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

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.

General Manager