Lab Manager

Allegion • Indianapolis, IN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Coatings Laboratory Manager leads laboratory analysis supporting coatings processes and wastewater treatment. The role uses analytical results and structured problem-solving to identify plating and painting defects, implement corrective actions, and maintain process capability to defined standards. The manager develops Lab and Preventative Maintenance Technicians, sets daily priorities, coordinates work across operations, maintenance, engineering, and other teams, and ensures work is completed safely, accurately, and on time.

The position performs and oversees chemical and physical analyses, manages lab and process chemical inventory, and coordinates chemistry additions and changes, plating projects, bath dilutions, tank repairs, filter changes, and preventive-maintenance tasks using TrueChem. It also investigates coatings and wastewater-treatment issues, maintains laboratory equipment and PM schedules, and keeps accurate laboratory and process records. The manager prepares reports and statistical evaluations, coordinates external laboratory testing, and supports safe and environmentally responsible chemical operations.

The role works to improve process control, productivity, quality, cost, and flow time; develops new processes; and provides operators with training and documentation. It creates and maintains controlled documentation, including operating procedures, technical data sheets, preventive-maintenance documents, and standard work, while maintaining applicable ISO 9001 analytical techniques. The manager partners with process engineering to maintain TrueChem process PM schedules and ensure required sign-offs are completed.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry or a related field.
• At least five years of laboratory experience.
• Strong applied chemistry, laboratory testing, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret technical procedures, professional and regulatory information, and statistical results; prepare clear reports and procedures; and communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Comfort working with mathematical concepts including percentages, ratios, proportions, probability, and statistical inference.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, resolve day-to-day problems, coordinate priorities, and work collaboratively across teams.
• Ability to meet the physical and environmental requirements of the position, including standing and walking, occasional climbing or kneeling, lifting up to 10 pounds, working around chemicals and process equipment, and wearing required PPE.
• Successfully complete Hazard Communication/RCRA training within 30 days of placement.
• Willingness to take and pass the CEF examination within three years on the job.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading or supervising laboratory technicians.
• Familiarity with coating and wastewater-treatment processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage laboratory analysis supporting coatings processes and wastewater treatment.
• Use analytical results and problem-solving investigations to identify plating and painting defects, implement corrective actions, and maintain process capability to defined standards.
• Lead and develop Lab and Preventative Maintenance Technicians, set daily priorities, coordinate work with operations, maintenance, engineering, and other teams, and help ensure work is completed safely, accurately, and on time.
• Perform and oversee chemical and physical analyses using methods such as autotitrator, ICP-OES spectroscopy, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, distillation, Hull cell analysis, thickness testing, microscopy, and visual inspection.
• Manage laboratory and process chemical inventory.
• Manage chemistry additions and changes, plating projects, bath dilutions, tank repairs, filter changes, and preventive-maintenance tasks using TrueChem.
• Investigate coating and wastewater-treatment issues, interpret findings, recommend and implement corrective actions, and lead or participate in structured problem-solving teams.
• Maintain laboratory equipment for troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance program schedules, and external service contracts.
• Maintain accurate laboratory and process records; prepare reports, graphs, interpretations, and evaluations using conventional and statistical methods.
• Coordinate external laboratory testing, including sample preparation, shipping, purchase-order initiation, and chain-of-custody records.
• Support safe, environmentally responsible chemical operations; maintain SDS and environmental records; and partner with the gage laboratory to keep calibration and certification records current.
• Improve process control, productivity, quality, cost, and flow time; develop new processes and provide operators with training and documentation to sustain improvements.
• Create and maintain controlled documentation for assigned areas, including operating procedures, technical data sheets, preventive-maintenance documents, and standard work; maintain applicable ISO 9001 analytical techniques.
• Partner with process engineering to maintain TrueChem process PM schedules and ensure required preventive-maintenance sign-offs are completed.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• 401K plan with a 6% company match and no vesting period.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts through Perks at Work.
• Onsite cafeteria and gym.
• Generous paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager