WHAT DOES A LAB SUPERVISOR DO?

Published: Jan 06, 2026 - The Lab Supervisor manages daily lab operations, ensuring timely, high-quality results in compliance with protocols and safety standards. This role oversees technician workflows, performance, training, inventory planning, and documentation. The supervisor also resolves technical issues, runs team meetings, and maintains service quality for customers.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Lab Supervisor

1. Lab Supervisor Duties

  • Maintain Compliance: Maintain compliance with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Agency, NYC Fire Department, Animal Users in Teaching Laboratory regulations and guidelines.
  • Documentation Oversight: Weekly inspect and maintain documentation of all lab satellite station areas.
  • Safety Equipment: Ensure that laboratory safety equipment is in working order and personal protective equipment is available to teaching fellows, assistants, students, and visitors.
  • Instructor Training: Train and supervise graduate instructors (teaching fellows and assistants) in meeting University lab safety requirements.
  • Material Review: Review teaching material and address hazards in all teaching lab meetings.
  • Lab Supervision: Routinely supervise all teaching labs to enforce safe work practices.
  • Chemical Management: Manage chemical storage areas for PHS, PHR, Pharmaceutics, Compounding Labs, and any other labs offered by the department.
  • Waste Monitoring: Monitor daily and enforce proper hazardous waste disposal.
  • Policy Compliance: Ensure graduate instructors comply with Lab safety and policies and procedures.
  • Emergency Support: Attend to injured or ill students until emergency personnel arrive and report to the Lab Director.

2. Lab Supervisor Details

  • Lab Supervision: Supervise the daily activities of a defined laboratory unit.
  • Policy Development: Establish policies, procedures, and protocols for testing.
  • Quality Oversight: Oversee quality control testing, instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting.
  • Method Validation: Define analytic accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and reference ranges for test methods.
  • Staff Resource: Serve as a resource to laboratory staff as well as other members of the healthcare team.
  • Schedule Management: Be responsible for staffing schedules in the area of responsibility.
  • Workflow Monitoring: Monitor workflow and work volume continuously and adjust workers' job tasks to ensure daily work completion.
  • Staff Management: Conduct hiring, training, directing, development, and evaluation of staff.

3. Lab Supervisor Responsibilities

  • Task Scheduling: Schedule clinical laboratory staff tasks and activities
  • Performance Monitoring: Monitor key performance indicators to ensure laboratory team members are meeting production goals
  • Quality Monitoring: Monitor quality indicators associated with sequencing runs and work with the Technical Supervisor, Laboratory Manager, and Product Development team to troubleshoot and ensure sequencing quality
  • Staff Supervision: Supervise the work performed by laboratory staff with attention to and adherence to the laboratory’s Quality Control program and GDP
  • Training Program: Implement and maintain the appropriate training and competency program
  • Staff Training: Work to support the Laboratory Manager with the training of new clinical laboratory staff
  • Workflow Guidance: Provide workflow-related guidance to group members and communicate workflow insights to laboratory leadership
  • Work Environment: Promote a high-performance, production-minded, positive work environment
  • Goal Planning: Rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals

4. Lab Supervisor Accountabilities

  • Lab Safety: Ensures safe operation of the Quality Control Lab
  • GMP Compliance: Ensure laboratory compliance with cGMP requirements
  • Method Improvement: Works with Method Development to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and throughput of analytical testing methods
  • Result Accuracy: Ensures that reported results are accurate based on the approved methodology
  • Final Approval: Gives final approval of the final analytical results.
  • Spec Approval: Co-approval of specifications and methods for raw materials, in-process, and finished products.
  • Staff Development: Leads and continuously develops the skill set of a staff of professionals who analyze products, raw materials, and in-process mixtures in support of multiple chemical manufacturing processes, as well as special projects such as new material evaluation and R&D front runs.
  • QC Oversight: Oversees internal and external quality control activities, including analysis, instrument qualification/preventive maintenance, and training.
  • Analysis Coordination: Schedules and coordinates the routine and non-routine analysis of raw materials, in-process, and finished products according to standard operating procedures.
  • Data Interpretation: Interprets analytical data and provides an understanding of the information collected.
  • Technical Support: Provides analytical and technical support to Quality Control Chemists, R&D Chemists, Process Technology, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and Business Development.
  • FDA Compliance: Applies knowledge of FDA requirements to ensure cGMP compliance of the lab.
  • ISO Support: Supports all applicable ISO9001 requirements.

5. Lab Supervisor Functions

  • Team Development: Coach, mentor, and develop team members to meet current and future business requirements
  • Resource Planning: Plan and manage the day-to-day allocation of resources to efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively achieve on-time release of materials or finished product through laboratory testing
  • Chemical Analysis: Be responsible for accurate and efficient chemical analysis of raw materials, ingredients, finished products, and all chemistry tests in accordance with Nestlé policies, procedures, and GMPs
  • Result Compilation: Compiles and organizes testing results for the release of the finished product, and reviews for completeness and accuracy, for coordinating product release on a timely basis
  • Trend Identification: Identifies analytical trends in raw materials, ingredients, finished products, and recommends, establishes, and implements corrective action
  • Issue Resolution: Identifies and resolves technical issues through root cause analysis investigations
  • Procedure Creation: Creates and revises procedures, protocols, and process flows
  • Control Oversight: Oversees all laboratory internal control program requirements to ensure that they are being performed and documented
  • Lab Maintenance: Oversees a laboratory environment that is clean, orderly, and safe
  • Testing Coordination: Ensure all necessary actions are taken, including scheduling, analysis, or submitting for analysis via outside testing laboratory, to meet testing requirements for all programs in place
  • Test Scheduling: Schedule and complete all Proficiency and Collaborative tests
  • Audit Readiness: Ensures inspection readiness through internal laboratory audits
  • Training Delivery: Provide training to all Laboratory Team members, maintain and improve laboratory training
  • Shift Leadership: Provide a leadership role to all shifts to assist production in the identification of chemistry/analytical problems, and provide the technical leadership necessary to resolve

6. Lab Supervisor Overview

  • Standards Communication: Maintain close communication with the teams to ensure package testing is performed per required standards (ISTA 3, ISTA 6, other ASTM standards).
  • Standards Development: Identify the most suitable standards and create new standards to determine whether package performance requirements are met.
  • Package Inspection: Inspect package components and devices before and after package test, identifying differences to determine passfail condition of package andor product.
  • Test Scheduling: Schedule package tests and operate test equipment, including vibration table, swing-arm drop tester, compression tester, weight scales, photographic and video capture systems, and accelerometers.
  • Sample Fabrication: Operate the cutting table, fabricate, assemble package samples, and prepare test specimens.
  • Material Ordering: Order material to stock packaging lab stocked, and maintain lab cleanliness.
  • Specimen Management: Manage, mark, and label items promoting specimen recognition.
  • Design Collaboration: Collaborate with Packaging Engineers and Suppliers, providing design feedback and recommendations, including features, tolerances, etc.
  • Result Interpretation: Interpret inputs against testing results and communicate findings with the greater team.
  • Risk Evaluation: Participate in engineering studies and provide the risk evaluation to the design team.
  • Report Delivery: Provide reports to the engineering and core team.
  • Supplier Travel: Travel domestically to supplier sites to collaborate with staff and keep teams moving.

7. Lab Supervisor Details and Accountabilities

  • Training Compliance: Complete all required training to comply with health, safety, and environmental requirements and policies
  • Efficiency Support: Work with the quality engineers and lab technicians on maintaining and improving efficiency and documentation.
  • Focus Areas: Focus efforts in five areas, which include Safety, Customer Focus, Excellence and Continuous Improvement, and Sustainability.
  • Test Evaluation: Evaluate tests to ensure they can be executed in a safe manner
  • Lab Practices: Develop best practices in the molding lab
  • Parts Procurement: Secure the necessary parts to keep labs running
  • Contract Scheduling: Define and schedule outside service contractor needs
  • Data Quality: Check the quality of information entered into LIMS and SAP for accuracy
  • Cross Training: Develop and maintain cross-training of laboratory technicians
  • Vendor Management: Work with Purchasing to properly maintain Vendor framework agreements.
  • Agreement Updates: Update data in vendor service agreements
  • Contract Administration: Serve as contract administrator for outside laboratory contractors.
  • SAP Updates: Update material information and QC Recipe information in SAP
  • Safety Leadership: Lead the effort for a zero recordable record/safety performance of the laboratory department
  • Capacity Improvement: Identify opportunities and implement solutions that move the laboratory operations toward increased capacity and efficiency
  • Technical Input: Provide technical input on testing issues and/or process development efforts.
  • Department Communication: Improve communication between the laboratory department and all other departments at the plant

8. Lab Supervisor Tasks

  • Sample Analysis: Oversee analysis of routine samples using current methods and ensure results are accurate and efficiently reported to meet production needs.
  • Result Integrity: Ensure results are accurate, authorized, legible, and that data integrity is maintained.
  • Record Retention: Ensure records are retrievable and retained according to the appropriate retention period.
  • OOS Investigation: Recognize analytical errors, perform, and document OOS investigations.
  • Inventory Management: Maintain an accurate inventory of product retains, product stability program samples, Laboratory chemicals, standards, and solutions.
  • QC Duties: Perform QC duties according to written procedures to ensure the production processes are functioning effectively.
  • Issue Investigation: Assist with projects, investigate production issues, and customer complaints.
  • Report Creation: Create concise and accurate analytical reports.
  • Method Validation: Understand, update, verify, and validate methods according to compendial requirements (USP, EP, FCC).
  • Personnel Training: Train other personnel on methods and document proficiency.

9. Lab Supervisor Roles

  • Technician Management: Manage and mentor the Lab Technicians in completing assignments.
  • Staff Oversight: Be responsible for the hiring, performance evaluations, and training of the laboratory staff.
  • Supply Maintenance: Be responsible for maintaining adequate supplies and tools in the laboratory.
  • Housekeeping Oversight: Be responsible for the maintenance of good housekeeping practices with both technicians and engineers.
  • Procedure Maintenance: Be responsible for the maintenance of laboratory procedures and work instructions to support facility audits.
  • Safety Planning: Be responsible for establishing the Safety Plan for the lab and coordinating the communication of safety practices.
  • Methodology Leadership: Be responsible for driving the Standard Testing Methodology.
  • Issue Resolution: Identify problem areas in lab and/or test facilities and implement improvement plans.
  • Card Management: Manage the laboratory P-Card balance and associated monthly reconciliation paperwork.
  • Work Coordination: Manage lab work with project team leaders to assure efficient use of lab personnel.
  • Data Strategy: Develop and implement a lab data acquisition strategy for the laboratory locations and across the different company-owned test facilities.
  • Test Development: Assist Engineers with the development of new tests.
  • Project Support: Perform limited lab project work by the Director of Product Engineering.
  • Department Coordination: Facilitate cooperation between different departments to achieve company goals.
  • Lab Representation: Represent the Laboratory in Project Core Team Meetings and NPI reviews.
  • Miscellaneous Duties: Perform miscellaneous duties as may be assigned from time to time.

10. Lab Supervisor Additional Details

  • Technician Supervision: Supervise and train all laboratory technicians.
  • Performance Development: Conduct performance evaluations on direct reports and work to develop employees’ knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • ISO Maintenance: Perform ISO tasks necessary for maintenance of the ISO 9001 Quality System.
  • Project Participation: Complete projects by assisting project teams, attending, and participating in group and project meetings.
  • QA QC Testing: Perform routine quality assurance/quality control testing and inspection of manufactured products to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Sample Analysis: Test and analyze results on Product Development samples and samples submitted by overseas affiliates.
  • Record Maintenance: Maintain all lab-related paperwork and records, audit laboratory data, prepare reports, graphs, and charts.
  • Statistical Analysis: Use statistical techniques to identify adverse trends in data and data “outliers”.
  • Calibration Program: Be responsible for the calibration program for laboratory and manufacturing monitoring and measuring equipment, and perform routine maintenance on lab equipment.
  • Sample Prioritization: Determine the priority status of all samples in each day’s lab batch and ensure the expedited processing of samples to meet the client’s requirements.
  • Document Development: Develop, write, review, perform, and validate test methods, laboratory SOPs, and other department-level operating and quality documents.
  • Data Review: Review and sign data sheets and reports.
  • Supply Management: Maintain lab supplies by inventorying stock, placing orders, and verifying receipt.
  • Policy Adherence: Ensures team adheres to internal standards, policies, and procedures.
  • QA Partnership: Partners with the Quality Assurance Department (Certificates, Photos, Environmental Monitoring, etc.) to ensure compliance.
  • System Transition: Manages the transition of Access and Excel Spreadsheets to QMS and LIMS.
  • NCM Support: Assist with the Non-Conforming Material Process, including reporting, sampling, etc.
  • Troubleshooting: Assist in troubleshooting of production problems and process/product improvement and development.
  • Solution Preparation: Prepare chemical solutions according to standard formulae.

11. Lab Supervisor Essential Functions

  • Safety Promotion: Promotes and supports the health and safety program.
  • Method Development: Develops, implements, and maintains test methods that meet the requirements for accuracy and repeatability.
  • Quality Direction: Effective direction and maintenance of the quality systems to ensure pulp meets or exceeds customer expectations.
  • Policy Compliance: Ensures compliance with Paper Excellence policy and Government legislation.
  • Budget Support: Assists in developing the annual laboratory budget and forecasts.
  • Variance Explanation: Explains any variances with appropriate corrective actions.
  • Team Partnership: Establishes and maintains extensive partnerships and develops a positive working environment with the team, ensuring the team members are empowered, encouraged, and rewarded for their contributions and performance.
  • Role Definition: Establishes and clearly defines responsibility for staff on the team and ensures the ongoing management and support of staff and effective employee performance.
  • Talent Retention: Attracts and retains people with key skills with a focus on proficiency training and career development.
  • Audit Assurance: Ensures that laboratory testing audits completed by external stakeholders provide valid data.

12. Lab Supervisor Role Purpose

  • Protocol Compliance: Follows laboratory protocols and safety regulations.
  • Result Accountability: Accountable for on-time, high-quality results.
  • Workflow Management: Manage the workflow of laboratory technicians.
  • Testing Operations: Manage routine testing operations for service customers.
  • Schedule Coordination: Create team schedules and run team meetings.
  • Performance Assessment: Assess the work performance of the technician, including improvement areas.
  • Inventory Coordination: Coordination of laboratory inventory systems, forecasting, and planning.
  • Responsibility Oversight: Oversight of technician responsibilities, including routine logging of specimens, documentation of sample testing into the laboratory management information system (LIMS), Quality controls, and delivering quality compliance.
  • New Hire Training: Train and onboard new hires.
  • Proficiency Management: Manage laboratory proficiency testing programs.
  • Issue Resolution: Quick and appropriate resolution of any challenges, including assay troubleshooting.

13. Senior Lab Supervisor General Responsibilities

  • Staff Supervision: Direct supervisory responsibility for, and coordination of, daily work assignments for lab technicians in alignment with operating unit priorities.
  • Staffing Planning: Determination of staffing requirements to align with project demand.
  • Staff Training: Train and mentor staff to ensure adequate resourcing and successful performance.
  • Metric Reporting: Establish, track, and report metrics pertinent to resource and equipment usage and efficiency.
  • Career Development: Career development of lab technicians.
  • Resource Coordination: Coordination with maintenance and calibration services for lab resources and equipment.
  • Equipment Operation: Ensures effective operation of all laboratory equipment and serves as the point of contact for instrument repairs.
  • Equipment Introduction: Verify proper equipment introduction procedures are followed (asset management, equipment IQ) and coordination with facilities on lab functional requirements, space planning, electrical, air, etc.
  • Inventory Maintenance: Maintain an adequate inventory of consumable materials and lab equipment.
  • Vendor Procedures: Development of tracking procedures, establishment, and maintenance of service contracts and warranties with vendors.
  • EHS Interface: Interface with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to complete lab modifications and ensure safety compliance.
  • Safety Coordination: Coordinate with EHS on lab safety programs and waste management.
  • Risk Identification: Identify workplace safety risks through observation of work processes, materials, equipment, and the work habits of employees.
  • Quality Compliance: Implement and monitor compliance with Quality Systems Requirements.

14. Lab Supervisor Key Accountabilities

  • Safety Accountability: Accountable for personal safety, the safety of co-workers, and promoting a safe work environment.
  • Shift Supervision: Supervise employees who cover all shifts of the lab.
  • ISO Management: Manage ISO 17025 accreditation and maintain the quality system.
  • Audit Coordination: Coordinate internal and external audits, report findings, and implement corrective actions.
  • Calibration Maintenance: Ensure calibration and annual maintenance programs are properly maintained.
  • Vendor Negotiation: Work directly with vendors to obtain quotes and negotiate equipment purchase.
  • Sample Submission: Collect and submit samples for outside (contract or customer) testing.
  • Protocol Compliance: Ensure compliance with ASTM, ISO, and/or customer-mandated protocols.
  • Statistical Enforcement: Statistically analyze, enforce, and propose modifications to the Quality Test Procedures.
  • Housekeeping Practice: Safely perform all tasks and practice good housekeeping.
  • Sample Acquisition: Ensure the acquisition of customers and retention of samples.
  • Instruction Accuracy: Ensure the accuracy of work instructions, laboratory standards, calculations, and reporting generated by Laboratory Technicians.

15. Lab Supervisor Roles and Details

  • Civils Knowledge: Wide knowledge of Civils testing methods related to soil/concrete and aggregate testing.
  • Test Design: Design, set up, and perform a variety of tests according to customer specifications and requirements.
  • Technician Supervision: Supervise technicians conducting testing and discuss results with clients.
  • Technician Mentoring: Mentor and train technicians who have less experience through effective communication of technical data.
  • Knowledge Transfer: Transfer technical knowledge/requirements and successfully satisfy and meet customer specifications.
  • Report Preparation: Prepare, compile, and authorise test reports.
  • Employee Assignment: Assigns employees to maximize quality control objectives.
  • Data Analysis: Analyzes data and puts corrective actions into place.
  • Procedure Development: Ensures procedures are followed and may develop procedures for the quality assurance inspection operation.
  • Inspection Supervision: Provides immediate supervision to inspectors, checking work at frequent intervals.
  • Customer Liaison: Frequently interacts with outside customers, vendors, and functional peer groups at various management levels and serves as a liaison between customers and the division regarding quality issues.
  • Quality Goal Support: Confers with management and production to determine support for quality goals.
  • Policy Support: Support and comply with all Company policies, Quality Systems, and Health and Safety policies.
  • Client Support: Support Client Services to respond to client inquiries, complaints, and concerns.
  • Chemistry Oversight: Direct and control the operations of the chemistry laboratory, including overseeing testing, instrumentation maintenance, staff training, competency assessment, proficiency evaluation, performance management, and documentation.
  • Policy Maintenance: Maintain departmental operating policies and procedures to include departmental programs, quality control, quality assurance, and safety.
  • Result Review: Review completion of patient test results, quality control results, and track productivity.
  • Corrective Action: Take corrective action to resolve issues involving test results, quality, instrumentation, compliance, and employee performance.
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