report key laboratory and business metrics on a consistent basis and participates in management reviews
• Provide oversight and direction to direct reports including overseeing hiring, onboarding, delegating responsibilities and priority setting
• Lead and participates in training and continuous improvement projects
• Stays current with developments in the field, read technical publications and participate in educational opportunities
• Ensure a culture of safety in laboratory
• Strong communication skills, capable of communicating ideas and motivating colleagues
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications:

• Must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in an ISO, CAP, TNI, or similarly accredited laboratory environment
• Must have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science, including, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or environmental sciences (Masters or PHD preferred)
• Minimum 8 - 10 years of relevant industry and laboratory operations experience in a high production laboratory specialized in fast turnaround times – food safety, clinical, forensic, environmental and cannabis experience preferred
• Advanced knowledge of principles, terminology, practices, techniques and instrumentation commonly used in a laboratory setting.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and maintain a strong work ethic
• Must be willing to be subjected to a background check to be approved by the Florida Department of Health
• Extensive experience with HPLC, GC, ICP MS/MS, GC/MS/MS and/or LC/MS/MS instrumentation
• Experience with GLP, FDA and ISO 17025 requirements as well as auditors and inspectors
• Process, procedure and continuous improvement oriented with experience in Lean and Six Sigma
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing and challenging environment
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication and customer support skills
• Must have prior supervisory experience and strong leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems (e.g., Design of Experiments)