QC Laboratory Lead

QC Laboratory Lead

Position Summary

We are seeking a QC Laboratory Lead to provide front-line leadership within a GMP-regulated Quality Control laboratory. This role is ideal for an experienced QC professional who enjoys balancing operational leadership with hands-on laboratory support. The QC Laboratory Lead will oversee daily testing operations, coordinate laboratory schedules and priorities, provide technical guidance, and ensure testing activities are completed safely, accurately, and on time. Acting as the primary point of contact for day-to-day laboratory operations, this individual will play a critical role in supporting manufacturing timelines, product release activities, and overall laboratory performance. This position is approximately 80% operational leadership and coordination and 20% hands-on laboratory support .

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations & Leadership

- Lead day-to-day operations within a GMP Quality Control laboratory.
- Develop, manage, and optimize testing schedules to support manufacturing and product release timelines.
- Coordinate daily testing priorities across QC Analysts and Chemists.
- Monitor workflow, resource allocation, and schedule adherence to ensure on-time execution.
- Serve as the primary operational resource for frontline laboratory personnel.
- Promote accountability, responsiveness, and operational excellence across the team.
- Coach and mentor analysts while fostering a collaborative and high-performing laboratory environment.
- Approve timecards and assist with staffing and scheduling activities.

Technical Oversight

- Review analytical data and laboratory documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
- Provide troubleshooting support for analytical methods and testing activities.
- Support investigations, deviations, and laboratory issue resolution.
- Partner with external contract testing laboratories to ensure timely execution and data delivery.
- Assist with analytical method validation and implementation activities.
- Provide technical guidance related to HPLC and other analytical methodologies.

Quality & Compliance

- Ensure compliance with cGMP regulations, SOPs, data integrity requirements, and quality systems.
- Support product release activities through data review and documentation oversight.
- Collaborate with QA, Manufacturing, and cross-functional teams to meet business objectives.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives and laboratory efficiency programs, including Lean, 5S, and Kanban principles.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
- 4+ years of experience in a GMP-regulated Quality Control laboratory.
- Demonstrated experience supporting analytical testing, investigations, documentation review, and product release activities.
- At least 1 year of leadership, team lead, or technical leadership experience.
- Hands-on experience with HPLC in a regulated laboratory environment.
- Strong understanding of cGMP regulations, quality systems, and data integrity principles.
- Ability to influence and lead teams without direct reporting authority.
- Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience mentoring or developing laboratory personnel.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience within pharmaceutical, biotech, peptide, or biologics manufacturing environments.
- Working knowledge of: Mass Spectrometry
- Gas Chromatography (GC)
- Moisture Analysis

- Experience supporting analytical method validation activities.
- Experience conducting laboratory investigations and technical troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with outsourced or contract testing laboratory management.
- Exposure to Lean manufacturing, 5S, Kanban, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience working with peptide products or peptide analytical methods.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a strong operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced QC environment. Beyond technical expertise, we are seeking someone who can:

- Drive accountability and execution across a laboratory team.
- Effectively manage competing priorities and changing business demands.
- Make sound decisions in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Build credibility with technical staff through both leadership and laboratory expertise.
- Balance strategic thinking with a willingness to remain hands-on when needed.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The QC Laboratory Lead will work closely with Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and site leadership teams to ensure testing activities support production and product release objectives. The schedule is primarily first shift, with occasional overtime or weekend support as business needs require.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to take on a highly visible leadership role within a growing QC organization, helping drive laboratory performance, mentor scientific talent, and directly support the delivery of life-changing therapies to patients.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $40.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of San Diego, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 21, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.