Production Lab Manager

Job Description

Autumn Harp, Inc. is a private-label, custom manufacturer of cosmetics and personal care products. The company’s state of the art facility provides premium service and creative solutions to product development and manufacturing of skincare, color cosmetics and lip care products, in service to the personal care industry. Our OTC facility provides support to clients who range from major global corporations to independent brands. Autumn Harp fosters a diverse company culture and celebrates the uniqueness of our employees and are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment. Autumn Harp is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We are seeking a Production Lab Manager to join our talented and diverse Quality Team in an environment with a strong commitment to internal and external customer service. Reporting to the Vice President, Technical, the Lab Production Manager will be responsible for overseeing the start-up and operations of a newly established industrial microbiology and analytical lab. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in decision-making processes related to equipment selection, installation and validation, workflow design and optimization, while ensuring that all products meet the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong entrepreneurial attitude and an initiative-taking work ethic. The individual will be instrumental in ensuring the efficient functioning of the lab, adherence to industry and regulatory standards, and the timely delivery of high-quality results to support Production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and aseptic techniques in the laboratory. Maintain a safe working environment for all lab personnel.
• Conduct sample preparation and product testing as required to support Production OSCOT.
• Supervise and mentor lab staff, providing guidance and support in their day-to-day activities. Facilitate training programs for lab personnel on equipment usage and aseptic techniques. Foster a collaborative and productive work environment among team members.
• Evaluate, select, procure, install, and validate relevant lab equipment.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting activities.
• Develop and implement efficient and compliant analytical and microbiological testing processes, protocols, and validations.
• Streamline workflows to maximize efficiency and productivity and minimize turnaround times while continuously assessing laboratory procedures for accuracy, reliability, and efficiency.
• Assist in achieving ISO 17025 accreditation and continuously monitor industry standards and regulations to ensure compliance.
• Manage the Production laboratory budget and resources.
• Analyze experimental data and results, preparing comprehensive reports for internal and external stakeholders. Interpret analytical and microbiological findings, providing insights and recommendations based on the results.
• Consult as needed with other departments, such as Production, Quality, R&D, Customer Service and/or Product Safety.
  
  

Required Skills and Experience:

• PhD preferred, bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry or related field with appropriate experience accepted
• Have a proven track record with outstanding leadership skills and professionalism
• 5+ years of experience in a microbiology laboratory that conducts traditional microbiological testing, preferably in the consumer goods, food and beverage, or pharmaceutical industry
• In-depth knowledge of and experience using aseptic techniques in a traditional microbiological laboratory (e.g., culture media preparation, plating/inoculation, incubation, enumeration, and identification.)
• Familiarity with Biosafety levels, including demonstrating proficiency in standard microbiological practices and techniques for working with agents requiring BSL-2 containment.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities, with a focus on fostering a positive work environment.
• Experience with or willingness to learn how to operate analytical equipment such as HPLC, GC-FID, ICP-OES, and FT-IR.
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality requirements for laboratories in the OTC and personal care fields.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, for effective collaboration with team members and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, and/or ERP software systems as well as all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Detail-oriented and possess the ability to multi-task

Job Description

Autumn Harp, Inc. is a private-label, custom manufacturer of cosmetics and personal care products. The company’s state of the art facility provides premium service and creative solutions to product development and manufacturing of skincare, color cosmetics and lip care products, in service to the personal care industry. Our OTC facility provides support to clients who range from major global corporations to independent brands. Autumn Harp fosters a diverse company culture and celebrates the uniqueness of our employees and are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment. Autumn Harp is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We are seeking a Production Lab Manager to join our talented and diverse Quality Team in an environment with a strong commitment to internal and external customer service. Reporting to the Vice President, Technical, the Lab Production Manager will be responsible for overseeing the start-up and operations of a newly established industrial microbiology and analytical lab. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in decision-making processes related to equipment selection, installation and validation, workflow design and optimization, while ensuring that all products meet the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong entrepreneurial attitude and an initiative-taking work ethic. The individual will be instrumental in ensuring the efficient functioning of the lab, adherence to industry and regulatory standards, and the timely delivery of high-quality results to support Production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and aseptic techniques in the laboratory. Maintain a safe working environment for all lab personnel.
• Conduct sample preparation and product testing as required to support Production OSCOT.
• Supervise and mentor lab staff, providing guidance and support in their day-to-day activities. Facilitate training programs for lab personnel on equipment usage and aseptic techniques. Foster a collaborative and productive work environment among team members.
• Evaluate, select, procure, install, and validate relevant lab equipment.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting activities.
• Develop and implement efficient and compliant analytical and microbiological testing processes, protocols, and validations.
• Streamline workflows to maximize efficiency and productivity and minimize turnaround times while continuously assessing laboratory procedures for accuracy, reliability, and efficiency.
• Assist in achieving ISO 17025 accreditation and continuously monitor industry standards and regulations to ensure compliance.
• Manage the Production laboratory budget and resources.
• Analyze experimental data and results, preparing comprehensive reports for internal and external stakeholders. Interpret analytical and microbiological findings, providing insights and recommendations based on the results.
• Consult as needed with other departments, such as Production, Quality, R&D, Customer Service and/or Product Safety.
  
  

Required Skills and Experience:

• PhD preferred, bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry or related field with appropriate experience accepted
• Have a proven track record with outstanding leadership skills and professionalism
• 5+ years of experience in a microbiology laboratory that conducts traditional microbiological testing, preferably in the consumer goods, food and beverage, or pharmaceutical industry
• In-depth knowledge of and experience using aseptic techniques in a traditional microbiological laboratory (e.g., culture media preparation, plating/inoculation, incubation, enumeration, and identification.)
• Familiarity with Biosafety levels, including demonstrating proficiency in standard microbiological practices and techniques for working with agents requiring BSL-2 containment.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities, with a focus on fostering a positive work environment.
• Experience with or willingness to learn how to operate analytical equipment such as HPLC, GC-FID, ICP-OES, and FT-IR.
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality requirements for laboratories in the OTC and personal care fields.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, for effective collaboration with team members and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, and/or ERP software systems as well as all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Detail-oriented and possess the ability to multi-task