Chemistry Lab Manager

Meet Life Sciences is hiring for a Chemistry Lab Manager to support a growing laboratory team based in La Jolla, CA. This individual will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day chemistry lab operations, supporting method development and testing workflows, managing equipment and supplies, and helping build efficient, compliant laboratory processes.

This is a strong opportunity for a hands-on chemistry professional who enjoys both technical lab work and operational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations within the chemistry laboratory, ensuring work is completed accurately, efficiently, and safely.
• Manage laboratory personnel, workflows, scheduling, training, and performance expectations.
• Support the development, validation, and execution of chemistry-based testing methods.
• Ensure proper use, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, SOPs, protocols, test records, and quality-related files.
• Support compliance with applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental standards.
• Manage lab inventory, reagents, consumables, vendors, and purchasing needs.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams, leadership, clients, vendors, and external partners as needed.
• Assist with laboratory buildout, process improvement initiatives, and implementation of new testing capabilities.
• Ensure all lab activities follow proper safety procedures, including chemical hygiene and hazardous material handling.
• Prepare reports, summarize data, and communicate findings clearly to internal stakeholders.
• Support audits, inspections, and quality system improvements as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or a related scientific discipline required.
• 5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in chemistry, analytical testing, environmental testing, materials testing, or a related field.
• Prior experience managing or mentoring lab staff preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of chemistry lab instrumentation, testing methods, documentation, and safety practices.
• Experience with equipment qualification, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Familiarity with SOPs, quality systems, audits, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
• Experience building out or scaling laboratory capabilities is a plus.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with metals testing, water testing, hydrocarbon testing, environmental chemistry, industrial hygiene, or analytical method development.
• Familiarity with ICP, GC, HPLC, FTIR, TOC, wet chemistry, or related analytical techniques.
• Prior experience in a startup, growth-stage lab, CRO, environmental lab, or industrial testing environment.
• Experience supporting lab buildout, equipment selection, vendor management, and method implementation.