Onterris

QA Manager - Laboratories

Onterris Durham, North Carolina, United States · $75K–$105K/yr

Environmental Services · 1,001-5,000 employees

Yesterday
qa Senior (5-10 yrs) Full-time United States
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About the role

The QA Manager is responsible for overseeing the laboratory's Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This role involves leading the quality assurance team, managing internal and external audits, and collaborating with operations to maintain high-quality standards.

What they look for

Quality Management System Laboratory Compliance Root Cause Analysis Environmental Testing TNI Standards Data Integrity Leadership Method Validation LIMS Statistical Control Risk-based Approaches Internal Auditing Regulatory Compliance Staff Mentoring Corrective Action Planning Standard Operating Procedures

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or environmental science and possess at least five years of relevant QA/QC experience in an accredited environmental laboratory. A minimum of two years in a leadership role and deep expertise in environmental testing methods and regulatory standards are required.

Full description

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.

“For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.

When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.

Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life 

As a QA Manager 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 QA Manager also plans and leads initiatives to drive continuous improvement of laboratory processes.

The compensation range for this role is $75,000.00 to $105,000.00, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.   

Schedule: Monday - Friday

To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities:  

As the focal point for all quality initiatives, the QA Manager 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 high-quality standards and operational efficiency. A deep understanding of safety and environmental laboratory practices and protocols is essential. The Manager 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 cross-functional change initiatives to optimize processes.
  • 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, monitoring regulatory updates, and maintaining relationships with accrediting bodies while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., TNI).
  • Administration of the proficiency testing program, evaluating results, and collaborating with operations to develop corrective actions for any failures identified.
  • Overseeing the laboratory’s QA/QC and data integrity improvement activities. Ensuring standard operating procedures are accurate, well-organized, technically sound, aligned with operational goals, and compliant with applicable standards.
  • Overseeing personnel training records (e.g., demonstration of capability), ensuring completion, documentation, and evaluation for conformance to applicable requirements.
  • Planning, conducting, and documenting internal audits and data assessments. Scheduling and hosting external audits by third-party assessors, clients, and accrediting body representatives. Addressing nonconformances and deficiencies, providing actionable insights to laboratory leadership while planning, implementing, and addressing corrective actions.
  • Managing corrective and preventative actions by utilizing root cause analysis tools to document, resolve, and monitor outcomes effectively to prevent reoccurrence.
  • Collaborating with the operations team to evaluate and implement efficiency, accuracy, and safety improvements.
  • Leading the development and execution of operational goals, efficiency plans, and enhancing the QA program and the QA Manual by integrating best practices such as statistical control and risk-based approaches.
  • Developing and delivering QA/QC training to engage staff and promote compliance with ethical standards.
  • Documenting validations of new test and measurement services.
  • Developing and monitoring QA performance indicators, reporting findings to management, and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Completing standard reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with health and safety plans to promote and maintain a secure working environment.

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 problem-solving 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 

These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.  

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field
  • A minimum of five (5) years of relevant QA/QC experience in an accredited environmental laboratory, with a minimum 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.
  • Technical expertise in environmental testing methods, including method validation and data interpretation.
  • Proficient in root cause analysis, statistical tools, and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) , with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Extensive working knowledge of industry regulations including USEPA, TNI 2016 Standard, 40CFR, and other regulated environments (e.g., DoD/DOE).
  • Proven leadership skills with experience mentoring 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).
  • Experience with LIMS, experience with quality management software is a plus

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The physical and environmental requirements below reflect what’s typically needed to perform the essential functions of this role safely and effectively. We may provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law, to support performance of the essential functions. 

  • May require working weekends, holidays, and after-hours based on operational demands or team scheduling.
  • Ability to lift 20-30 pounds using company-provided equipment, as necessary.
  • Ability to remain stationary for approximately 70% of the workday.
  • Frequent use of computers and other office productivity equipment is required

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its employment for individuals with disabilities. Click here to learn more.  #LI-SG1

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, click here to learn more.

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