QA Director - Environmental Lab

The Quality Assurance Director is a pivotal leadership role in our laboratory responsible for overseeing proactively managing and continuously improving the Quality Management System. Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with standards retaining and expanding accreditations adhering to analytical methods and regulatory standards overseeing document control managing internal and external audits and improving laboratory protocols and documentation. The Director also plans and leads initiatives to drive continuous improvement of laboratory processes.

As the focal point for all quality initiatives the Director establishes and upholds quality standards while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Operating independently of production operations and financial responsibilities this role focuses on maintaining highquality standards and operational efficiency. A deep understanding of safety and environmental laboratory practices and protocols is essential. The Director leads the quality assurance team equipping them to perform effectively and aligned with organizational goals.

The Director is responsible for:

• Leading the quality assurance team by fostering a culture of responsiveness leadership and continuous improvement. Mentoring and guiding staff to enhance performance and support their professional growth.
• Partnering with the laboratory director and operations managers to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions. Leading crossfunctional change initiatives to optimize processes.
• Dedication to upholding the highest standards of ethics integrity and professionalism ensuring confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive company personnel and client information.
• Strategically managing laboratory accreditations monitor regulatory updates and maintain relationship with accrediting bodies while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards (e.g. TNI).
• Supervising proficiency testing evaluating results and developing corrective actions for any identified failures. Collaborating with laboratory operations to determine cause for failures and resolving nonconformances promptly.
• Overseeing the laboratorys QA/QC and data integrity improvement activities. Ensuring standard operating procedures are accurate wellorganized technically sound aligned with operational goals and compliant with applicable guidelines.
• Overseeing personnel training records (e.g. demonstration of capability) ensuring completion documentation evaluation for improvements while meeting accreditation requirements.
• Managing nonconformances corrective actions and preventative actions by utilizing root cause analysis tools to document resolve monitor outcomes effectively to prevent reoccurrences.
• Collaborating with the laboratory team to evaluate and implement efficiency accuracy and safety improvements.
• Leading the development and of operational goals efficiency plans and enhancing the QA program and the QA Manual by integrating best practices such as statistical control and riskbased approaches.
• Developing and delivering QA/QC training to engage staff and promote compliance with ethical standards.
• Documenting validations of new test and measurement services.
• Planning conducting and documenting internal audits data assessments and external audits with thirdparty assessors clients and accrediting bodies. Addressing deficiencies and providing actionable insights to laboratory leadership while planning implementing and addressing corrective actions. All findings must be addressed to promptly respond to assessors.
• Developing and monitoring QA performance indicators reporting findings to management and identifying improvement areas.
• Completing standard reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with health and safety plans to promote and maintain a secure working environment.
• Taking on additional responsibilities as needed to support QA department and laboratory success.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership skills focused on developing and empowering team members to take ownership of their roles and drive meaningful change.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships with operational leaders promoting open communication and cooperation.
• Proactive problemsolving abilities to identify operational inefficiencies and bottlenecks propose and implement solutions take decisive actions to drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication skills capable of presenting complex information clearly and facilitating productive discussions.
• Expertise in root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
• Professional mindset emphasizing collaboration integrity and safety.

YOUR EXPERTISE AND SKILLS

To perform this job successfully individuals must be able to perform each duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required.

• Bachelors degree in chemistry biology environmental science or related field; masters degree preferred (aligning with TNI requirements).
• A minimum of five 5 years of relevant QA experience in an environmental laboratory with at least of two 2 years in a leadership role such as Group Leader Project Manager or comparable experience that provides the knowledge skills and abilities to perform the job.
• At least 2 years in a supervisory role overseeing compliance to TNI and other accrediting bodies. Proven track record of driving operational excellence and quality assurance in an environmental laboratory.
• Meets all minimum requirements of accrediting bodies.
• Technical expertise in environmental testing methods including method validation and data interpretation.
• Proficient in root cause analysis statistical tools and LIMS systems with strong analytical and problemsolving skills.
• Extensive working knowledge of industry regulations including USEPA TNI 2016 Standard 40CFR and other regulated environments (e.g. USDA Soils Permit DoD).
• Proven leadership skills with experience mentoring QA staff developing high performers and driving quality initiatives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with ability to liaise effectively with regulators clients and internal stakeholders.

Systems Knowledge

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Excel PowerPoint Word SharePoint Teams).
• Expertise with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) with a strong and understanding of the framework and functionality.

Safety/Drug Screening

• Must pass organizational background checks.
• Able to successfully pass urine hair or other types of or alcohol screening (initial and random) following our companys policy.

Soft Skills

• Leadership and mentoring abilities focusing on team development and fostering collaboration across functions to achieve shared goals.
• Strong working knowledge of scientific terminology and research concepts relevant to environmental laboratory practices.
• Effective collaborator skilled at working with laboratory team members operational leaders and stakeholders to gather interpret and consolidate data generate accurate documentation and reports and review data for compliance.
• Indepth knowledge of environmental analytical laboratory procedures with the ability to apply these practices to maintain quality and operational efficiency.
• Highly selfmotivated and capable of managing multiple responsibilities independently ensuring the successful completion of projects.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a facepaced environment.
• Strategic thinker who acts proactively anticipates challenges and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Resourceful adaptable and resilient with the ability to manage changing demands and thrive in a dynamic work environment.

Schedule and Essential Physical Functions Disclaimer

The schedule and physical functions outlined below represent essential requirements of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• May require working weekends holidays and afterhours based on operational demands or team scheduling.
• Ability to lift 2030 pounds using companyprovided equipment as necessary.
• Ability to remain stationary for approximately 70 of the workday.
• Frequent use of computers and other office productivity equipment is required.