Laboratory Manager

Airgas • Plumsteadville, PA

16d • Onsite

About The Position

Airgas is Hiring for a Laboratory Manager in Plumsteadville, PA! 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 ! A specialty gas laboratory manager position requires a blend of strong leadership and management skills, deep technical expertise in specialty gases and analytical methods, and a rigorous commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. The core elements span operational, technical, quality assurance, and personnel management domains.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field is required; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• a minimum of 5 years supervisory experience, preferably in a plant laboratory capacity.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), leadership, organizational, and time-management skills are vital for success in this multifaceted role.
• Although this position oversees a fixed operation, circumstantial travel may be required. Must have reliable, appropriate transportation.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals in English
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and employees
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals using the English language
• Must be comfortable working with standard productivity packages (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Suite)
• Must be comfortable working with standard statistical analysis packages
• Must be proficient working with tools and protocols to generate quality-related documentation for gases & equipment
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.
• Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Supervises direct reports in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Major accountabilities include interviewing, hiring, training associates, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining associates; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand; use hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The associate must lift and or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to focus.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and supervise lab personnel, providing guidance and support to foster a collaborative and efficient team environment.
• Oversee daily operations, coordinate and schedule laboratory assignments and projects, manage conflicting priorities, and ensure efficient workflow to meet production goals and deadlines.
• Plan and control the laboratory budget, manage inventory of equipment and supplies, and negotiate with suppliers.
• Ensure all laboratory records, documents, and reports are complete, clear, and accurate for internal and external requirements. Prepare performance reports for local and senior management when appropriate.
• Possess intimate knowledge of specialty gas properties, handling, production, and manufacturing methods.
• Have hands-on experience with analytical equipment such as gas chromatographs (GC), dedicated and variable analyzers. Must be able to demonstrate ability to perform a degree of troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Utilize analytical and critical-thinking skills to troubleshoot technical issues, resolve equipment malfunctions, address quality failures through effective root cause analysis and corrective/preventive measures, and identify, control, and monitor risk within the local quality management system.
• Identify and implement process improvements, new technologies, and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety within the lab.
• Develop, implement, and enforce robust safety protocols and policies. Conduct regular risk assessments, and report any incident or accident within our tracking system. Further investigations may be required to maintain a safe work environment.
• Ensure strict adherence to all relevant local, state, and federal regulations and standards, including OSHA, EPA, and industry-specific certifications like ISO 9001, 17025, 17034.
• Implement and oversee quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs to ensure the accuracy, precision, validity, and integrity of all testing and analysis results.
• Oversee the regular maintenance and calibration of all testing and measuring equipment, keeping detailed records to ensure accuracy and compliance. Manage or delegate preventive maintenance programs while including unscheduled maintenance within the same monitoring records.
• Host, plan, and coordinate both internal and external audits and surveillance activities
• Submitting deviation requests for departures from documented policies and procedures
• Continuously review the Quality Management System and associated procedures, technical bulletins, and advanced processes to improve on the local implementation.
• Ensuring that all requirements outlined by customers are strictly followed.
• Initiating customer contact or concessions when necessary or when product does not conform to the requirements of the quality system, testing, or calibration methods.
• Demonstrate effective customer interfacing on technical matters to promote our reputation without over committing on complex products.
• Serve as technical manager for the laboratory and provide technical assistance to plant personnel as necessary.
• Managing laboratory employee work schedules, vacations, and overtime.
• Develop, modify, and verify validation of test methods.
• Providing input for quality corrective and preventive actions.
• Participating in management review meetings.
• Promoting cross-training between laboratory personnel.
• Monitoring verification of raw materials to ensure quality outputs.
• Order raw materials when required.
• Manage local SPC/SQC program on a monthly basis.

Benefits

• We care about and support all Airgas associates. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and paid holidays for full-time employees.
• We provide a progressive parental leave package for our eligible Airgas parents, offering generous paid time off for the birth or placement of children.
• Additionally, we offer our employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees