General Manager (Analytical Chemistry)

Overview

Element has an opportunity for a General Manager (Analytical Chemistry) in our Santa Fe Springs, CA laboratory. In this role, you will be responsible for driving operational excellence, fostering colleague engagement, and delighting our customers. Reporting to the Division Director, you will work closely with laboratory staff, quality teams, and support functions to ensure we deliver on customer commitments while creating a safe and efficient work environment.

This lab conducts a broad spectrum of Consumer Product Testing (stability, extractables and leachables, and biologics) including both wet and dry chemistry on products like baby formula, eye drops, etc.

In addition, this lab also conducts pharmaceutical testing on both trial and approved products.

We are looking for a strong business and commercial leader that can manage 4 Department Managers, with strong technical skills.

The pay range for this position is set between $160k-$200k Management Bonus Plan, but will vary depending on the background of the candidate.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a culture of safety first
• Responsible and accountable to drive and deliver to annual Operational Plan commitments including: revenues, profit, working capital, and operational performance
• Responsible to work with location support functions and systems including QA, Safety and Health, Sales and Strategic Accounts, Finance, Human resources, Business Improvement, and Operational Excellence
• Work with quality leaders to improve processes, compliance, and integrity of data
• Develop and execute short and long term business plans and strategies to include operational goals, equipment needs, and staffing for the location
• Capacity planning in core service areas
• Customer engagement, focusing on customer retention, conflict resolution, and growth alignment
• Drive accountability and timely completion of needed tasks to accomplish lab goals
• Provide managerial guidance to staff on reporting needs and requirements
• Prepare and submit accurate forecasts as required, maintain acceptable levels of working capital, and determine and execute on corrective actions necessary to achieve plan goals
• Provide guidance, direction, and developmental opportunities that allow staff talents to be identified and groomed
• Provide positive leadership and representation of Element to the public, customers, vendors, and to all employees through membership in professional organizations, serving on Company Task Forces, conducting employee meetings, and visiting work areas
• Ensure compliance with all Element policies including but not limited to Terms and Conditions, trade compliance, treatment of others, and the moral code of conduct
• Ensure adherence to all local, state, and federal laws pertaining to safety, environment, and corporate governance
• Fully accountable and ultimately responsible for all hired personnel dedicated to the location
• Work with assigned staff to ensure work schedules are maintained and balanced
• Maintain an environment of respect and dignity within the location covering employee interactions and problem solving while ensuring work rules are known and followed

Skills / Qualifications

• Working knowledge of laboratory safety
• A bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from an accredited 4-year college or university in chemistry or science discipline. Advanced degree preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of pharmaceutical experience, with exposure to analytical testing, stability, extractables and leachables, and biologics.
• A minimum of 10 years related experience managing an enterprise with at least 40-50 employees with 3-6 subordinate exempt level managers / supervisors over multiple shifts
• Understands that all functions within the lab fall under his/her/their direct purview
• Knowledge of FDA and additional regulations
• Technical leadership is vital to the production and operation of assigned tests and to the overall operation of the entire lab
• Must possess a strong ability to communicate (written and oral) effectively with clients and colleagues with great attention to detail and timing of results
• Ability to organize the lab as a whole in line with the strategic, operational, and technical goals of the entire company
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills to effectively establish and maintain two-way communications to understand the needs and concerns of all departments
• Ability to effectively provide managerial guidance to all staff on all functions within the lab
• Ability to deeply analyse and resolve operational, finance, and other significant business issues on a daily basis
• Proven track record of success with regard to managerial, technical, and operational competency both inside and outside of the lab