Laboratory Manager - ASH

Company Overview

Italmatch Chemicals is a global specialty chemicals company headquartered in Italy, providing innovative solutions for water treatment, lubricants, energy, oleochemicals, plastics, and other specialty markets.

Founded in 1998, the company has grown through strategic acquisitions and now operates 20 manufacturing plants, 8 R&D centers, and employs more than 1,100 people across 16 countries.

Driven by innovation and sustainability, Italmatch is committed to delivering advanced chemical solutions that support customers worldwide while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for managing 1-2 QC Technicians while leading daily and long-term Quality Control activities of the Ashtabula Plant Quality Control Laboratory.  This position will provide leadership as well as plan and implement continuous improvement projects for lab instruments, procedures, and processes.  Lab Manager will facilitate the output of timely and reliable data for the purpose of process control and product release, as well as ensuring adherence to the Quality, Food & Pharmaceutical, and Environmental compliance of finished product.  This position reports to the Technical Director.

Key duties include but not limited to the following:

• Supervise lab employees; Includes maintaining work schedule, approving weekly timecards, providing necessary training, selecting employees as required. Counsel employees and document performance including performance reviews.
• Ensure training, proficiency, and development of laboratory technicians in the areas of raw material, finished product testing, and cGMP programs.
• Monitoring, creating, and troubleshooting analytical methods to ensure accuracy and to reduce method variability.
• Report and evaluate product and equipment nonconformances working with Quality Assurance in root cause determination and corrective actions.
• Ensure standardization, maintenance, and optimization of QC lab data inputs and outputs including analytical testing schedules for internal and external testing, as well as KPI’s and metrics for success.
• Maintain QC laboratory equipment including calibration program, selection, installation, validation, MSA, Gage R&R, and maintenance schedules.
• Develop and follow procedures for laboratory compliance to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and cGMP requirements (Food and Pharma).
• Provide oversight of the HCl Production Planning and provide back-up to the HCl Production Planner as required.

General Requirements:

• Experience in determining root cause analysis and providing corrective action and or preventative action within a set of regulated specifications.
• Trace metal analysis via ICPMS.
• Ability to trouble shoot standard lab equipment (ICPMS, Titrators, etc)
• Experience of working within batch chemical manufacturing environment.
• Essential supervisory skills to foster team environment.
• Solid understanding of Microsoft Office, Statistics, and cGMP, cGLP, ISO, USP-NF, FCC, HACCP desired

Requirements:  Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Special Physical Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biology, or similar science field
• 10 or more years of relevant experience preferred.
• 5 years direct analytical laboratory experience.
• 5 years of laboratory experience in food or pharmaceutical setting preferred
• Previous supervisory experience
• Knowledge of analytical methods and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of Statistical Process Control techniques.
• Ability to simultaneously organize and supervise a wide variety of projects and tasks.
• Ability to cope with workplace stress. 
• Knowledge of SAP or equivalent management program. 

Must pass Department of Homeland Security background check, pre-placement physical and pre-employment drug-screen.

Working Conditions:

• Requires work in a chemical manufacturing plant using potentially hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals and equipment
• Strength: Standing 60% of time, Sitting 30% of time and Walking 10% of time, Lifting:  55 lbs., Carrying:  55 lbs. 
• Occasional lifting and carrying of pails of product.
• Speaking & Hearing:  Interact with all plant groups as well as the plants environmental consultants.
• Seeing:  Must be able to read and follow written instructions.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, 401K, and vacation 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Italmatch Chemicals/The Elco Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.