Laboratory Operations Manager

About the Role: The Laboratory Operations Manager runs day-to-day production at Polaris and is the lab’s senior technical leader. You will own quality, turnaround, and the technician team, with the authority to set standards, change processes, and develop people. You will partner directly with the CEO, who leads the business side, and with our account managers, who manage dentist relationships. This is primarily a management role. We expect up to 15% of your time to be hands-on: production, troubleshooting, and training at the bench.

Essential Duties: Quality and Remake Reduction•Own the lab’s remake program: track remakes daily, categorize them by cause, and lead root-cause analysis with the technicians involved.•Establish and enforce quality checkpoints at each stage of production (model work, design, milling and sintering, finishing, and final inspection) so problems are caught before cases leave the lab.•Set measurable quality targets with leadership and report on progress weekly.•Evaluate material performance and supplier quality, including zirconia, and recommend changes when materials are not meeting clinical expectations. Production and Turnaround•Manage daily case flow from intake to shipping so cases meet due dates and pickup and delivery schedules.•Identify and resolve bottlenecks; balance workload across departments and technicians.•Track and report on-time delivery, turnaround time, and throughput. Team Leadership•Supervise, schedule, and assign work for a team of 9.5 technicians across all production departments.•Hire, onboard, coach, and evaluate technicians; recommend promotions, pay changes, and corrective action.•Build cross-training plans so every department has backup coverage during absences and periods of high volume.•Write and maintain standard operating procedures and technician work instructions. Dentist Technical Support•Serve as the lab’s technical contact for dentists on case design, materials, shade, and fit, working alongside our account managers.•Review remake and adjustment requests with clinicians and turn their feedback into process improvements. Equipment, Materials, and Compliance•Oversee preventive maintenance and calibration of mills, sintering furnaces, scanners, 3D printers, and other lab equipment; manage service vendors.•Manage inventory and purchasing of materials, balancing cost, availability, and quality.•Maintain the lab’s infection control plan, Cal/OSHA compliance, safety data sheets, and PPE program.

Qualifications: Required•5+ years of experience in a commercial dental laboratory focused on fixed restorations, including 2+ years supervising technicians.•Hands-on expertise with zirconia restorations (design, milling, sintering, staining, and glazing), plus working knowledge of PFM and implant restorations.•Proficiency with exocad and/or 3 Shape and with dental lab case-management software.•A track record of reducing remakes or improving turnaround, with results you can describe in numbers.•Ability to lead and coach a team, including addressing performance issues directly and fairly.•Comfort using data (reports and spreadsheets) to track performance and make decisions. Preferred•Certified Dental Technician (CDT).•Experience managing a lab of similar size (10–25 employees) where the manager also works at the bench.•Experience evaluating and qualifying material suppliers. Schedule and Work Environment•Full-time, on-site, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.. Occasional extended hours may be needed to meet case deadlines.•Laboratory environment with exposure to dust, dental materials, and chemicals; PPE is required and provided.•Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, perform detailed hand work, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Compensation and Benefits: •Salary of $75,000 – $95,000 per year, based on experience.•Performance bonus tied to quality and production goals.•Paid time off, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and 401(k) plan.\nCompany

Description: Polaris Dental Lab is a full-service dental laboratory in Sacramento, California, serving more than 150 dental practices across the region. Our technicians complete every case in-house, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern digital workflows, including CAD/CAM design and in-house milling and sintering. Our mission is simple: restorations that fit right the first time. Under new ownership since July 2026, Polaris is investing in its people, equipment, and quality systems. We are looking for a hands-on technical leader who wants real authority to shape how a lab runs, and who will be backed by an owner committed to getting it right.

Company Description: Polaris Dental Lab is a full-service dental laboratory in Sacramento, California, serving more than 150 dental practices across the region. Our technicians complete every case in-house, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern digital workflows, including CAD/CAM design and in-house milling and sintering.\n\nOur mission is simple: restorations that fit right the first time. Under new ownership since July 2026, Polaris is investing in its people, equipment, and quality systems. We are looking for a hands-on technical leader who wants real authority to shape how a lab runs, and who will be backed by an owner committed to getting it right.\n