Laboratory Manager

Job DetailsJob Location: Scottsdale Office - Scottsdale, AZ 85255Laboratory Manager

Affiliated Dermatology | Scottsdale, AZ
Full-Time | Exempt | On-Site

About the Role

Affiliated Dermatology is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our dermatopathology laboratory. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who understands laboratory operations, enjoys developing people, and knows how to balance quality, efficiency, compliance, and patient care.

Our Laboratory Manager oversees the workflow of the lab from specimen receipt and accessioning through gross examination, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, slide distribution, storage, and disposition. Just as importantly, this person leads the team behind that work—creating structure, solving problems, improving processes, and making sure employees have the training, resources, and support they need to succeed.

Working closely with our Lab Director, pathologists, Human Resources, and executive leadership, you will play an important role in keeping laboratory operations accurate, timely, safe, efficient, compliant, and fiscally responsible.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll have ownership of both laboratory operations and people leadership, including:

Lead daily laboratory operations and coordinate workflow based on specimen volume, staffing, turnaround times, and operational priorities.
Manage, coach, and develop laboratory employees while creating a respectful, accountable, high-performing team environment.
Develop staffing schedules and ensure appropriate coverage for laboratory workload and anticipated volume.
Partner with HR on recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, performance management, employee relations, and professional development.
Oversee competency documentation, cross-training, and required employee qualifications.
Monitor laboratory quality indicators such as specimen errors, recuts, processing defects, amended reports, complaints, turnaround times, equipment downtime, and corrective actions.
Investigate laboratory incidents and workflow issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
Support the laboratory quality program and maintain inspection-ready operations for CLIA/CAP surveys, audits, or other regulatory reviews.
Oversee laboratory equipment, maintenance, supplies, reagents, inventory, safety practices, and facility needs.
Monitor budgets, labor expenses, supply costs, service agreements, send-out costs, waste, and capital needs.
Analyze laboratory metrics and use data to identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, capacity, workflow, and efficiency.
Coordinate with pathologists, clinical teams, couriers, vendors, reference laboratories, and other departments.
Step into laboratory operations and provide hands-on coverage when needed.

The position also has meaningful responsibility for quality systems, regulatory readiness, safety, equipment, inventory, budgeting, and operational reporting.QualificationsWhat We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a leader who understands that a successful laboratory requires both technical excellence and strong people leadership.

The ideal candidate brings progressive experience in a clinical or anatomic pathology laboratory and is comfortable managing a busy environment where priorities can change quickly. You should be someone who can look at a workflow, identify what isn’t working, and bring people together around a practical solution.

Preferred qualifications include:

Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science, laboratory science, biological science, chemistry, healthcare administration, or a related field.
At least 5 years of progressive clinical or anatomic pathology laboratory experience, including at least 2 years of supervisory or management responsibility.
Dermatopathology or high-volume histology experience strongly preferred.
Experience with both HRIS and LIS systems.
HT(ASCP), HTL(ASCP), PA(ASCP), MLS(ASCP), or another relevant certification preferred and potentially required depending on assigned responsibilities.
Demonstrated experience with laboratory workflow, quality systems, competency documentation, safety, corrective action, budgeting, and employee leadership.
Strong communication, organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
The ability to remain composed, organized, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

Candidates must meet applicable CLIA and state qualification requirements for any regulated technical or supervisory duties assigned to the position.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Laboratory Manager creates a lab where employees know what is expected of them, workflow moves efficiently, quality concerns are identified early, problems are addressed rather than worked around, and leadership has meaningful data to make operational decisions.

You’ll be expected to build strong relationships with your team while maintaining accountability, continuously look for ways to improve operations, and keep patient safety and specimen integrity at the center of every decision.

Schedule

This position is primarily Monday through Friday and requires regular on-site availability during core laboratory hours. Because laboratory operations don’t always follow the plan, occasional adjusted hours, evenings, or weekends may be necessary for inspections, equipment issues, staffing needs, or other urgent operational situations. Travel of up to 10% may occasionally be required.

Ready to Lead?

If you’re an experienced laboratory professional who enjoys developing teams, improving processes, and creating an environment where quality and efficiency go hand in hand, we’d love to hear from you.