Territory details:

Hours: Full time, first shift
Location: Grand Ledge, Mich.
Reports to: Director of DHI and Laboratory Services
Application deadline: Sept. 22, 2025

The Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for all aspects of daily laboratory operations, including components and diagnostic laboratories; periodic reviews of all laboratory operations; and training and development of laboratory team members to ensure profitability and production standards are in line with overall company goals.

In the Grand Ledge laboratory, the team analyzes milk, blood, tissue, and fecal samples for more than a dozen components and characteristics including butterfat, protein, lactose, solids-non-fat, somatic cell count, MUN, Johne’s, leukosis, bovine viral diarrhea, progesterone, neospora, mastitis, pregnancy, and more. This laboratory also works very closely with CentralStar’s Research and Development business unit.

Day-to-day responsibilities:

• Prepare work schedules and organize daily operations;
• Maintain established quality-control standards;
• Continually brainstorm opportunities and foster innovation for improved efficiency, profitability, problem-solving, etc.;
• Assist with training team members;
• Coach team members on methods and techniques for improvement;
• Complete appropriate paperwork;
• Collaborate and communicate with others, such as CentralStar’s Research and Development team;
• Demonstrate high integrity;
• Encourage a laboratory culture of friendship, vision, accountability, leadership, and engagement while respecting each team member’s unique personality and skill set; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological laboratory sciences and/or minimum five years of experience in laboratory procedures;
• Experience with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, including infrared spectroscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, PCR, and more to process millions of biological samples, annually, including milk, blood, tissue, and feces;
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills;
• Profound computer experience;
• Outstanding people skills, with service-orientated attitude;
• Excellent communication techniques;
• Strong work ethic; and the
• Ability to regularly sit, stand for prolonged periods of time, walk, bend, climb, lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds, and move quickly to evade potentially-harmful situations.
• Previous supervisory experience and agricultural background desirable.

Compensation:

• Competitive wage and paid training;
• Paid time off;
• Health-, dental-, and vision-insurance options;
• Flexible-spending account;
• 401 (k) – retirement savings plan with up to 4% match;
• Company-sponsored life insurance and long-term-disability insurance;
• Optional short-term-disability insurance;
• Continuing-education opportunities;
• Employee-assistance program; and
• Employee-awards program.

About CentralStar Cooperative:

CentralStar’s mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success is fulfilled by incorporating an array of products and services critical to dairy-and-beef-farm prosperity. CentralStar’s product and service offerings include Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial-insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic, reproduction, and dairy-records consultation; DHI services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development; and more. CentralStar’s administration and warehouse facilities are located in Lansing, Mich., and Waupun, Wis., with laboratories in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Kaukauna, Wis. The cooperative serves dairy and beef producers throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, with additional DHI territory in various surrounding states.