Department Manager

This position supports our growing Laboratory. AEL Laboratories business hours are 8 AM – 5 PM, with operational hours to include 7 AM – 7 PM Monday through Friday. Work weeks could be 7 days a week, including holidays when needed.

________________________________________________________________________

Summary:

Responsible for maintaining performance of the department. Performa testing for assigned analysis methods in accordance with AEL SOPs and regulatory agency standards as well as client specifications. Performs method development for new analyses, promotes growth and works on special projects as they arise. Supports laboratory operations through general maintenance of laboratory equipment, instruments, and supplies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:  BS in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or equivalent

Experience: 5 or more years at AEL or in an analytical laboratory with previous supervisory experience

Basic Technical Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Must have excellent time management abilities
• Previous supervisory experience
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the timely setup of methods and samples on instruments as measured by Thruput and TAT
• Collaborates with management to develop, prepare, and implement quality and safety policies and procedures
• Implements strategic business initiatives with the objective of consistently producing accurate test results

• Conducts SOP development, review, edit and as needed
• Manages MDLs and DOCs and assures completion throughout lab as required
• Understands operation and theory of all instrumentation in lab
• Responsible for troubleshooting, performing preventive maintenance and repairs on instruments as needed
• Effectively manages staff performance, one-on-one meetings, evaluations, and training.
• Coaches and mentors’ staff and facilitates their personal and professional growth
• Performs data review in Horizon LIMS and assigns peer review groups
• Schedules department workdays and hours for all analysts to comply with operational, method, regulatory and client requirements
• Tracks supplies and places purchase orders for/with the Lab Manager
• Assists with duties to manage Health and Safety and Hazardous Waste program
• Develops methods for new analyses
• Special projects, research, method performance improvements
• Attend and provide updates for daily status meetings
• Helps in the process of hiring and training both new and existing employees
• Works with other DMs in network
• Provides timely responses to internal and external inquiries related to quality and production
• Maintains high data quality, works with QA and performs well in audits
• Establish and maintain effective communication with staff

Criteria for Consideration to Lab Manager: 

• Proficient at majority of analyses performed in lab and able to run any instrument from manual or SOP
• Significant cross training and peer review abilities
• BS Degree in Chemistry or related field
• Demonstrates abilities to lead others
• Excellent emotional intelligence and communication
• Evaluation by Corporate Group
• Positive feedback from co-workers and trainees in the department and network
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to services provided by the laboratory.
• Experience with sectional assemblies in Tier IV reporting (if applicable)
• Acceptable performance with NELAC requirements, Thruput, NCFs and PTs
• Working knowledge of operational metrics and company business objectives

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, hear and talk. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception

Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.  The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.