Laboratory Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

The Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for assisting in the direct management of all department activities. The Supervisor will work closely with the Manager of the department, to support company-wide initiative and goals by an adherence to all policies at the laboratory level and communicating, promoting, and guiding company initiatives and policies at the local level to all staff members in the assigned department. Along with providing technical supervision and direction, this individual will be responsible for contributing to the overall laboratory production, including service and customer report delivery, turn- around times, sample receipt, and process improvement.

Position Overview

• Full-Time, Nonexempt
• Irregularly scheduled hours, including overtime and weekends if necessary.
• This position is designated as essential personnel. The individual must be available to work during emergency closures, severe weather, or other disruptions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate with each department Manager and/or Director on staffing needs including training and scheduling.
• As necessary, provide feedback on staff members performance during 90-day review period as well as throughout employment.
• Serve as primary trainer for the department including assistance with maintenance of training records such as Demonstrations of Capability (DOCS) for all analysts.
• Sustain an in-depth knowledge of all procedures performed in the department and ensure these procedures comply with published methods, TNI standards, and good laboratory practices. This includes monitoring of new regulations and ensuring compliance with the current version of regulations.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Element Promium in a continuous effort to improve the efficiency of the laboratory.
• Participate as a member of the laboratory’s management team and regularly scheduled meetings.
• Provide support for internal audits as scheduled for each department. These should include the laboratory’s compliance with the reference methods, SOPs, and agency-specific requirements.
• Participate in external audits as deemed necessary by data audits, client inquiries, etc. including completing responses required by the audit report.
• Upheld and enforce Safety, Ethics, and Quality practices as dictated and directed by laboratory policy.
• Aid other members of Management in maintaining laboratory certifications.
• Review laboratory SOPs and assist with implementation of new SOPs.
• Aid in identification of systematic problems within the laboratory including documentation of incidents and corrective action, if necessary.
• Aid other members of Management with each departments order requests, ensuring sufficient inventory to support daily operations.
• Prepare and analyze environmental samples according to approved test methods and SOPs.
• Collaborate with each department Manager and/or Director during annual performance evaluations and help establish individual goals for personnel.
• Coordinate daily workflow within the department to ensure staff understand assigned duties and delegated tasks.
• Monitor employee productivity and provide constructive coaching and feedback as needed.
• Address client complaints and resolve issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Facilitate effective communication by relaying information between upper management and departmental staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of supervisory or management experience.
• Minimum 1 year NELAP laboratory experience.
• BS/BA in Chemistry, Environmental Science, or other related field, or equivalent directly related experience (two years of directly related industry experience is equivalent to one full-time year of college in related major) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with management of personnel and workflow in a laboratory setting.
• Strong industry specific computer skills including Element Premium.
• Regulatory programs such as TNI/NELAP.
• Laboratory testing techniques including environmental methodologies and QA requirements associated.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety policies.
• Possession of good organization skills; detail oriented with the ability to multi-task and have problem solving capabilities.

Physical Demands

• Vision sufficient to read and interpret chemical and reagent labels, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, laws, spreadsheets, computer screens and print outs, business correspondence, and other documents encountered in the course of work.
• Hearing sufficient to hear conversation levels in person and telephone.
• Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in front of groups, over the telephone, in meetings, and training sessions.
• Mobility sufficient to safely move in an environmental laboratory.
• Dexterity sufficient to safely operate office equipment including computers and specialized tools and equipment utilized in the course of work.
• Strength sufficient to safely lift and carry sample containers, office supplies, materials, equipment, and other related materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Endurance sufficient to stand and bend from the waist for longs periods up to 100% of an 8-hour day.

Work Environment

• Primarily in a climate-controlled office setting within the laboratory.