Laboratory Manager

About Us
First Priority Manufacturing is a family-owned dietary supplement contract manufacturer in Ferndale, WA. We operate under FDA 21 CFR Part 111 and Part 11, and we are certified to NSF/ANSI 455-2. Our guiding principle is “Never trade your morals for your goals,” and consumer safety comes before everything else. Our in-house lab is the analytical backbone of our Quality organization. Every raw material and finished product passes through it before release.

The Role
We’re looking for a hands-on Laboratory Manager to lead our testing lab. You’ll own final COA disposition for raw materials, finished products, and recertifications. You’ll also supervise lab technicians, manage the lab budget, and keep the lab continuously inspection-ready for FDA, NSF, and customer audits. You’ll report to our Director of Quality Operations and work closely with QA, QC, Purchasing, and Production.

This is a role with real authority. Your release decisions matter, and you’ll have the room to build and improve methods, SOPs, and lab systems.

What You’ll Do

• Lead, train, and coach laboratory technicians, and own the lab’s SOP training program.
• Provide independent secondary review of COAs and make final release determinations for identity, purity, strength, and composition per 21 CFR Part 111.
• Investigate and document OOS results and partner with QA on CAPAs.
• Maintain data integrity across instrument data, LIMS, and electronic COAs per 21 CFR Part 11.
• Oversee HPLC and ICP-MS testing, and help develop and validate new analytical methods.
• Manage instrument calibration and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Manage and maintain the laboratory budget, including reagents, standards, consumables, equipment, maintenance, calibration, and third-party testing, in line with direction set by management.
• Run the stability testing program and expiration dating determinations.
• Manage vendor qualification and requalification, including COA verification, hazard analysis, and documentation review.
• Prioritize rush testing so the lab keeps pace with production and purchasing.
• Conduct semi-annual lab audits and support FDA, NSF, and customer inspections.

What You Bring

• An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on cGMP lab experience.
• At least 2–3 years of lab experience in dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturing.
• Supervisory or lead experience, which is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of 21 CFR Part 111 and familiarity with Part 11 electronic records requirements.
• Experience with HPLC, ICP-MS, or comparable instrumentation.
• Experience managing a departmental budget or controlling lab spending.
• Sharp attention to detail and confidence making well-documented release decisions independently.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Bonus Points

• Experience leading or supporting FDA, NSF, or third-party audits.
• Stability study design or expiration dating experience.
• Familiarity with NSF/ANSI 455-2.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to work with chemical and microbial materials using appropriate PPE.

Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 – 48.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person