Lab Operations & Transformation Lead Scientist

Details for the position are as follows: • 12-month contract to start with the possibility of extension or conversion depending on performance and business needs • Rate: $66-76 an hour • Location: Richmon, VI 23230 - this will be a Hybrid role Job Description: • Seeking a Transformation Lead Scientist to lead end-to-end laboratory and process transformation across Product Integrity, Analytical Sciences, R&D, and Manufacturing Quality laboratories within a highly regulated consumer products environment. This role supports laboratories focused on tobacco, nicotine, aerosol, and next-generation product testing, ensuring analytical and quality operations are efficient, compliant, and scalable. The successful candidate will assess current capabilities across multiple sites while working alongside business-as-usual (BAU) lab operations, driving measurable improvements in throughput, data quality, and regulatory readiness. • Lead process transformation across Analytical Sciences production labs, Foundational Chemistry labs, R&D environments, and Manufacturing Quality Services labs • Map current-state capabilities while operating in parallel with business-as-usual (BAU) activities • Identify gaps, redundancies, and inefficiencies across laboratory operations and service delivery models • Evaluate workflows across multiple sites, teams, and laboratory functions • Develop and implement skills matrices to assess workforce capabilities and identify proficiency gaps • Align resources, roles, and processes to optimize efficiency and scalability across the network • Define and analyze key performance metrics, including samples processed per role, non-conformance/error rates, and time per sample • Leverage data-driven insights to drive process optimization and continuous improvement • Implement scalable solutions that enhance throughput, data quality, compliance, and overall operational performance • Design and implement systems and tools to capture, track, and report key laboratory performance metrics • Establish standardized methods for data collection, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and traceability • Enable real-time or near-real-time visibility into operational performance to support decision-making and continuous improvement Required Skills: • Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Analytical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline Minimum of 5-10 years of hands-on laboratory experience in a regulated environment (e.g., consumer products, pharmaceutical, or similar) An Associate's degree in a life science field plus 15+ years of laboratory experience • Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation (e.g., chromatography, spectroscopy, or automated lab systems) • Proven experience in process transformation and operational excellence, including assessing workflows and implementing scalable improvements • Strong data analytics capability with experience defining, tracking, and interpreting key performance metrics (e.g., throughput, error rates, cycle time) • Experience developing or leveraging systems and tools (e.g., LIMS, ELN, dashboards) to capture, manage, and visualize operational data • Effective leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and communicate insights clearly • Familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as FDA, ISO, GLP/GMP, and data integrity standards Experience with digital lab systems and tools (e.g., LIMS, ELN, data visualization platforms) By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at Privacy Policy