General Manager

Position Summary: Certified Group is seeking a General Manager to lead its Personal Care & Cosmetics laboratory operations in Burbank, CA. This executive-level role carries full responsibility for site operations, financial performance, technical execution, and regulatory compliance. The General Manager will drive business performance within a GMP-regulated environment, lead a high-performing technical and operational team, and ensure exceptional client service. This role holds full P&L ownership and is accountable for operational excellence, quality systems, employee engagement, and long-term strategic growth. The ideal candidate brings strong business acumen and proven site leadership, combined with deep technical expertise in analytical chemistry—particularly near-expert knowledge of chromatographic operations. This individual must confidently guide technical decision-making, assess analytical challenges, and communicate risks, root causes, and solutions effectively.

Responsibilities: Strategic & Site Leadership Lead overall site strategy, performance, and growth initiatives Develop and execute annual operating and business plans Drive continuous improvement across operations, quality, and technical capabilities Serve as the senior escalation point for operational, technical, quality, and client issues Align site strategy with long-term growth across personal care, cosmetics, OTC, and regulated testing Integrate commercial priorities with operational execution and sound scientific judgment Financial & Business Performance Own full site P&L, including revenue growth, margins, and EBITDALead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes Monitor KPIs such as utilization, turnaround time, productivity, and capacity Partner with commercial teams on client retention, pricing, and growth opportunities Support capital investments in instrumentation, automation, and infrastructure Evaluate financial performance in the context of laboratory operations and technical complexity Quality & Regulatory Oversight Ensure compliance with GMP and applicable regulatory standards Maintain inspection readiness and lead audits (regulatory and client) Champion data integrity, documentation, and quality system effectiveness Ensure methods are scientifically sound and properly validated/verified Oversee investigations (OOS/OOT, deviations, CAPA) and technical issue resolution Lead in complex technical scenarios involving chromatography, method performance, and data quality Foster a culture of compliance, accountability, and scientific rigor Operational Management Oversee laboratory functions including Chemistry, Microbiology, Stability, and Sample Management Align staffing and resources to meet operational and business needs Optimize workflows to improve efficiency, turnaround time, and quality Ensure proper equipment, methods, training, and controls are in place Drive improvements in instrument utilization, sample flow, and cross-functional coordination Support expansion of technical capabilities (e.g., LC, GC, wet chemistry) Maintain strong technical oversight of chromatography-driven operations Leadership & Talent Development Lead and develop a cross-functional leadership team Build a high-performance, accountable, and engaged culture Drive succession planning and talent development initiatives Promote safety, collaboration, and continuous learning Mentor teams in technical problem-solving, troubleshooting, and decision-making Ensure strong competency in analytical chemistry, chromatography, and GMP practices Establish high standards for analytical rigor and data-driven decisions

Qualifications: Education Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related scientific field (required) Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D.) and/or MBA (preferred) Experience 10+ years of leadership experience in a GMP-regulated laboratory environment Experience as a General Manager, Site Leader, Laboratory Director, or similar role Demonstrated P&L ownership and financial management expertise Proven experience with regulatory inspections and client audits Background in personal care, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, biotech, OTC, or contract lab services (preferred) Strong experience leading analytical chemistry operations, including chromatography and wet chemistry Deep technical expertise in chromatographic systems (HPLC, UPLC, GC, GC-MS, LC-MS, LC-MS/MS) Proven ability to troubleshoot, interpret data, and lead root cause investigations Strong foundation in classical/wet chemistry techniques