Manager, Immunohematology Reference Lab

Transformational Immunohematology Reference Lab Manager

Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else it's as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of the world's largest humanitarian network. Joining a team of welcoming individuals who are exceptional, yet unassuming. Diverse, yet uncompromising in unity. You grow your career within a movement that matters, where success is measured in people helped, communities made whole, and individuals equipped to never stop changing lives and situations for the better.

When you choose to be a force for good, you'll have mentors who empower your growth along a purposeful career path. You align your life's work with an ongoing mission that's bigger than all of us. As you care for others, you're cared for with competitive compensation and benefits. You join a community that respects who you are away from work as much as what you do while at work.

We are seeking a transformational Immunohematology Reference Lab (IRL) Manager to lead daily laboratory operations while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This role is critical in shaping a high-performing team environment, strengthening engagement, and ensuring excellence in patient care and service delivery.

The ideal candidate is not only technically strong but also a visible, hands-on leader who can rebuild trust, motivate teams, and elevate performance. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by shaping both the culture and operational excellence of the IRL.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage laboratory staff including, but not limited to, staff resource planning, hiring, training, coaching, evaluating, and disciplining to ensure a well-qualified team and to enhance operational success. In conjunction with the Medical Director, provide guidance to ensure appropriate patient care.
• May oversee planning process and ensure that long range goals are established for laboratory supervisory staff.
• May be responsible for managing the budgetary process and approving reagent and equipment purchases.
• Serve as a resource for supervisors for complex technical issues. Ensure IRL participation in the American Rare Donor Program and Diagnostics Manufacturing Division.
• Coordinate the installation of new or revised tests and procedures, ensuring appropriate quality control in accordance with SOPs, CFR, and OSHA regulations. Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations, AABB/ASHI standards, ARCBS directives and regional policies and procedures in all areas of responsibility, as well as initiate actions to foster a quality driven environment.
• Ensure laboratory training is completed in compliance with established guidelines.
• May perform and interpret basic and complex donor and/or patient testing procedures and complete required quality control, as appropriate to state and federal regulations.
• Recognize testing irregularities, identify the cause, determine the solution, and resolve the problem.
• May write, organize, and maintain departmental procedure manual.
• May perform manufacturing duties to include labeling and verification of special blood products utilizing procedures in adherence to good manufacturing practices (GMP).
• May be responsible for the accuracy of computer and physical blood component inventories.

The salary range for this position starts at $145,000/year. Note that American Red Cross salaries are aligned to the specific geographic location in which the work is primarily performed. Other factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your specific skills, how many years of experience you have and comparison to other employees already in this role.

This job will be posted for a minimum of five day and extended if the applicant pool needs to be expanded.

This role may be eligible for relocation assistance.

Education & Licensure: Bachelor's degree in a Biological Science or related field. Must Be CA CLS, CIS, or BB; must have the ability to obtain a CA CLS. SBB highly preferred.

Experience: Minimum 6 years of directly related laboratory experience. At least 2 years in high-complexity immunohematology testing. 35 years of leadership/management experience within an IRL or comparable hospital setting strongly preferred. Ideal candidate will have 35+ years of IRL-specific experience.

Skills & Leadership Competencies:

• Proven ability to lead through change and rebuild team culture
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills
• Demonstrated customer focus with a commitment to service excellence
• Ability to influence, engage, and align teams toward shared goals
• Effective presentation skills for diverse audiences
• Active listener who values diverse perspectives
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and remove obstacles
• Collaborative team player with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Travel: This position will be expected to travel nationally.

Benefits for you:

• Medical, Dental Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• PTO: Starting at 15 days a year; based on type of job and tenure
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays comprised of six core holidays and five floating holidays
• 401K with up to 6% match
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance
• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term
• Service Awards and recognition

The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and any other applicable state and local laws.