Quality Lab Manager

Chromascape Inc.•Fleetwood, PA

17d

About The Position

The Quality Manager coordinates primary site-specific quality activities and supports continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, and product and system quality across all plants. The role maintains and improves the site Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring it meets industry requirements, evolving business needs, and regional alignment. The manager supervises primary site Quality Lab technicians and reports to the VP of Quality. The role oversees daily Quality Control Laboratory operations, including testing raw materials as needed, in-process samples, and finished goods; approving results and release decisions; and maintaining laboratory instruments, calibration records, and preventative maintenance. It also leads investigations into nonconforming products, out-of-specification results, and customer complaints, supporting root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions. The Quality Manager supports internal, customer, and third-party audits, site Management Reviews, customer calls, and the Material Review Board. The position leads and develops Quality team members, promotes safety and data integrity, manages laboratory supplies and chemical handling, tracks quality metrics, and facilitates cross-functional change and continuous improvement initiatives. The role also supports company policies, training, and applicable Safety, Health, Quality, and Environmental requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, biology, or a related technical field.
More than 3 years of progressive leadership experience in a chemical manufacturing environment is preferred; multi-site oversight is preferred but not required.
Competence and comfort using Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
Understanding of ISO 9001 and associated documents.
Ability to manage complex projects.
Ability to speak effectively before customer or associate groups and to influence and motivate others.
Strong leadership skills and ability to guide people through change.
Excellent planning and organizational skills.
Good analytical, synthesis, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
Improvement-oriented and creative mindset; drive continuous improvement using statistical tools.
Ability to meet the stated physical and environmental demands, including occasional lifting of up to 55 pounds and manual movement of product, and travel of 5–10%.
Ability to support applicable safety, health, quality, and environmental rules and use personal protective equipment when required.

Nice To Haves

Multi-site oversight experience.
Six Sigma or LEAN training.
Background in dispersion chemistry.
Experience leading transformational change in a multidisciplinary environment.
ISO 9001 auditor training.

Responsibilities

Maintain and improve the site Quality Management System to address industry requirements, business needs, and regional alignment.
Build partnerships and coordinate with stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
Ensure quality issues and complaints are analyzed and resolved accurately and promptly.
Manage staffing and talent management for primary site Quality team members.
Support on-site internal, customer, and third-party audits and help close resulting action requests.
Participate in site-specific customer calls.
Serve on the Material Review Board to support timely, effective material resolution.
Support annual site Management Reviews.
Review and update designated site quality documents for compliance with ISO Quality Standards.
Identify continuous improvement opportunities for Quality Management processes and systems based on feedback, audits, and complaints.
Assist with and facilitate customer complaint investigations.
Maintain an awareness program to improve understanding of product applications and the effects of quality defects.
Facilitate major change projects by assembling cross-functional teams, arranging data analysis, and generating reports.
Share Quality Learnings.
Supervise daily Quality Control Laboratory operations and ensure timely, accurate testing of raw materials as needed, in-process samples, and finished goods.
Ensure testing follows approved methods, specifications, and quality procedures.
Review and approve laboratory results and product release decisions in alignment with quality standards.
Own the calibration program for laboratory instrumentation and ensure schedules and records are maintained and audit ready.
Coordinate and perform preventative maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment; troubleshoot issues and work with vendors as needed.
Lead investigations and resolution of nonconforming products and out-of-specification results; assist with root-cause analysis, CAPA, and documentation.
Partner with Operations to prevent recurrence and reduce quality escapes.
Lead customer complaint investigations, including data review, sample testing, and corrective actions.
Support continuous improvement initiatives to improve product consistency, batch-to-batch performance, and right-first-time quality.
Maintain laboratory organization, cleanliness, and safety in accordance 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, and support training, competency development, and professional growth of direct reports.
Promote accountability, safety, and data integrity within the laboratory.
Track and report key quality metrics to site and/or corporate leadership.
Support the company's vision, mission, and guiding principles; ensure associates and contract personnel follow applicable Safety, Health, Quality, and Environmental requirements and use appropriate personal protective equipment when required.
Attend relevant training opportunities and seminars; follow company operating procedures and employment, safety, and quality policies; understand the company Quality Policy and the role's contribution.
Perform other duties as assigned.