Quality Lab Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION:

• Maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS) for the site to address industry requirements, evolving business needs, and alignment across the region.
• Build up partnerships and liaise with various stakeholders/cross functional teams to ensure successful seamless collaborations and cooperation within the company.
• Work to ensure that quality issues/complaints are analyzed and resolved with an understanding that timeliness and accuracy is critical to business.
• Manage and lead primary site staffing and talent management of Quality team members.
• Responsible for supporting primary on-site internal, customer and 3rd party audits and working with the site to close out action requests.
• Participate in site specific customer calls.
• Serve as a member of the Material Review Board (MRB) to ensure timely and effective resolution of materials. 
• Responsible for supporting annual site Management Reviews
• Responsible for reviewing and updating designated site quality documents to ensure compliance with the ISO Quality Standards
• Identify relevant Continuous Improvement opportunities for the Quality Management processes and systems based on customer feedback, audits, complaints, etc.
• Assist and facilitate complaint investigations for complaints from customers.
• Responsible for maintaining an Awareness program with the target to increase understanding of ChromaScape product applications and effects of quality defects at site.
• Serve as a recognized expert to facilitate major change projects ensuring the right cross functional team is assembled, special data analysis is obtained as required and robust reports are generated.
• Share Quality Learnings
• Supervise daily operations of the Quality Control Laboratory, ensuring timely and accurate testing of raw materials (as needed), in-process samples, and finished goods.
• Ensure all testing is performed in accordance with approved methods, specifications, and quality procedures.
• Review and approve laboratory results and release decisions in alignment with quality standards.
• Own the calibration program for laboratory instrumentation (e.g., spectrophotometers, color measurement systems, viscometers, etc.).
• Ensure calibration schedules are maintained, documented, and audit ready.
• Coordinate and perform preventative maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation issues and work with vendors as needed.
• Lead investigation and resolution of nonconforming products and out-of-specification (OOS) results.
• Assist with root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and documentation.
• Partner with Operations to prevent recurrence and reduce quality escapes.
• Lead the investigation of customer complaints, including data review, sample testing, and corrective actions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on improving product consistency, batch-to-batch performance, and right-first-time quality.
• Maintain laboratory organization, cleanliness, and safety in compliance with site standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manage ordering, inventory, and control of laboratory chemicals, reagents, standards, and consumables.
• Ensure proper storage, labeling, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and waste.
• Manage and coach laboratory technicians, as applicable.
• Support training, competency development, and professional growth of direct reports.
• Reinforce a culture of accountability, safety, and data integrity within the lab.
• Track and report key quality metrics to site and/or corporate leadership.
• All other duties assigned as needed

Miscellaneous

• To support the vision, mission and guiding principles of the company.
• Ensure all associates and contract personnel observe applicable Safety, Health, Quality and Environmental rules and guidelines. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment when required.
• Attend and participate in training opportunities and seminars relevant to this position.
• Adhere to company operating procedures, rules, employment, safety and quality policies.
• Understand the company Quality Policy and how this role plays a part
• Any other duties as assigned

Key Behavioral Competencies

Priority Management, Accountability and Integrity, Safety, Teamwork, Effective Communication, Pragmatic, Solutions Oriented, Flexible, Ready to adapt in a fast evolving/changing environment.

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING PREFERRED:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Competent / comfortable with use of information technology including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel. 
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, Biology, or a related technical field required.
• +3 years of progressive leadership experience in a chemical manufacturing environment, including multi-site oversight preferred but not required
• Ideally Six Sigma / LEAN trained
• Background in dispersion chemistry preferred
• Experience in leading transformational change within multi-disciplinary environment is a plus.
• Understanding of ISO 9001 (auditor training preferred) as well as any associated documents. 
• Ability to manage complex projects as needed 
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or associates of organization. Ability to influence and motivate others
• Strong leadership skills, ability to embark people on new journey
• Excellent planning/organizational skills.
• Good analytical, synthesis and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Instinctive improvement and creative mindset.
• Drive for continuous unrelenting improvement using statistical tools.
• Be passionate about success.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The associate occasionally is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The associate is frequently required to stand and walk.
• The associate may occasionally lift up to 55 pounds and manually move product.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate may be occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Ability to travel (5 - 10%).