GC Laboratory Manager

Corporate Job Title

GC Laboratory Manager

Reporting Relationship

Laboratory Manager

Position Summary

The GC Laboratory Manager is responsible for the overall management, technical operation, and performance of the gas chromatography laboratory. This position oversees laboratory personnel, petroleum product testing, GC instrumentation, quality control, safety, and compliance with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements.

The Laboratory Manager ensures that all analytical testing is performed accurately, efficiently, safely, and in accordance with applicable ASTM, API, ISO, regulatory, and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations
• Manage the daily operations of the GC laboratory supporting petroleum testing and inspection activities.
• Plan and prioritize sample testing based on customer requirements, vessel/terminal schedules, and required turnaround times.
• Ensure petroleum and petroleum-product samples are tested accurately and reported on schedule.
• Establish and maintain efficient laboratory workflows and procedures.
• Monitor laboratory productivity, turnaround time, quality, and operating costs.
• Coordinate laboratory activities with inspection, operations, and certification teams.

GC Instrumentation & Technical Oversight
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of GC instruments.
• Ensure GC systems are properly maintained, calibrated, and fit for analytical use.
• Review chromatograms, analytical data, calculations, and test results for accuracy and completeness.
• Provide technical guidance for petroleum and hydrocarbon analysis.
• Support development, validation, verification, and optimization of GC methods.
• Troubleshoot analytical issues and instrument performance problems.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and service with equipment manufacturers and qualified service providers.
• Maintain instrument maintenance, calibration, and performance records.

Personnel Management
• Supervise, train, and develop laboratory analysts and technicians.
• Assign daily testing responsibilities and establish priorities.
• Ensure personnel are trained and qualified for the analytical methods they perform.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide technical coaching.
• Maintain appropriate training and competency records.
• Promote teamwork and effective communication between laboratory and field inspection personnel.

Quality & Compliance
• Ensure laboratory testing supports accurate product certification and inspection activities.
• Review laboratory results before release when required by the quality system.
• Ensure test reports and certificates are accurate, complete, traceable, and issued within required timelines.
• Investigate questionable, abnormal, out-of-specification, or inconsistent results.
• Maintain strong analytical data integrity and document-control practices.
• Participate in internal and external audits and customer assessments.
• Support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and continuous improvement initiatives.

Safety
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures.
• Promote safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and laboratory materials.
• Conduct or support laboratory safety training.
• Identify and address potential laboratory hazards.

Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum 5 years of laboratory experience, preferably in petroleum, hydrocarbon, or fuels testing.
• Previous laboratory supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Strong hands-on experience with gas chromatography and petroleum analytical testing.
• Knowledge of chromatographic principles, sample preparation, calibration, and analytical troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of laboratory quality systems and data integrity.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Technical Experience
• Experience with some or all the following is preferred:
• GC-FID
• GC-MS
• Headspace GC
• GC-ECD
• Automated sampling systems
• Chromatography data systems
• Method development and validation
• Instrument calibration and maintenance
• OOS/OOT investigations
• Quality management systems
• ISO, EPA, ASTM, GLP, GMP, or other applicable standards.

Fitness for Duty - Physical Demands
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, and reach for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move laboratory samples, equipment, and supplies up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to operate laboratory instruments and computer equipment.
• Ability to safely handle petroleum samples, chemicals, and compressed gases while wearing required PPE.
• Ability to work in laboratory and industrial environments, including exposure to varying temperatures, noise, and odors.
• Ability to wear required PPE and safely respond to workplace emergencies.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position.

Monday - Friday. 8-hour shifts