General Manager

Certified Group is committed to partnering with customers to deliver innovative scientific solutions and expertise – So The World Can Trust In What It Consumes™. Our network of 30+ North American and European laboratories serves the food & beverage, dietary supplements, cosmetics, OTC, tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, and hemp industries.

Our Brands

Certified Group is comprised of a set of specialized brands that collectively deliver laboratory testing, regulatory consulting, and certification & audit services across highly regulated industries:

Certified Laboratories – Provides comprehensive analytical and microbiological testing, primarily supporting food, beverage, cosmetics, OTC, and dietary supplement industries.

Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) – A leading network of ISO-accredited laboratories across North America, focused on food safety testing, operational support, and technical services for the food industry.

Labstat – A global leader in contract research and testing for nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, hemp, and next-generation products, with deep expertise in analytical chemistry and toxicology.

EAS Consulting Group – A regulatory consulting firm offering expert guidance, training, and auditing support across FDA, USDA, and other regulated sectors, powered by a large network of independent advisors.

FSNS Certification & Audit – Provides accredited third-party auditing and certification services, including food safety, animal welfare, and GMP programs.

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 EBITDA

Lead 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

Core Competencies

Executive leadership and strategic thinking

Financial and operational acumen

Deep knowledge of GMP quality systems

Advanced expertise in analytical chemistry and chromatography

Strong technical judgment and problem-solving ability

Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly

Client-focused mindset

Change leadership and organizational development

Executive presence and strong communication skills

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The compensation details provided below reflect the expected pay range for this role, based on the selected compensation structure and applicable guidelines. Actual pay within this range may vary depending on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. Additional components of total rewards—such as bonuses, benefits, or incentives—may also apply where applicable.

Salary Range for Pay Transparency

$180,000 — $215,000 USD

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