Description
AGGREGATE & MATERIALS LABORATORY MANAGER
Department: Operations
Division: Aggregate & Materials Laboratory
Location: Desert Center, CA
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Onsite
Schedule: As assigned based on operational requirements
Pay Range: $40.00 - $55.00 / hour
Reports To
Mine Operations Manager
Position Summary
Aggregate Mineral Resource Group, LLC (AMRG) is seeking an experienced, technically skilled, and detail-oriented Aggregate & Materials Laboratory Manager to lead laboratory operations supporting aggregate production, rock and construction-material testing, product quality, process control, and operational quality assurance.
This position will oversee laboratory personnel, sampling, sample preparation, aggregate and rock testing, QA/QC, equipment calibration and maintenance, technical reporting, laboratory scheduling, and coordination with plant and operations personnel. The manager will ensure laboratory results are accurate, repeatable, timely, and aligned with applicable specifications and recognized testing standards.
The ideal candidate will bring practical experience managing an aggregate, geotechnical, construction-materials, mining, quarry, or related industrial laboratory. Strong experience with aggregate gradation, physical-property testing, ASTM/AASHTO procedures, laboratory quality systems, technician supervision, equipment calibration, and technical report review is strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day operations of the aggregate and materials laboratory, including personnel, workflow, testing schedules, sample priorities, equipment availability, and reporting deadlines.
- Supervise laboratory technicians and provide training, work assignments, technical guidance, performance feedback, and competency verification.
- Coordinate laboratory workload and staffing levels with aggregate production, quarry, plant, project, customer, and operational requirements.
- Oversee representative sampling of aggregate, rock, stockpiles, feed material, processed material, and finished products.
- Establish and maintain procedures for sample identification, labeling, tracking, storage, splitting, drying, crushing, sieving, and other applicable preparation activities.
- Perform or oversee sieve analysis and aggregate gradation testing and evaluate results against applicable product, project, customer, and plant specifications.
- Perform or oversee moisture content, moisture-density, specific gravity, absorption, unit weight, particle characteristics, and other applicable physical-property testing.
- Coordinate abrasion, durability, soundness, and other specialized aggregate testing internally or through qualified outside laboratories when required.
- Support aggregate quality control by identifying material variation, out-of-specification results, stockpile inconsistencies, production trends, and potential corrective actions.
- Work with plant, quarry, processing, and operations personnel to evaluate crusher settings, screening performance, stockpile practices, product consistency, and other factors affecting aggregate quality.
- Ensure laboratory and field testing is performed in accordance with established procedures, applicable specifications, and relevant ASTM, AASHTO, agency, or customer requirements.
- Establish and maintain laboratory QA/QC procedures, control checks, repeat-testing criteria, documentation standards, and internal audit practices.
- Review laboratory data, test results, material certifications, and technical reports for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance before release.
- Investigate abnormal, inconsistent, or out-of-specification results and coordinate resampling, retesting, process review, or corrective action as appropriate.
- Oversee operation, calibration, verification, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair coordination for sieves, balances, scales, ovens, moisture analyzers, crushers, splitters, shakers, and other laboratory equipment.
- Maintain calibration records, equipment logs, sample records, testing documentation, QA/QC records, certifications, and laboratory reports in an organized and traceable manner.
- Generate daily, weekly, monthly, and project-specific laboratory reports for operations and management and communicate material-quality trends or concerns promptly.
- Coordinate third-party laboratories, inspectors, customers, agencies, consultants, and testing providers when outside verification or specialized testing is required.
- Develop and maintain laboratory SOPs, training materials, testing procedures, quality-control programs, and continuity plans.
- Support laboratory inspections, audits, certifications, or accreditation activities when applicable.
- Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and compliant laboratory environment and enforce applicable MSHA, OSHA, environmental, equipment-safety, sample-handling, and company requirements.
Requirements
Qualifications/Knowledge/Critical Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Geology, Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Construction Materials, or a related technical field; equivalent directly relevant laboratory experience may be considered.
- Five or more years of progressive aggregate, geotechnical, construction-materials, mining, quarry, materials-testing, or related laboratory experience.
- Demonstrated experience supervising or managing laboratory technicians, testing workflow, schedules, equipment, QA/QC, or technical operations.
- Strong knowledge of aggregate sampling, sieve analysis, gradation, moisture and density testing, physical-property testing, laboratory quality control, and technical documentation.
- Working knowledge of ASTM and AASHTO testing procedures applicable to aggregate and materials testing.
- Ability to review and interpret test results, specifications, quality-control data, and technical reports and communicate findings to operations and management.
- Experience with laboratory equipment calibration, preventative maintenance, documentation, and troubleshooting.
- Strong leadership, organization, communication, scheduling, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Preferred
- Experience managing or supervising an aggregate, quarry, geotechnical, construction-materials, mining, or industrial testing laboratory.
- Experience with aggregate gradation, moisture-density, specific gravity and absorption, abrasion, durability, soundness, or related physical-property testing.
- Experience with laboratory accreditation, internal audits, equipment calibration programs, and quality-management systems.
- Experience developing laboratory SOPs, technician training programs, testing procedures, and QA/QC programs.
- Experience supporting aggregate production, crushing, screening, stockpile management, or plant quality-control operations.
- Relevant ACI, AASHTO, ASTM, state DOT, aggregate, materials-testing, or laboratory certifications are preferred.
- MSHA Part 48 certification or willingness to obtain upon hire.
Physical Demands/Environmental Factors
- Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and movement throughout laboratory and industrial work areas.
- Ability to safely handle laboratory samples and materials weighing up to 60 pounds with appropriate assistance or equipment when required.
- Exposure may include dust, vibration, heat, noise, chemicals, reagents, and industrial processing environments.
- Required PPE may include gloves, safety glasses or goggles, face protection, respirators where applicable, hard hats, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots.
Work Environment / Position Structure
- Full-time, onsite position supporting AMRG laboratory and operational activities in Desert Center, California.
- Work may occur within laboratory, plant, mine, processing, aggregate, stockpile, and other industrial environments.
- Regular attendance and availability during established laboratory and operational hours are essential.
- Occasional work outside normal hours may be required to support testing priorities, production needs, equipment issues, or time-sensitive laboratory work.
Compensation
The Aggregate & Materials Laboratory Manager position offers an anticipated hourly rate of $40.00 to $55.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant laboratory-management experience, technical expertise, education, certifications, leadership capabilities, and other lawful job-related considerations.
In addition, the company provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, paid time off, holiday pay, and life insurance coverage, subject to applicable plan terms.
PLEASE NOTE: This job description is not exhaustive and is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.
Ecology Auto Parts Inc. is committed to providing a workplace and culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. Should you have a disability or specific needs requiring accommodation, please inform us.
Thank you for your interest in opportunities with Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. We appreciate the enthusiasm and professionalism demonstrated by individuals seeking to join our team.
Please be advised that Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. does not engage with or entertain solicitations from third-party recruiting firms for our hiring needs. We have a dedicated internal recruitment team managing our talent acquisition process. We kindly request that third-party recruitment firms refrain from submitting candidates for our open positions. Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. will not consider or entertain candidates represented by headhunter agencies for our current requisitions. Our commitment to fair and equitable hiring practices includes working directly with candidates who apply through our official channels. We believe in fostering a transparent and direct relationship with potential team members.
Acknowledgement
Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.
Candidate/Employee Name (Print): ________________________________________________________
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