Cannabis Laboratory Director

Job Description

Cannabis Testing Services

Job Title:               Cannabis Laboratory Director                 

Reports To:           Senior Director, Operations

Location:                Warwick. NY

*Relocation assistance will be available if appropriate

Compensation: $140,000 to $160,000 base salary + Incentive (typically 10-15% of base) + Benefits + 401K + PTO

Job Summary:

The Laboratory Director is responsible for overseeing all scientific, regulatory, quality, and operational aspects of a state-compliant cannabis testing facility. This role ensures all testing is performed according to state regulations, ISO/IEC 17025 standards, and internal SOPs. The Lab Director provides strategic leadership to ensure the lab operates efficiently, maintains accreditation, and produces accurate, timely, and defensible analytical results.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide vision, direction, and oversight to lab operations, staff, and scientific programs.
• Develop and implement lab strategies aligned with business goals.
• Foster a culture of scientific integrity, quality, safety, and compliance.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing cannabis testing.
• Serve as the Responsible Official or Scientific Director (as defined by state law, if applicable).
• Maintain all required licenses, accreditations, and documentation.

Scientific & Technical Oversight

• Oversee method development, validation, and data review for tests such as potency, microbial, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and terpenes.
• Ensure testing methods meet regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., AOAC, USP, EPA methods).
• Provide technical support and problem-solving for complex analytical challenges.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and other applicable quality management standards.
• Lead audits, proficiency testing, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Oversee corrective/preventive actions and root cause analyses.

Operations Management

• Manage lab workflow, scheduling, equipment maintenance, purchasing, and complete management of labs' P&L.
• Track and report on key metrics (e.g., turnaround time, error rates, capacity).
• Oversee LIMS utilization and data integrity practices.

People Management

• Hire, train, and mentor laboratory staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations and foster professional development.
• Ensure staff compliance with safety, SOPs, and ethical standards.

Key Competencies:

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• High attention to detail and scientific rigor.
• Problem-solving and decision-making under regulatory scrutiny.
• Ability to manage change and lead cross-functional initiatives.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Preferred M.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related scientific discipline; Required Bachelors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related scientific discipline (SEE BELOW, NY State regulatory requirements)
• 5+ years experience in analytical laboratory management, preferably in a regulated industry.
• Experience with cannabis testing or related fields (pharmaceutical, environmental, food testing, toxicology) highly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, qPCR, and other relevant instrumentation.

Certifications & Requirements

• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and accreditation processes.
• Experience with LIMS and laboratory data systems.
• Must meet state regulatory requirements for scientific/lab directors, where applicable.
• Able to pass background checks as required by local/state cannabis regulations

PLEASE NOTE:  A technical director of a cannabis laboratory engaged in organic chemical analysis shall be an individual with:

(1) an earned doctoral or master’s degree in the chemical, environmental, physical or biological sciences, or engineering, with twenty-four (24) college semester credit hours in chemistry, or more, and one (1) or more years of experience in analysis of representative organic analytes for which the laboratory is permitted or seeking a permit

OR

(2) a bachelor's degree in the chemical, environmental, physical, or biological sciences, or engineering, with twenty-four (24) college semester credit hours, or more, in chemistry and two (2) or more years of experience in analysis of representative organic analytes for which the laboratory is permitted or seeking a permit.