Our customer is seeking a Lab Manager for their chemical development company.  The Lab Manager will be the main chemist in the facility and have oversight of 3 individuals in R&D and QC.  

This small family owned business has a 40 year history of creating emulsions and specialty chemicals for the coatings and craft industries.  Their main chemistries are in silicone, but will also consider chemists who are versed in acrylics, urethanes, or epoxies.  The ideal candidate will be able to lead activities and projects in formulation, process manufacturing, and support quality control.  

Some key responsibilities include: 

Product Development:  encapsulates activities ranging from the bench scale to first-run plant capability and includes synthetic products, formulated products and customer-specific starting point formulae using methodology that meet the following criteria:

1. Cost-effectiveness
2. Scalability
3. Safe handling of chemicals and equipment
4. Customer specifications
5. Compliance with both internal and external standards of environmental product and health impacts and technology sustainability
6. Compliance with the scientific method of inquiry
7. Rigorous application of statistical and experimental design protocols

Process Development: With assistance from the R&D Chemists and Plant Manager, new process instructions are designed and written. 

1. Manages the product development workflow by overseeing the projects assigned to the R&D Chemists (2).
2. Consults with production team and Plant Manager to determine limitations and best options for new processes.
3. Consults with Plant Engineer to ensure all necessary equipment is capable of performing new process.
4. Makes recommendations regarding quality assurance methodology.

Technical Service and Networking:

1. Provides technical assistance to the Sales team by investigating and assisting with or solving customer complaints, addressing customer technical inquires and educating Sales team on new products.
2. Works in conjunction with the Marketing Department to develop sales and safety literature including Technical Data Sheets, Safety Data Sheets and Product Overviews as needed.

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BS in Chemistry or equivalent; 3 or more years laboratory experience in the product development area, or other closely related areas.  2 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.  Silicone chemistry a plus but not must have. Polymer formulation experience (acrylics, epoxies, urethanes in 1k or 2k chemistry important). 

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