Lab Manager

The Hemp Collect is a leading hemp CPG company specializing in high-quality hemp-derived products. Based in Canton, NC, we manufacture and distribute a full line of inhalable, edible, and topical products. We are a growing team that values quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Role We're hiring a Lab Manager to lead our laboratory team at our Canton, NC facility. You'll own product specifications, manage the lab production schedule, and execute formulation and R&D projects for vape, edible, and tincture inputs. This is a management role with hands-on technical responsibility. You'll step in to troubleshoot batches, run reactors, and resolve formulation challenges as needed, while the Lead Lab Technician oversees daily equipment operation and preventive maintenance. Your primary focus will be specifications, scheduling, product development, and building a capable, accountable lab team. This position reports to the Director of Operations, with interim reporting to the COO and a dotted-line relationship to the COO for specifications and R&D coordination. You'll execute product priorities established by the Co-CEOs and work closely with Production, Quality Control, Product Management, Inventory, and Procurement. What You'll Do Own and maintain the master specification library, ensuring active inputs and products have documented, version-controlled specifications, acceptance ranges, test methods, and release criteria Oversee formulation of vape, edible, and tincture inputs, ensuring batch accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility Propose recipe and process improvements and obtain COO approval before revising related SOPs Build and manage daily and weekly lab production schedules in Katana, ensuring formulated inputs are ready to meet inventory targets and production needs Verify batches against approved recipes and specifications before transfer from the lab; maintain accurate batch records, bills of materials, and inventory transactions Ensure batch records and stock movements are completed the same day and discrepancies are flagged within 24 hours Troubleshoot formulation and reactor issues; lead batch remediation, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions in coordination with the QC Coordinator Execute R&D priorities established by the Co-CEOs, managing bench trials, scale-up, specification development, and documentation through production readiness Assign R&D work, establish milestones, review results, and communicate scheduling trade-offs and risks Deliver at least one product to production-ready specification per quarter, with formulation documentation, a confirmed certificate of analysis (COA) testing path, and an agreed launch timeline Research product categories, competitors, formats, pricing, and supportable claims when directed Partner with the Product Manager on launches, owning formulation, specifications, and the technical accuracy of label content Coordinate with the QC Coordinator on testing, holds, COA verification, and release readiness; the QC Coordinator retains independent authority over holds and final release decisions Select and develop the Lead Lab Technician, subject to Director of Operations approval, within the first 30 days Lead, coach, and evaluate lab staff through regular check-ins, performance reviews, cross-training, and clear accountability Recommend hiring, compensation, and other personnel changes to the Director of Operations, partnering with HR as appropriate Oversee equipment readiness through the Lead Lab Technician, who manages daily reactor operation, equipment uptime, and preventive maintenance Maintain current, version-controlled SOPs and support audit readiness as the company works toward GMP Track lab performance, including specification compliance, schedule reliability, batch-record accuracy, R&D milestones, and equipment downtime Enforce safe handling of chemicals, oils, and equipment, including proper PPE and ventilation Coordinate with Production, Invent…

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