Lead Laboratory Technician

Shell•Monaca, PA

51d•$84,000 - $126,000

About The Position

The overall function of the Lead Laboratory Technician is to oversee and support the execution of analytical testing to ensure that polyethylene products meet internal specifications and industry standards. This role provides technical leadership, mentors laboratory personnel, and ensures adherence to safety, quality, and compliance protocols. Serving as a key link between the 24x7 Product Quality Laboratory and 24x7 Operations, the Lead Technician coordinates on-shift lab activities, troubleshoots instrumentation issues, and drives continuous improvement. By doing so, they play a critical role in maintaining product integrity, supporting production efficiency, and upholding customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than the current employer
Minimum of 3 years of laboratory experience in manufacturing or industrial setting, preferably in polyethylene or polymer production
Minimum of an Associate of Science (AS) degree in a scientific discipline; Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred
English proficiency required to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedural manuals, and protocols
Experience with ISO 9001, statistical quality control (SQC), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop teams
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., production, quality, technical)
Knowledge of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and data integrity standards
Knowledge of analytical chemistry techniques, methodology, and instrumentation such as Melt Index, Density, Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectroscopy, TOC, Inductively Coupled Plasma, XRF, Ion Chromatography, etc.

Responsibilities

Support Activities - Enabling the lab team and broader Product Quality organization through training, communication, and administrative support
Serve as a liaison between the 24x7 operations and the laboratory to ensure clear communication and alignment
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to lab technicians to support skill development and performance improvement
Coordinate shift handovers to maintain continuity across lab operations
Support training programs for new and existing lab personnel
Participate in internal and external audits, method reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives
Maintain accurate records of testing, equipment logs, and quality documentation
Technical Support - Ensuring the technical accuracy, quality, and compliance of lab operations
Ensure timely and accurate testing of polyethylene products to meet internal specifications and industry standards
Oversee adherence to analytical methods, SOPs, and quality control practices
Review and validate test results for accuracy, completeness, and conformance
Monitor statistical quality control (SQC) charts and initiate corrective actions when needed
Troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation and coordinate maintenance or calibration
Support Management of Change (MOC) processes related to lab methods, equipment, and documentation
Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and analytical methods
Operations - Day-to-day tasks that ensure the lab runs smoothly and supports production needs
Manage day-to-day lab activities to ensure smooth and compliant operations
Escalate abnormal situations to the Laboratory Supervisor to minimize disruption
Ensure compliance with safety, health, environmental, and quality standards, including ISO 9001 and site-specific protocols
Collaborate with production, quality, and technical teams to resolve product quality issues and support process optimization

Benefits

For regular full-time or regular part-time employees of the Company (participating companies as listed in the Summary Plan Description), insurance coverage options include medical, dental, vision coverage, life Insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs.
Employees also participate in a company pension plan and a 401(k) plan.
Paid leave includes up to 6 weeks of paid vacation time, up to 11 paid holidays, and parental leave offering 16 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents, and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.
Additionally, employees are eligible for short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay as well as Long-Term Disability insurance.
Shell also offers other compensation such financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses, and some roles are eligible for discretionary long-term incentives.
For interns, eligible benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs; participation in a 401(k) plan; and paid leave for up to 11 paid holidays.
Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working
Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase - our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents
Join an organization working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply
Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams
Gain access to a wide range of training and development programs