Lab Manager

Airgas • Cheshire, CT

1d • $78,000 - $84,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Airgas is Hiring for a Lab Manager in Cheshire, CT! At Airgas, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world. We are looking for you! The Lab Manager is responsible for assuring quality control, documentation of compliance with specifications and regulations, maintaining safety and providing direction to lab staff. The position assumes primary responsibility for all aspects of analysis and lab operations conducted at the facility and acts as a technical resource. As a critical member of the plant management team, the Lab Manager directs production employees to assure that gas products meet desired specifications in compliance with customer requirements; federal, state, local regulations; and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Airgas. Directly hires, manages, trains and develops lab/quality staff. Key team leader of the plant compliance program in accordance with Food & Drug Administration (FDA), ISO, Department of Transportation (DOT), and Safety Management System (SMS) objectives. Ensures the education, use and deployment of the Specialty Gas SOP and ISO standard. Trains production associates on Company SOP’s for filling, handling and sorting of cylinders and any analytical requirements that may be needed per product or customer specifications. Primary point of contact for customer visits, audits, and questions relating to quality assurance. Manages customer complaints (CATS) for timely resolution to customer. In conjunction with the Production Manager, assists with managing the scheduling of all products utilizing SAP within the Production Planning Module (PPM). Inspects for proper evacuation and cylinder prep for filling of cylinders. Inspection of all sorting and pre fill areas for accuracy performed by sorters and fillers. Inspect all laboratory records to ensure calibration of instruments is done as required in SOP. Inspect cylinders prior to filling, following standard procedures as required by government, Airgas, and distributor standards. Responsible for meeting all safety standards in the production of cylinder gases including leading all internal industrial, medical and specialty gas audits. Complies with company guidelines and procedures as well as government regulations relating to the safe handling of hazardous materials/cylinder gases including loading methods, loading for safety, availability of cylinders, and weight distribution. Responsible for the continuous learning and knowledge of hazards of various gases. Conducts a variety of Safety checks. Ensures all cylinders are located in their respective areas and properly painted and labeled to meet safety requirements. Assures the safe filling of cylinders and cryogenic vessels by pressure and weight per regulations and standards. Achieves all goals of the quality continuous improvement program. Creates, reviews, and maintains documentation for the following: Form for fill areas to include proper pressure, temperature and leak detection. Maintains calibration records for all weights, scales and thermometers per SOP. Manually sets calibrators to analyze selected cylinders for purity, dew point, and other required qualities. Prepares and maintains documentation. Completes daily fill sheets for every type of gas, as required by DOT, FDA, and the Company. Completes quality control sheets as required. Additional duties and projects as may be assigned.

Requirements

• High school degree or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Chemistry or related degree field.
• A minimum of 5 years of technical experience in the gas industry to include demonstrated experience working in a leadership position.
• In lieu of specific industry experience, may accept an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 1-3 years working experience in Quality Management Systems and quality system audits.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough understanding of how to leverage metrics and related tools to improve production efficiency and effectiveness.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Communication skills that ensure a smooth flow of information between self and others through clear speaking and writing, encouragement of open expression of ideas, and effective listening.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people with different personalities and backgrounds.
• Ability to read and comprehend material safety data sheets.
• Ability to work flexible schedule to meet management requirements and customer expectations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in all units of measure using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratios, and percent.
• Self-starter; self-motivated; well organized; ability to work independently and under some pressure to meet deadlines.
• Detail oriented with the ability to complete handwritten compliance documentation neatly and accurately.
• Demonstrated dedication to product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Must be able to safely drive a forklift.
• May be required to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds and move up to 125 pounds with the aid of material handling equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Prefer prior technical experience with compressed/welding gases, gas analysis and gas lab equipment.
• Prior experience utilizing SAP preferred.

Responsibilities

• assuring quality control
• documentation of compliance with specifications and regulations
• maintaining safety
• providing direction to lab staff
• all aspects of analysis and lab operations conducted at the facility
• acts as a technical resource
• directs production employees to assure that gas products meet desired specifications in compliance with customer requirements; federal, state, local regulations; and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Airgas
• Directly hires, manages, trains and develops lab/quality staff
• Key team leader of the plant compliance program in accordance with Food & Drug Administration (FDA), ISO, Department of Transportation (DOT), and Safety Management System (SMS) objectives
• Ensures the education, use and deployment of the Specialty Gas SOP and ISO standard
• Trains production associates on Company SOP’s for filling, handling and sorting of cylinders and any analytical requirements that may be needed per product or customer specifications
• Primary point of contact for customer visits, audits, and questions relating to quality assurance
• Manages customer complaints (CATS) for timely resolution to customer
• assists with managing the scheduling of all products utilizing SAP within the Production Planning Module (PPM)
• Inspects for proper evacuation and cylinder prep for filling of cylinders
• Inspection of all sorting and pre fill areas for accuracy performed by sorters and fillers
• Inspect all laboratory records to ensure calibration of instruments is done as required in SOP
• Inspect cylinders prior to filling, following standard procedures as required by government, Airgas, and distributor standards
• Responsible for meeting all safety standards in the production of cylinder gases including leading all internal industrial, medical and specialty gas audits
• Complies with company guidelines and procedures as well as government regulations relating to the safe handling of hazardous materials/cylinder gases including loading methods, loading for safety, availability of cylinders, and weight distribution
• Responsible for the continuous learning and knowledge of hazards of various gases
• Conducts a variety of Safety checks
• Ensures all cylinders are located in their respective areas and properly painted and labeled to meet safety requirements
• Assures the safe filling of cylinders and cryogenic vessels by pressure and weight per regulations and standards
• Achieves all goals of the quality continuous improvement program
• Creates, reviews, and maintains documentation for the following: Form for fill areas to include proper pressure, temperature and leak detection
• Maintains calibration records for all weights, scales and thermometers per SOP
• Manually sets calibrators to analyze selected cylinders for purity, dew point, and other required qualities
• Prepares and maintains documentation
• Completes daily fill sheets for every type of gas, as required by DOT, FDA, and the Company
• Completes quality control sheets as required
• Additional duties and projects as may be assigned

Benefits

• Pay Range: $78,000-$84,000
• Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
• Support for Parents: We offer a 14-week paid child birth benefit to support growing families.
• Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
• Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment.
• medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.
• 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.

What This Job Offers

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