In this role, you will lead a team of eight Laboratory Specialists and Technicians, oversee moderate and high-complexity material testing, and maintain the laboratory's ISO 17025-based management system and accreditation. You'll combine technical laboratory leadership with people management, customer support, budgeting, validation, and continuous improvement while providing critical testing support for polyethylene and related materials.
If you're a hands-on laboratory leader who enjoys developing people, strengthening quality systems, and ensuring technical excellence, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our R&D organization.
What You'll DoLead & Develop the Laboratory Team
- Lead, train, supervise, and develop Laboratory Specialists and Technicians
- Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, personnel, and testing activities
- Ensure the team consistently performs accurate, high-quality testing and analysis
- Promote strong laboratory practices, technical rigor, and effective documentation
- Serve as a role model while creating an environment focused on quality, accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Own ISO 17025 & Laboratory Quality
- Maintain all aspects of the laboratory's ISO 17025 accreditation
- Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, protocols, standards, change controls, and risk management practices
- Ensure laboratory testing and documentation meet internal and external Lab Management System requirements
- Maintain specimen and physical property result integrity through proper fabrication procedures and testing methods
- Ensure compliance with applicable quality control, quality assurance, and safety requirements
Drive Testing & Technical Excellence
- Oversee moderate and high-complexity material property testing, analysis, review, and reporting
- Research and implement new test methods to support new polymer products and processes
- Provide technical testing support for medical and industrial polyethylene applications
- Support Production, Sales, Quality, Customer Support, and other internal stakeholders
- Implement new laboratory programs, testing methods, instrumentation, and procedures
- Investigate testing alternatives, prepare proposals, conduct parallel testing, and monitor implementation progress
Lead Validation & Equipment Qualification
- Develop validation protocols supporting the qualification and validation of laboratory equipment, processes, and facilities
- Lead or support IQ, OQ, PQ, and TMV protocols
- Develop operational SOPs, change controls, and user, functional, and design specifications
- Establish equipment quality standards and troubleshooting procedures
- Ensure proper calibration, service, repair, replacement, and ongoing performance of laboratory equipment
Manage Laboratory Operations & Investment
- Develop and manage the laboratory operating budget
- Lead short and long-term fiscal planning for laboratory operations
- Develop and maintain the laboratory's capital plan in partnership with the Global Technology Manager
- Ensure laboratory systems, equipment, and resources are positioned to support current and future business needs
- Balance technical requirements, operational efficiency, and financial performance
Partner with Customers & the Business
- Quote customer testing projects while maintaining the profitability of laboratory activities
- Manage relationships with testing customers, vendors, service providers, and suppliers
- Provide technical and testing support for the MediTECH business unit
- Support regulatory organizations as needed
- Develop specialty testing services for target customers
- Present technical information and respond effectively to managers, customers, clients, and regulatory authorities
What We're Looking For
- 3–5 years of experience within the plastics industry
- 2–3 years of progressive laboratory experience
- Experience with an ISO 17025 Quality Management System
- Experience performing high-complexity laboratory testing
- Strong managerial capabilities with the ability to lead and direct others
- Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills
- Experience with production and time management
- Excellent interpersonal and professional communication skills
- Strong commitment to quality, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of technical rigor
- Business fluency in English
- Ability to travel occasionally
Technical Skills
- ISO 17025 laboratory management systems
- High-complexity materials testing
- Statistical methods and data analysis preferred
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Minitab
- Laboratory equipment qualification and validation
- IQ, OQ, PQ, and TMV protocols
- Quality and technical documentation
What Will Help You Succeed
We're looking for someone who combines strong laboratory expertise with effective people leadership. You'll be successful in this position if you are highly detail-oriented, comfortable making technical decisions, committed to quality, and able to balance laboratory operations with customer and business needs. The role also requires someone who can build strong relationships across functions while maintaining the integrity and independence required of an accredited testing laboratory.
If you're an experienced laboratory professional who enjoys leading people, advancing testing capabilities, and maintaining the highest standards of quality and technical accuracy, we encourage you to apply and join our R&D team in Fort Wayne, IN.
The salary range for this position is $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 USD Annual. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary will be subject to a geographic adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.
