Prep Department Group Leader - Laboratory

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Salary
Range $65,000.00 - $85,000.00
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Work Schedule

Day Shifts
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Annual bonus
overtime pay
Professional development opportunities
retirement savings plan

Job Description

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company dedicated to advancing human progress while protecting the environment. Grounded in the mission "For Planet and Progress," Onterris integrates scientific innovation, engineering, and multidisciplinary expertise to address complex environmental challenges. The company partners with industries and governments worldwide to ensure the health of communities and ecosystems, guiding regulatory compliance and driving sustainable practices in air, water, and soil preservation. With a commitment to responsibility and real-world impact, Onterris fosters a collaborative culture where professionals across different fields come together to create smarter solutions with lasting benefits for the planet and society.

As a Prep Department Group Leader in Onterris's Wilmington, North Carolina laboratory, you will play a pivotal role in managing sample preparation activities focused on PFAS and dioxin analysis in a high-throughput environmental testing environment. This position requires a results-oriented leader who combines advanced technical skills with effective team management to ensure high-quality outputs that meet rigorous client and regulatory standards. You will be responsible for directing daily operations, coaching staff, and maintaining compliance with federal environmental protocols. Your leadership will cultivate a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.

The role offers a competitive salary range of $65,000 to $85,000 annually, complemented by an annual bonus based on experience, technical expertise, and geographic location. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, with potential overtime as needed. This position not only emphasizes technical excellence but also values the ability to communicate clearly across departments, manage workflows efficiently, and lead process improvement initiatives that enhance accuracy and throughput.

In this leadership capacity, you will oversee the execution of sample preparation for various environmental matrices such as air, water, and soil, strictly adhering to EPA and other regulatory method requirements. You will troubleshoot complex preparation issues, develop training protocols, and ensure impeccable documentation of all procedures. As a hands-on leader, you are expected to engage in sample preparations when necessary to model best practices and mentor your team.

Quality assurance and compliance are integral to your responsibilities. You will uphold Onterris's stringent Quality Assurance Program and Standards Operating Procedures, investigate non-conformance, lead corrective actions, and actively participate in internal and external audits. Staying informed on evolving regulatory landscapes and scientific methodologies will enable you to maintain the lab's accreditation standards and regulatory readiness.

Effective communication and project coordination are critical elements of success in this role. You will liaise regularly with project management, QA, and analytical teams to ensure smooth workflow and timely delivery of results. Monitoring staffing capacity and workload will help optimize performance and prevent bottlenecks. Moreover, you will champion a proactive approach to resource management, ensuring all consumables and critical supplies are available without interruption.

Your dedication to health and safety is crucial as you enforce adherence to Onterris's Health and Safety Plan. Promoting safe laboratory practices and addressing safety issues constructively will help maintain a secure working environment for your team.

This leadership opportunity at Onterris offers individuals with a meaningful career path to impact environmental stewardship while fostering professional growth and excellence. We welcome candidates passionate about environmental sciences, with a knack for leadership and continuous improvement, to join our movement toward sustainable progress and responsible innovation.

Job Requirements

  • minimum bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related scientific field
  • minimum of 3–5 years of laboratory experience
  • minimum 2 years of prior supervisory experience in a production laboratory environment
  • strong working knowledge of organic extractions
  • solid understanding of the physical and chemical principles underlying published sample preparation methods
  • demonstrated ability to organize workflows, manage competing priorities, and allocate personnel effectively
  • experience handling non-routine samples and managing high-volume preparation schedules
  • proficiency with google workspace and microsoft office suite
  • experience with workday preferred
  • experience in lims

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related scientific field
  • minimum of 3–5 years of laboratory experience
  • minimum 2 years of prior supervisory experience in a production laboratory environment
  • strong working knowledge of organic extractions
  • solid understanding of the physical and chemical principles underlying published sample preparation methods
  • demonstrated ability to organize workflows, manage competing priorities, and allocate personnel effectively
  • experience handling non-routine samples and managing high-volume preparation schedules
  • proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite
  • experience with Workday preferred
  • experience in LIMS

Job Duties

  • Lead the PFAS and dioxin sample preparation group, setting clear performance standards and coaching the team to deliver consistent, high-quality output that meets client and regulatory requirements
  • direct day-to-day sample preparation operations by planning workflows, setting priorities, and making confident scheduling decisions while keeping the team informed and aligned
  • act as a working leader who performs sample preparation as needed, using those moments to model best practices and develop staff skills through real-time guidance
  • manage staffing responsibilities including hiring, training, and performance evaluation
  • build a culture of ownership where team members understand what’s expected, have the support they need, and take responsibility for their results
  • follow through consistently on priorities and commitments, ensuring the team stays on track
  • manage and execute PFAS and dioxin sample preparation processes in accordance with applicable EPA and regulatory methods

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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