Analytical Testing: Oversee the analysis and data review of customer samples for mycotoxin and GMO detection, ensuring precision and reliability in results.Innovative Method Development: Designed and implemented a novel herbicide detection method, significantly expanding the range of analytical services offered by the company.Validation and Accreditation: Conducted comprehensive validation studies to broaden the scope of laboratory accreditation, incorporating new sample matrices and enhancing testing capabilities.Process Improvement: Spearheaded a replicate reduction process improvement, achieving a ~30% reduction in material costs per sample while maintaining high quality and accuracy.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively represent the department on an interdisciplinary team dedicated to exploring and developing future product offerings, contributing to strategic planning and innovation.

Consulting and Licensing: Collaborated with multiple St. Louis-based cannabis companies to streamline license applications, laboratory design, production planning, and product development.Budgeting and Equipment Selection: Developed detailed budgets and supply lists for laboratory buildouts, including strategic equipment selection and throughput optimization.Agile Project Management: Employed agile methodologies, such as SCRUM, to coordinate with diverse teams and meet critical application deadlines efficiently.Staff Training and Development: Delivered comprehensive training programs on good laboratory practices and safety protocols, enhancing team performance and adherence to industry standards.

Strategic Leadership: Partnered with the founding team to define and execute the company's vision and strategy, successfully managing multiple license applications for a vertically integrated cannabis operation.Laboratory Design and Equipment Sourcing: Designed and implemented the laboratory layout, including build-out requirements and strategic equipment acquisition for extraction and processing operations.Talent Acquisition and Team Development: Developed job descriptions and collaborated with HR to recruit and interview candidates, ensuring the team was well-equipped to meet operational demands.Product Development and Coordination: Led R&D initiatives for new product lines, working closely with other directors to synchronize roll-out strategies and timelines.Continuous Improvement: Drove continuous improvement initiatives across the organization, facilitating growth and operational efficiency as the company expanded.

Advanced Mycotoxin Analysis: Conducted precise mycotoxin analysis across diverse sample matrices utilizing mass spectrometry, ensuring high accuracy and reliability.High-Volume Testing: Managed high-throughput testing with stringent turnaround times, maintaining exceptional precision and consistency under pressure.Data Management and Reporting: Analyzed raw data and compiled comprehensive reports for clients, providing clear and actionable insights.Methodology Verification: Developed and executed methodology verification trials across various instruments and chemists, enhancing analytical accuracy and standardization.Global Coordination: Collaborated with international sites for process reviews, special sample handling, and alignment with company strategy, ensuring consistent global standards.Technical Supervision: Directed technicians in sample preparation workflows and troubleshooting, optimizing laboratory efficiency and resolving technical issues.

Laboratory Design and Buildout: Engineered the design and oversaw the construction of a state-of-the-art extraction laboratory, including the development of a comprehensive SOP library, employee training handbook, and compliance documentation.Operational Management: Directed day-to-day laboratory operations, including purchasing, production scheduling, and team supervision, ensuring efficient and compliant processes.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnered with teams across the country on product development, testing, and launch, contributing to successful product rollouts and innovation.Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinated with contractors, partners, and internal teams to meet tight deadlines and achieve project milestones.

Team Leadership and Production Management: Supervised a team to meet weekly production targets, leveraging extensive data collection to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.Comprehensive Process Oversight: Managed all aspects of raw material processing, extraction, post-processing, and distillation, including the isolation of hemp CBD and conducting HPLC analysis throughout each stage.Laboratory Setup and Instrumentation: Established a fully operational HPLC laboratory, including the setup of instrument methodologies and the creation of a detailed SOP library.Training and Onboarding: Created and implemented new hire training and onboarding procedures, personally conducting training to ensure team proficiency and adherence to laboratory standards.

Quality Assurance Testing: Performed rigorous quality assurance testing on incoming, in-process, and outgoing product samples to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications.Production Support: Collaborated with in-plant units to provide timely test results, facilitating the monitoring of production processes and the release of finished products.Training and Mentorship: Trained and mentored new lab analysts in both gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) operations, enhancing team proficiency and knowledge.Instrument Verification and Implementation: Participated in the verification and implementation of new instrumentation, including Agilent 1260 Infinity model HPLCs, performing statistical comparisons and analysis using t-tests. Gained experience in HPLC/MS operations.