Lab Manager in Irvine, California at Eterna Management, LLC
NewJob Function: Medical
Eterna Management, LLC
Irvine, California, 92612, United States
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Job Description
##
##Join Our Team at Eterna Management, LLC!
##Eterna Management, LLC is a fast-growing third-party logistics and warehouse production company based in Santa Ana, California, proudly serving clients across a variety of industries. We're looking for driven, reliable, and detail-oriented individuals to join our team and grow with us. At Eterna, we value hard work, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence — and we're ready to invest in people who share that same drive. If you're looking for a place where your contributions matter and your career can grow, we want to hear from you!
Laboratory Manager
Department: Laboratory Operations
Reports To: Director of Operations
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Hemp-Derived Products / Production
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Date Posted: May 12, 2026
Position Overview
3PL Hemp Derived Company is seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to lead, organize,
and elevate laboratory operations across our Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Research &
Development (R&D) functions.
This role is responsible for building structure, implementing systems, managing team
performance, and driving continuous improvement in efficiency and accuracy. The ideal
candidate brings both operational leadership and a strong technical foundation—someone who
doesn't just manage processes but understands the science behind the results.
The laboratory has an established team and existing processes, with significant opportunities for
standardization and improvement. This is not a build-from-scratch role; it is about organizing,
refining, and elevating what's already in place.
This position works closely with Quality Assurance to ensure all laboratory activities align with
established quality standards and COA requirements. The Laboratory Operations Manager is
expected to take full ownership of lab operations, proactively identify issues, and implement
solutions that improve consistency, efficiency, and performance.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Workflow Management
• Oversee daily laboratory operations across COA and R&D functions
• Manage sample tracking, prioritization, and third-party laboratory coordination
• Ensure all deadlines and turnaround times are consistently met
• Prioritize workload and allocate resources to ensure critical tasks are completed
efficiently
• Identify workflow inefficiencies and implement process improvements to reduce errors
and rework
• Monitor and evaluate third-party laboratory performance, including turnaround time,
result consistency, and reliability
• Take ownership of operational issues and resolve them independently, escalating only
when necessary
• Proactively identify emerging issues and address them without requiring direction for
day-to-day problem solving
• Conduct and present analyses on new R&D projects, including summarizing findings
and providing clear operational insights
Technical & Analytical Oversight
• Review and interpret COA results with a strong understanding of underlying test
methods
• Provide insight into laboratory results, including identifying potential causes of
unexpected or inconsistent outcomes
• Evaluate whether results are impacted by formulation, raw materials, sample handling,
or laboratory variability
• Analyze relationships between raw material COAs and finished product results to identify
sources of variability
• Communicate with third-party laboratories regarding methodologies, discrepancies, and
result interpretation
• Support investigation of failed or out-of-spec (OOS) results and identify root causes
• Document investigation findings and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
Systems & Documentation
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned with quality
standards
• Implement tracking systems for samples, tasks, and team performance metrics
• Establish COA review checklists and documentation procedures
• Organize and maintain digital files, records, and laboratory documentation
• Maintain batch records, logs, and operational tracking systems with clear traceability
• Ensure all systems support efficient backtracking of samples, materials, and results
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of all laboratory data, records, and reporting
Team Leadership & Management
• Directly manage COA Manager, R&D Manager, and laboratory technicians
• Conduct weekly team meetings and track action items to completion
• Assign responsibilities, set expectations, and enforce deadlines
• Train staff on procedures, documentation standards, and workflows
• Develop team members' understanding of laboratory processes, COA interpretation, and
quality documentation
• Build accountability and a culture of ownership within the laboratory team
Reporting & Quality Alignment
• Provide structured weekly operations reports with KPI tracking
• Communicate delays, risks, and issues clearly and proactively to leadership
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance on COA standards, documentation requirements,
and discrepancy investigations
• Ensure all workflows align with quality and regulatory documentation requirements
Note: This role has authority over laboratory workflows, procedures, and operational
improvements. The Laboratory Operations Manager is expected to bring structure, set
expectations, and drive accountability across the lab.
Qualifications
Required
• Demonstrated experience in laboratory operations, including workflow coordination,
documentation systems, and process improvement with Hemp or Cannibas Derived Products.
• Strong understanding of laboratory testing methods (e.g., HPLC, GC, or similar
analytical techniques) and their impact on COA results
• Ability to interpret laboratory data and explain underlying causes of results—not just
pass/fail outcomes
• Proven experience managing people, setting expectations, and enforcing deadlines
• Strong organizational skills, systems thinking, and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills and follow-through
Preferred
• Experience working within quality systems or regulated environments
• Experience working with third-party testing laboratories and reviewing COAs
• Cannabis or hemp industry experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field (or equivalent hands-
on laboratory experience)
What Success Looks Like
• Clear SOPs and organized systems are in place and actively maintained
• Workflow efficiency has measurably improved and errors are reduced
• COA results and variability are well understood and clearly communicated
• Consistent weekly reporting provides full operational visibility to leadership
• Traceability is strong—issues can be backtracked quickly and effectively
• Teams are meeting deadlines and operating with accountability
• Laboratory operations run in a structured, predictable, and scalable manner
First 90 Days
During the first 90 days, the Laboratory Operations Manager will be expected to:
• Audit and organize existing documentation and tracking systems
• Implement weekly reporting cadence and structured team meetings
• Develop SOPs for key laboratory workflows
• Improve sample tracking and COA review processes
• Begin identifying root causes of recurring issues and implement corrective actions
• Establish clear accountability standards and deadline management practices
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to take full ownership of laboratory operations within a growing hemp-
derived products company. You will have a direct impact on product quality, operational
performance, and the overall reliability of our testing and compliance processes.
The role offers the chance to build and refine systems that support continued growth and
scalability. It is ideal for someone who thrives on improving processes, solving problems, and
understanding the “why” behind laboratory results—not just the “what.”
##Join Our Team at Eterna Management, LLC!
##Eterna Management, LLC is a fast-growing third-party logistics and warehouse production company based in Santa Ana, California, proudly serving clients across a variety of industries. We're looking for driven, reliable, and detail-oriented individuals to join our team and grow with us. At Eterna, we value hard work, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence — and we're ready to invest in people who share that same drive. If you're looking for a place where your contributions matter and your career can grow, we want to hear from you!
Laboratory Manager
Department: Laboratory Operations
Reports To: Director of Operations
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Hemp-Derived Products / Production
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Date Posted: May 12, 2026
Position Overview
3PL Hemp Derived Company is seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to lead, organize,
and elevate laboratory operations across our Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Research &
Development (R&D) functions.
This role is responsible for building structure, implementing systems, managing team
performance, and driving continuous improvement in efficiency and accuracy. The ideal
candidate brings both operational leadership and a strong technical foundation—someone who
doesn't just manage processes but understands the science behind the results.
The laboratory has an established team and existing processes, with significant opportunities for
standardization and improvement. This is not a build-from-scratch role; it is about organizing,
refining, and elevating what's already in place.
This position works closely with Quality Assurance to ensure all laboratory activities align with
established quality standards and COA requirements. The Laboratory Operations Manager is
expected to take full ownership of lab operations, proactively identify issues, and implement
solutions that improve consistency, efficiency, and performance.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Workflow Management
• Oversee daily laboratory operations across COA and R&D functions
• Manage sample tracking, prioritization, and third-party laboratory coordination
• Ensure all deadlines and turnaround times are consistently met
• Prioritize workload and allocate resources to ensure critical tasks are completed
efficiently
• Identify workflow inefficiencies and implement process improvements to reduce errors
and rework
• Monitor and evaluate third-party laboratory performance, including turnaround time,
result consistency, and reliability
• Take ownership of operational issues and resolve them independently, escalating only
when necessary
• Proactively identify emerging issues and address them without requiring direction for
day-to-day problem solving
• Conduct and present analyses on new R&D projects, including summarizing findings
and providing clear operational insights
Technical & Analytical Oversight
• Review and interpret COA results with a strong understanding of underlying test
methods
• Provide insight into laboratory results, including identifying potential causes of
unexpected or inconsistent outcomes
• Evaluate whether results are impacted by formulation, raw materials, sample handling,
or laboratory variability
• Analyze relationships between raw material COAs and finished product results to identify
sources of variability
• Communicate with third-party laboratories regarding methodologies, discrepancies, and
result interpretation
• Support investigation of failed or out-of-spec (OOS) results and identify root causes
• Document investigation findings and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
Systems & Documentation
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned with quality
standards
• Implement tracking systems for samples, tasks, and team performance metrics
• Establish COA review checklists and documentation procedures
• Organize and maintain digital files, records, and laboratory documentation
• Maintain batch records, logs, and operational tracking systems with clear traceability
• Ensure all systems support efficient backtracking of samples, materials, and results
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of all laboratory data, records, and reporting
Team Leadership & Management
• Directly manage COA Manager, R&D Manager, and laboratory technicians
• Conduct weekly team meetings and track action items to completion
• Assign responsibilities, set expectations, and enforce deadlines
• Train staff on procedures, documentation standards, and workflows
• Develop team members' understanding of laboratory processes, COA interpretation, and
quality documentation
• Build accountability and a culture of ownership within the laboratory team
Reporting & Quality Alignment
• Provide structured weekly operations reports with KPI tracking
• Communicate delays, risks, and issues clearly and proactively to leadership
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance on COA standards, documentation requirements,
and discrepancy investigations
• Ensure all workflows align with quality and regulatory documentation requirements
Note: This role has authority over laboratory workflows, procedures, and operational
improvements. The Laboratory Operations Manager is expected to bring structure, set
expectations, and drive accountability across the lab.
Qualifications
Required
• Demonstrated experience in laboratory operations, including workflow coordination,
documentation systems, and process improvement with Hemp or Cannibas Derived Products.
• Strong understanding of laboratory testing methods (e.g., HPLC, GC, or similar
analytical techniques) and their impact on COA results
• Ability to interpret laboratory data and explain underlying causes of results—not just
pass/fail outcomes
• Proven experience managing people, setting expectations, and enforcing deadlines
• Strong organizational skills, systems thinking, and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills and follow-through
Preferred
• Experience working within quality systems or regulated environments
• Experience working with third-party testing laboratories and reviewing COAs
• Cannabis or hemp industry experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field (or equivalent hands-
on laboratory experience)
What Success Looks Like
• Clear SOPs and organized systems are in place and actively maintained
• Workflow efficiency has measurably improved and errors are reduced
• COA results and variability are well understood and clearly communicated
• Consistent weekly reporting provides full operational visibility to leadership
• Traceability is strong—issues can be backtracked quickly and effectively
• Teams are meeting deadlines and operating with accountability
• Laboratory operations run in a structured, predictable, and scalable manner
First 90 Days
During the first 90 days, the Laboratory Operations Manager will be expected to:
• Audit and organize existing documentation and tracking systems
• Implement weekly reporting cadence and structured team meetings
• Develop SOPs for key laboratory workflows
• Improve sample tracking and COA review processes
• Begin identifying root causes of recurring issues and implement corrective actions
• Establish clear accountability standards and deadline management practices
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to take full ownership of laboratory operations within a growing hemp-
derived products company. You will have a direct impact on product quality, operational
performance, and the overall reliability of our testing and compliance processes.
The role offers the chance to build and refine systems that support continued growth and
scalability. It is ideal for someone who thrives on improving processes, solving problems, and
understanding the “why” behind laboratory results—not just the “what.”
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Job Location
Irvine, California, 92612, United States
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