Prep Department Group Leader - Laboratory

Position Overview Prep Department Group Leader – Wilmington, NC lab – PFAS & Dioxin Sample Preparation. Compensation range $65,000 to $85,000 plus annual bonus. Schedule: Monday – Friday. Responsibilities Lead the PFAS & Dioxin Sample Preparation group, setting performance standards and coaching the team. Direct day‑to‑day sample preparation operations by planning workflows, setting priorities, and making scheduling decisions. Act as a working leader performing sample preparation, modeling best practices and providing real‑time guidance. Manage staffing responsibilities including hiring, training, and performance evaluation. Build a culture of ownership, investing in staff growth and holding them accountable to clear expectations. Ensure the team stays on track by following through on priorities and commitments. Manage and execute PFAS and dioxin sample preparation processes in accordance with EPA and regulatory methods. Ensure proper preparation of air, water, soil, and other matrices, maintaining protocol adherence. Troubleshoot preparation issues and non‑routine samples, coaching others through problem solving. Prepare and review standards, reagents, and spiking solutions with accuracy. Maintain accurate sample preparation records and documentation. Uphold Onterris’ Quality Assurance Program, SOPs, and regulatory requirements. Investigate and resolve non‑conformance events, identifying root causes. Author, review, and update sample preparation SOPs. Lead audit preparation and participate in internal, client, and regulatory audits. Stay current on emerging regulatory requirements and methodologies. Coordinate project scheduling and communicate with project management, QA, and analytical teams. Maintain open, responsive communication with internal and external clients. Monitor workload, staffing capacity, and efficiency metrics to manage turnaround times. Champion process improvement projects to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and throughput. Ensure availability of consumables, supplies, and critical components through forward‑looking planning. Promote safe laboratory practices, address safety incidents, and drive corrective actions. Perform other duties as assigned by the Technical or Laboratory Director. Requirements & Qualifications Minimum Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related scientific field. Minimum 3–5 years of laboratory experience; graduate‑level research experience considered. Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in a production laboratory. Strong working knowledge of organic extractions; PFAS, D/F, PCB, and PAH sample prep experience is a plus. Solid understanding of physical and chemical principles underlying published sample preparation methods. Ability to organize workflows, manage competing priorities, and allocate personnel effectively. Experience handling non‑routine samples and managing high‑volume preparation schedules. Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with Workday preferred. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in ISO 17025 or NELAP‑accredited laboratories. Familiarity with LIMS and electronic chain‑of‑custody workflows. Participation in method development, validation, or regulatory working groups. Demonstrated success in driving process improvement or lean laboratory initiatives. Work Environment & Physical Requirements Required to sit, stand, walk, lift up to 50 pounds several times a day, overhead lifting over 20 pounds, and may work shifts up to 12 hours. Work will occur primarily in an office environment, occasionally in hot and cold environments. Equal‑Opportunity Employer Statement We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its employment for individuals with disabilities. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. #J-18808-Ljbffr Montrose Environmental Group