Laboratory Manager

We're Watts. Together, we're reimagining the future of water.

We feel proud every day about what we do. We're all part of the same crucial mission, no matter what function we support it's to provide safe, clean water for the world, and to protect our planet's most valuable resource.

What we do :

For 150 years, Watts has built best-in-class products that are trusted bycustomers in residential and commercial settings across the world.

We areat theforefront of innovation, working with cutting-edge technology to provide smart andconnected, sustainable water solutions for the future.

Watts is a leading brand with aquality reputation - and we have a dynamic future ahead.

This role will manage supplies, equipment scheduling, and training for the R&D laboratory at HF Scientific, Fort Myers, FL.

This role will assist in development and manage testing of new analytical chemistry formulations and new water quality testing instrumentation.

This position will focus on development of water quality testing instrumentation, adapting chemistry for these instruments and construction of calibration curves as well as perform duties necessary to maintain efficient daily operation of the laboratory.

Performs all other work as required.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES :

• Purchase and maintain equipment and all consumables (weigh boats, pipettes, etc.) used in the laboratory setting
• Purchase, inventory, maintain, properly store and plan for chemicals used in laboratory setting
• Maintain and enforce proper documentation and organization of all work performed by the department including detailed note taking and maintaining project journals
• Directly interface with other departments and building maintenance for laboratory upkeep as needed.
• Maintain laboratory in a clean and orderly fashion
• New product development of water quality chemistry
• Create, optimize, and test new chemical formulations
• Conduct chemistry analysis using spectroscopy and other bench chemistry techniques
• Lead development of calibration curves for new instrumentation
• Lead testing of prototype instrumentation
• Prepare compounds, reagents, and solutions used in laboratory procedures on a daily basis
• Explore technological integration of related & unrelated applications / products
• Provide instruction on proper chemical testing and processing procedures including mixing times, operating temperatures, and ingredients
• Construct and test proof of concept instrumentation (Requiring basic chemistry, electronics, and computer skills. As well as advanced problem solving)
• Maintain a high level of integrity, responsibility, and organization in conceptualization, design, & repetitive testing of new water quality chemistries and instrumentation
• Use brainstorming / investigation to identify innovative solutions to satisfy market needs
• Analyze and reverse engineer various substances to find their composition
• Interface / collaborate with multiple departments, disciplines, & levels of management to achieve cross-functional goals
• Presentation and demonstration of new concepts and / or newly developed products
• Travel to customer sites for POC and Pilot analyzer installations as needed.
• Perform all duties as necessary between R&D and NPD departments to pass instruments through the Stage Gate process. This may include but is not limited to : extended testing, shelf life testing, conducting product and / or reagent trainings, attending meetings, generating reports, compiling outstanding documents, and speaking as the SME (Subject Matter Expert) when collaborating with others.
• Interface / collaborate / coordinate with external laboratories, universities, and students on projects and schedules both internal and external to Watts.
• Attend regular weekly internal trainings to maintain soft and hard skills in the cross-functional, technological workspace.
• Attend conferences & trade shows to improve company talent & performance culture
• Train / coach new employees as needed
• Performs all other duties as required.

EDUCATION :

Bachelor's in Chemistry or other physical science

MANAGEMENT :

No direct reports

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a R&D, manufacturing, or environmental laboratory setting
• Experience in laboratory management
• Previous experience with preparing chemical formulations
• Familiar with drinking and wastewater analysis
• Experience with data collection via laboratory, portable, and process instrumentation
• Strong math skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Must be able to read and understand various regulatory standards such as GHS, ISO, NSF as needed
• Strong computer skills required including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power Point
• Must be able to write technical documentation
• Familiar with general laboratory safety and chemical hygiene
• Experience with handling and testing biological samples is a plus
• Good grammar, spelling, and proof reading skills
• Must work well with others

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, talk, and / or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.

The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include : close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• WORK ENVIRONMENT :
• Generally, works in a chemical lab environment but is also required to perform job duties in a typical office setting.
• This position regularly requires large amounts of time to be spent using lab equipment, which generally entails regular and repetitive motions along with exposure to loud noises and chemical material.

All safety procedures should be adhered to in these situations.

• This position also requires some amount of time to be spent using computer equipment, which entails regular and repetitive motions.
• Will regularly be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, or chemicals. All safety procedures should be adhered to in each of these situations.
• As required by the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)

Watts in it for you :

• Competitive compensation based on your skills, qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits
• Family building benefits, including paid maternity / paternity leave
• 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Continued professional development opportunities and educational reimbursement
• Additional perks such as fitness reimbursements and employee discount programs
• Learn more about our benefit offerings here : https : / / tapintowattsbenefits.com /

How we work :

At Watts, our culture is team-oriented and supportive. Employees here genuinely care about the quality of their work, and about each other.

Our people are the heart of who we are and contribute to our longevity and continued success.

And this is a place where you can have a big career. No matter your role, there are opportunities for learning and development, and your daily contributions make a meaningful impact on the lives of people who use our products and on the future of water.

Watts is committed to equal employment opportunity. We follow a policy of administering all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, military or veteran status, minorities, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, Watts will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Any employee who needs a reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources.