Laboratory Director
Houston, Texas
Salary: Open depending on experience
A major laboratory operation in Houston is looking for a driven Laboratory Manager to lead one of the largest and most technically advanced facilities in the region.
This is not a maintenance hire. This role is for someone who wants to improve performance, raise standards, develop people, and drive operational excellence across a high-volume petroleum and petrochemical testing environment.
You will inherit a large-scale operation with significant scope, strong customer visibility, and the opportunity to make a genuine impact across quality, safety, efficiency, and culture.
The Opportunity
This is a leadership position for someone who thrives in fast-paced laboratory operations and enjoys building high-performing teams.
You will take ownership of laboratory performance across operations, quality, safety, instrumentation, staffing, and customer delivery, while helping shape the next phase of growth and operational improvement.
The environment suits someone who is commercially aware, highly organised, technically credible, and motivated by change.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead all day-to-day laboratory operations to ensure efficiency, accuracy, turnaround time, and customer satisfaction remain at the highest level
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across quality, workflow, safety, and operational performance
• Ensure all laboratory testing is performed in line with ASTM, UOP, IP, and relevant industry standards
• Manage, mentor, and develop laboratory chemists and technicians across the facility
• Maintain and strengthen quality systems, calibration procedures, audit readiness, and compliance documentation
• Champion laboratory safety culture, training, and compliance across the site
• Monitor laboratory profitability, operational output, and resource planning
• Support equipment investment, maintenance, and laboratory capability expansion
• Review analytical results and ensure accuracy and consistency across all reporting
• Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence
What We’re Looking For
• Previous laboratory leadership or management experience within petroleum, petrochemical, energy, fuels, or related testing environments
• Strong understanding of laboratory quality systems, safety standards, and analytical testing procedures
• Experience managing teams within a high-throughput laboratory setting
• Ability to lead change, improve performance, and drive standards
• Strong communication and leadership capability
• Commercial awareness alongside technical credibility
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related discipline preferred
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant laboratory experience
Why This Role?
• Opportunity to lead one of the largest facilities of its kind in Houston
• High level of visibility and influence within the business
• Genuine platform to implement change and improve operations
• Strong long-term growth potential
• Salary and package flexible depending on experience and background
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.