Job Description

Job Summary

The Team Lead, Residue Chemistry provides scientific leadership and oversight for complex residue chemistry studies, ensuring compliance with study protocols, SOPs, GLP, and regulatory requirements. As the primary scientific and operational authority for Residue Chemistry, this role is accountable for study planning, execution, data integrity, and final reporting — partnering with laboratory, QA, Client Success, and Analytical Chemistry teams to deliver studies accurately, efficiently, and on schedule. The Team Lead also mentors Study Directors and laboratory staff and contributes to method development and continuous improvement within the department.

Key Responsibilities

Analytical & Technical Leadership

• Provide senior-level expertise in residue chemistry, including method evaluation, sample preparation, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
• Support method development, optimization, validation, and transfer; troubleshoot instrumentation and analytical challenges.
• Review unexpected results, deviations, and anomalous findings; evaluate emerging technologies for laboratory application.

Quality & GLP Compliance

• Maintain accountability for GLP compliance and study documentation throughout the study lifecycle.
• Partner with QA on audits, inspections, deviations, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Promote a strong culture of data integrity, scientific rigor, and regulatory compliance.

Leadership, Mentoring & Continuous Improvement

• Mentor and develop Study Directors, Scientists, and laboratory personnel; review work products and provide technical coaching.
• Support onboarding, training, competency assessment, and succession planning for technical staff.
• Identify and lead opportunities to improve study execution, workflows, data quality, and reporting processes.

Study Direction & Scientific Oversight

• Develop study plans, protocols, and amendments; establish objectives, timelines, analytical strategies, and resource requirements.
• Monitor study progress, identify risks, make scientific decisions, and escalate significant issues as needed.
• Ensure conclusions are scientifically sound and fully supported by the data.
• May serve as Principle Investigator for complex or high-profile studies, holding overall responsibility for scientific conduct, interpretation, and reporting.

Project & Client Management

• Coordinate resources and activities across analytical chemistry, sample management, data review, and QA.
• Partner with Client Success on timelines, deliverables, budgets, and client expectations; communicate scope changes or delays proactively.
• Support study estimates and technical proposals; serve as the technical subject matter expert in client and study initiation meetings.
• Develop strategic pricing that delivers on expected study profitability.
• Build and maintain strong client and cross-functional relationships, representing Residue Chemistry in discussions as assigned.

GLP Accountability

The Study Director is the central GLP accountability role defined in SOP 02.007.12 and applicable regulatory frameworks. Under EPA GLP (40 CFR Parts 160/792), FDA GLP (21 CFR Part 58), and OECD Principles of GLP, the Study Director holds full, non-delegable responsibility for study conduct, protocol integrity, raw data accuracy, QAU coordination, and GLP Compliance Statement sign-off. A Principal Investigator may act on the Study Director's behalf for specific phases only; overall accountability remains with the Study Director. Per SOP 02.007.12, Section 6.2.11, if a member of Testing Facility Management is assigned as Study Director, Testing Facility Management authority transfers to the President or VP of Operations to preserve required separation of responsibilities. This role appears on the Master Schedule for every assigned study.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of analytical and residue chemistry principles, with demonstrated experience as a Study Director or equivalent scientific project lead.
• Extensive experience in a GLP-regulated laboratory environment, including chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques (GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS).
• Strong understanding of sample preparation, extraction, cleanup, calibration, and analytical data evaluation, with proven troubleshooting ability.
• Strong scientific writing skills and proficiency with LIMS and analytical data systems.
• Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills.

Smithers offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits program designed to support employees’ health, financial security, and overall well-being. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts; wellness programs and health advocacy services; life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance; employee assistance and legal plans; pet insurance; participation in the Company’s retirement plan; and paid time off.