Supervisor, Technical Laboratory

Job Summary

The Laboratory Supervisor reports to the Process Manager and leads the laboratory function at Freeport LNG — including the Liquefaction facility, the Pretreatment facility, and other Company sites as required — in support of safe, compliant, and reliable LNG operations.

The role provides direct supervision, technical direction, and day-to-day leadership for laboratory personnel supporting the process units, environmental programs, and custody-transfer activities. It is accountable for maintaining a strong safety culture and operational discipline in a high-hazard industrial environment, and for ensuring analytical results are accurate, traceable, timely, and suitable for their intended use.

The Laboratory Supervisor serves as the laboratory’s primary interface with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Environmental/Regulatory, Commercial, and Projects, providing sound technical guidance and clear escalation when laboratory data, sampling conditions, or process context may affect safety, compliance, reliability, or business decisions.

Duties/Responsibilities

• 
  
  
  
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate hazards specific to laboratory and field sampling work, including flammable gas, cryogenic materials, toxic substances, and marine/dock operations.
  
  
  • Select, develop, validate, and maintain analytical methods and sampling techniques for LNG and related process streams, including non-routine or modified methods.
  
  
  • Perform, review, and validate complex laboratory analyses; operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory and online analytical equipment, including gas chromatographs; maintain sampling-system integrity, chain-of-custody, and sample representativeness; and reconcile laboratory data against process conditions, historical trends, and online analyzers in coordination with Process Engineering.
  
  
  
  

• 
  
  
  
  • Ensure laboratory analyses, sampling, calibration, and reporting meet quality and contractual expectations for LNG custody-transfer operations.
  
  
  • Ensure environmental sampling and analysis programs (e.g., water, wastewater, and compliance monitoring) are executed, documented, and reported in accordance with regulatory and audit requirements.
  
  
  
  

Duties/Responsibilities - Continued

• Lead and participate in internal and external audits; prepare documentation, address findings, and close corrective actions.


• Maintain laboratory facilities, sample systems, and consumables in safe, reliable working condition, and resolve issues affecting safety, quality, or operations.


• Support turnaround, incident response, and abnormal operations by prioritizing sampling and delivering timely, accurate analytical data.


• Participate in incident investigations related to laboratory operations, sampling, or data quality; identify root causes; and implement corrective and preventive actions.


• Review and provide input to Management of Change (MOC) for laboratory methods, sampling systems, analyzers, and related equipment or procedures.


• Manage staffing schedules and shift coverage for routine operations, outages, and critical activities, including workload and fatigue-risk controls.


• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with training, competency, and safety requirements.

Essential Functions

• 
  
  
  
  • Lead laboratory safety and risk management for all laboratory and field sampling activities in a high-hazard LNG environment.
  
  
  • Direct laboratory operations and analytical services across all supported facilities — including process units, utilities, environmental sampling points, and custody transfer interfaces — in support of LNG production, product and feed-gas quality, process systems, environmental monitoring, and operational decision-making.
  
  
  • Ensure analytical results, sampling practices, and reporting are accurate, traceable, and compliant with internal procedures, regulatory and environmental obligations, and contractual quality expectations.
  
  
  • Own the laboratory quality management system, including QA/QC, data validation, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
  
  
  • Provide technical leadership and serve as the laboratory’s primary interface with other site functions on matters affecting safety, compliance, reliability, and business decisions.
  
  
  • Supervise, develop, and manage the performance of laboratory personnel.
  
  
  • Manage laboratory resources, including budget, staffing, equipment, calibration, and third-party services.
  
  
  
  

Minimum Qualification/Work Experience

Minimum Education Required: 

·         Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biology, or other related field required

Minimum Experience Required: 

·         8+ years’ experience in an industrial laboratory

·         2-5 years’ supervisory experience

Preferred Education: 

·         Master’s degree in chemistry, Biology, or other related field required

Preferred Experience: 

·         10+ years’ experience in an industrial laboratory

5+ years’ supervisory experience

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Proficient in standard laboratory and business systems, including LIMS, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications.


• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly and collaborate effectively across functions.


• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic operational environment.


• Working knowledge of laboratory quality practices, including QA/QC principles, data verification, documentation standards, and traceable recordkeeping in a regulated industrial environment.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret laboratory data, identify anomalies, and support practical corrective actions.


• Experience with laboratory analytical equipment, sampling systems, and analyzer troubleshooting, including gas chromatographs and related calibration practices.


• General understanding of industrial process operations and the relationship between laboratory data, plant performance, environmental compliance, and business decisions.


• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, including the ability to train, mentor, set expectations, and hold personnel accountable for performance and safe work practices.


• Working knowledge of industrial safety practices, including hazard recognition, SDS usage, incident reporting, emergency response expectations, and reinforcement of a strong safety culture.


• Self-motivated and adaptable, with a proactive approach to learning, continuous improvement, and changing operational needs.

HSE Roles and Responsibilities

Support the policies, efforts, and programs of Freeport LNG Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Management System.  Actively participate in the HSE Management System Policies.  Ensure that HSE concerns are given priority in all activities completed within their area of responsibility.  Implement routine inspections to ensure safe operating conditions.

Working Conditions and Physical Expectations

Work Environment

• Works in an industrial plant environment.


• May be exposed to indoor and outdoor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, humidity, and wind.


• May be exposed to moving mechanical equipment, electrical systems, and elevated noise levels.


• May be required to wear respiratory protection and all other required personal protective equipment (PPE).


• May be required to work at elevated heights and enter confined spaces.


• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).


• Routinely uses standard office and field equipment, including computers, telephones, copiers/scanners, radios, and other communication devices.


• May be required to travel or drive to other Company locations as needed.

Working Conditions and Physical Expectations

Physical Demands

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position throughout a full work shift.


• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, reach, twist, push, pull, and perform repetitive hand movements.


• Frequently uses hands to handle, grasp, finger, and manipulate tools, equipment, and materials.


• Must be able to move throughout all areas of the facility.


• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds without assistance.


• Requires the ability to speak, hear, and communicate effectively.


• Requires corrected visual acuity sufficient to perform job duties, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.