Laboratory Operations & Safety Manager

Description

LABORATORY OPERATIONS AND SAFETY MANAGER

Location: Tacoma, WA (Onsite)

Department: Technical Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

About The Role

APA - The Engineered Wood Association is seeking a Lab Operations and Safety Manager to lead our accredited testing laboratories on the APA Tacoma campus. This role is ideal for an experienced people manager with a strong engineering background who thrives in a laboratory environment and is passionate about operational excellence, safety leadership, and team development. This position oversees laboratory operations supporting engineered wood product testing for APA members and internal stakeholders.

The successful candidate will manage staff, drive continuous improvement, and ensure laboratory compliance with quality, safety, and accreditation requirements. Local candidates or those willing to relocate to the Tacoma, WA area are required.

• Laboratory & Operations Leadership:
  Lead and manage laboratory testing, product qualification, and research programs in support of APA members and technical teams
• Establish performance standards and continuously improve laboratory productivity and service delivery
• Manage laboratory workloads, staffing, and resource allocation to meet service levels and project timelines
• Serve as acting authority for all lab operations in the absence of the Vice President, Technical Services

• Directly manage and develop a team of technicians and support staff (13 total reports)
• Recruit, hire, train, evaluate performance, and address employee relations issues
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance team culture

• Serve as the primary safety leader for laboratory facilities
• Enforce safety policies, conduct Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), lead inspections, and ensure compliance with all safety standards
• Manage hazardous materials and ensure a workplace free of recognized and correctable hazards
• Actively participate in the APA Safety Committee
• Serve as the primary emergency contact for laboratory facilities

• Partner with technical leaders to ensure test accuracy, reliability, and compliance with standards
• Review and approve test data, reports, and publications
• Manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities
• Oversee metrology, data acquisition systems, and laboratory equipment design when applicable

• Manage laboratory assets, equipment procurement, maintenance, and replacement
• Ensure facilities and equipment are operated according to established procedures
• Act as the primary contact during laboratory emergencies

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science (Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, Structural, or related discipline)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

• 3-5+ years of people management experience in a technical, laboratory, or industrial environment
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects and competing priorities
• Prior experience in a laboratory setting is highly preferred
• Prior experience leading or managing safety programs
• Strong project management and organizational skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including presenting complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and develop teams
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Experience with LEAN, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is a plus
• Skilled with Microsoft 365 suite

• Full-time onsite role at APA's Tacoma campus
• Must be available for an emergency on-call support during weekends or evenings as needed
• Ability to work in laboratory and industrial environments, including exposure to noise, equipment, and airborne particles
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work at heights is preferred

Founded in 1922 and based in Tacoma, Washington, APA represents about 175 plywood, oriented strand board, glulam timber, wood joist, rim board, cross-laminated timber and structural composite mills throughout North America. Its primary functions are…