Group Leader

Group Leader

Location: Oregon

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: Approximately $79,200 annually, depending on experience (DOE)

About the Company: We are an international analytical laboratory committed to global food health and safety through the analytical testing services we provide to our clients.

Mission of the Role: The Group Leader performs an essential role by leading the laboratory testing group to provide high-quality testing services for clients through continuous sample flow while maintaining the QA/QC conditions of the department. This position ensures that testing and method development are conducted accordingly while managing procedural efficiency and effectiveness.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and supervise the daily operation of work for the laboratory testing group, ensuring punctual sample flow, quality, accuracy, consistency, and completeness of results.
• Assume technical responsibilities, including analytical duties, as necessary.
• Consult with other department supervisors to allocate workload assignments based on current personnel resources as needed.
• Counsel employees working within the department regarding challenges encountered.
• Provide performance management of department staff in accordance with company policies while supporting technical and professional growth.
• Coordinate the management of department resources in cooperation with the Laboratory Manager, including allocation of staffing and equipment and maintenance of general laboratory supplies.
• Assist the Laboratory Manager, in collaboration with other department supervisors, with the coordination of laboratory operations for the group and other department Chemists.
• Lead the research, development, and implementation of the latest technologies and methods.
• Support the Quality Management System and regulatory compliance in cooperation with the QA Manager.
• Respond to QA findings or corrective actions for activities within the department.
• Implement data validation, internal quality control, and process review steps as necessary to ensure data quality and maintenance of laboratory accreditations.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and marketing of laboratory operations through market research and participation in internal and external trainings, networking events, conferences, trade shows, and other opportunities.
• Provide technical insights to laboratory management.
• Implement and enforce safety regulations and codes.
• Work safely using appropriate safeguards and personal protective equipment to prevent injury to self or coworkers.
• Report accidents or unsafe working conditions to the safety committee or management.
• Act as a technical resource for sales and client inquiries.
• Perform and assist in training and serve as a resource and mentor to Chemist 1, 2, and 3 positions.
• Support Chemist 2 and 3 through review of data packages submitted by Chemists working within the department and other departments as needed or directed.
• Perform responsibilities and duties of Chemist 1, 2, and 3 as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manage direct-report Chemist 1, 2, and 3 positions within the department.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising employee performance and assisting in career development; addressing complaints and reporting them to the Laboratory Manager; and resolving problems.

Required Education: Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Chemistry or a related science from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Successful experience working independently and a thorough understanding of department-specific instruments with conventional, MS, MSMS, HR-MSMS Orbitrap detectors, and other new technologies, including operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Analytical method troubleshooting and development.
• Successful experience mentoring and training others, specifically experience training in extraction, analytical, and instrument methodology.
• Successful experience collaborating with different business departments.
• Connections with relevant external organizations.
• Familiarity with the laboratory business environment.
• Experience with improvement initiatives.
• Experience with learning initiatives.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High emotional intelligence.
• Good cultural awareness and ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experienced user of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.

Performance Factors:

• Quality of Work
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Knowledge and Skills
• Initiative
• Dependability
• Team Building
• Development of People
• Business Development
• Language Skills
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write Standard Operating Procedures, analytical methods, reports, business correspondence, and additional laboratory documentation.
• Mathematical Skills
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, and quadratic equations.
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to tasks such as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Reasoning Ability
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.