Purchasing director Jobs in San Diego, CA

Labcorp is a global leader in innovative laboratory services, advancing healthcare through science and technology. Our San Diego Core Testing Laboratory plays a critical role in delivering timely, high‑quality diagnostic testing to support patient care across the region.

The Technical Director, Core Testing Laboratory provides scientific, operational, and regulatory leadership for the San Diego Core Testing Lab. This role is responsible for ensuring technical excellence across all testing platforms, compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and the continuous advancement of quality, efficiency, and innovation within a high‑volume laboratory environment.

The Technical Director works in close partnership with laboratory operations leadership to align technical strategy with business goals, support assay validation and implementation, and ensure the lab remains inspection‑ready at all times. A key responsibility will be to engage with clients to discuss results, testing, and questions regarding testing performed inside and outside of laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Scientific Oversight

• Serve as the CLIA‑designated Technical Director for assigned testing areas, in accordance with federal, state, and accrediting body requirements.
• Provide subject‑matter expertise across core laboratory disciplines, including chemistry, immunoassay, hematology, coagulation, and automation.
• Oversee test method validation, verification, and troubleshooting for new and existing assays.
• Ensure appropriate test utilization, reference ranges, critical values, and result interpretation standards are maintained.
• Support client questions and concerns regarding testing and client experience.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with CLIA, CAP, state, and local regulations governing laboratory testing.
• Lead preparation for regulatory inspections and accreditation surveys; respond to findings and develop corrective and preventive action plans.
• Partner with Quality teams to monitor quality indicators, proficiency testing performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure documentation, SOPs, and technical records meet all regulatory and internal standards.

Operational & Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Laboratory Directors, Operations Leaders, and Medical Directors, Commercial Teams to support daily operations and long‑term strategy.
• Provide technical guidance related to workflow optimization, automation, instrumentation selection, and capacity planning.
• Support investigation and resolution of complex technical issues impacting turnaround time, quality, or client satisfaction.
• Participate in system‑wide initiatives related to standardization, platform optimization, and innovation.

People Development & Mentorship

• Act as a technical mentor and resource for laboratory leaders, supervisors, and technical staff.
• Support training, competency assessment, and continuing education initiatives.
• Contribute to building a culture of scientific rigor, accountability, and continuous learning.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD, DSc, or equivalent) in Clinical Chemistry, Chemical Pathology, Biochemistry, or a related life science OR
  MD/DO with appropriate laboratory experience.
• Meets CLIA requirements to serve as a Technical Director for high‑complexity testing.
• 5 years or more of experience in a high‑complexity clinical laboratory environment, with demonstrated technical leadership.
• California Clinical Chemist license

Preferred Qualifications

• Board certification (e.g., ABCC, ABP, equivalent)

Additional Job Standards

• Experience in a high‑volume core laboratory with advanced automation.
• Prior involvement in test menu expansion, platform conversions, or large‑scale validations.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with operations and commercial teams to drive performance improvement.
• Proven ability to lead through influence in a matrixed, operationally complex environment.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory and accreditation requirements (CLIA, CAP, state regulations).
• Able to pass a standardized color blindness test

Labcorp is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Labcorp strives for inclusion and belonging in the workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We make employment decisions based on the needs of our business and the qualifications and merit of the individual. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), family or parental status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, personal appearance, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. Additionally, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law.

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