Lab Director

Certified Group is committed to partnering with customers to deliver innovative scientific solutions and expertise – So The World Can Trust In What It Consumes™. Our network of 30+ North American and European laboratories serves the food & beverage, dietary supplements, cosmetics, OTC, tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, and hemp industries. Our Brands Certified Group is comprised of a set of specialized brands that collectively deliver laboratory testing, regulatory consulting, and certification & audit services across highly regulated industries: Certified Laboratories – Provides comprehensive analytical and microbiological testing, primarily supporting food, beverage, cosmetics, OTC, and dietary supplement industries. Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) – A leading network of ISO-accredited laboratories across North America, focused on food safety testing, operational support, and technical services for the food industry. Labstat – A global leader in contract research and testing for nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, hemp, and next-generation products, with deep expertise in analytical chemistry and toxicology. EAS Consulting Group – A regulatory consulting firm offering expert guidance, training, and auditing support across FDA, USDA, and other regulated sectors, powered by a large network of independent advisors. FSNS Certification & Audit – Provides accredited third-party auditing and certification services, including food safety, animal welfare, and GMP programs. Job Summary: The Lab Director is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of a microbiological and/or chemical laboratory within a single site, ensuring accurate, compliant, and high-quality testing services for the local customer base. This role is accountable for all quality, customer, people, financial, workflow, and operational activities within the laboratory. The Lab Director operates with a strong general manager mindset, balancing scientific rigor with business acumen. This leader is expected to demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach by taking full ownership of site performance, including financial management, team development, customer engagement, quality and safety compliance, operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position upholds the Company’s purpose, mission, and values by fostering a culture focused on quality, accountability, collaboration, and customer partnership. Purpose: So the world can trust in what it consumes. Mission: Partner with customers to deliver innovative scientific solutions and expertise. Values: Start with the customer, commit to safety and quality, drive to deliver, act with integrity, and support the team. Responsibilities: Core Operations Foster a high-performing laboratory environment aligned with Company standards and expectations. Lead laboratory operations to ensure high-quality, efficient testing with consistent turnaround times. Utilize operational scorecards and KPIs to monitor performance and drive accountability. Conduct daily operational huddles with supervisors and team leads to align priorities and resource allocation. Maintain technical competency and ensure laboratory practices remain current with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Quality & Safety Maintain ISO/IEC 17025 compliance through adherence to the Corporate Quality Management System. Ensure laboratory readiness for internal and external audits, inspections, and accreditation activities. Prepare staff for audit participation and provide leadership throughout the audit process. Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and safe laboratory environment. Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained, calibrated, and proactively monitored for functionality and lifecycle replacement needs. Promote and reinforce all laboratory safety standards, procedures, and PPE requirements. Customer Engagement Represent the Company professionally in all customer interactions with a focus on trust, transparency, and service excellence. Proactively identify customer needs and ensure timely responses to inquiries, concerns, and service requests. <span style="font