Lab Chemist Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for maintaining current materials and formulating new materials including powder, liquid and gel products to meet project goals and deadlines, follow industry standards on scientific significance, accuracy, safety and record keeping, optimizing formulated ingredients to meet cost objectives and to manage availability of raw materials, managing daily laboratory operations and schedules, monitoring equipment operations and maintain cleanliness in the laboratory, training and supervising scientific staff.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Writes and / or reviews procedures, specifications needed to support quality and product development activities.
• Develops and validates test methods for use in product development and quality assurance activities.
• Works with Sales and Marketing on new formula development activities, outlines projects and sets timelines
• Timely communicates all information regarding formulation, project status, results, etc. to appropriate individuals
• Documents test results, sets specifications, directs scale-up activities from pilot to commercial manufacturing runs
• Conduct studies on the long-term stability of products
• Provides analytical support using FTIR and GC analysis both internally and to support customer needs
• Review competitive products and trade publications and prepare reports on comparative tests
• Conducts intellectual searches for technical information through a variety of resources, including the Internet
• Tracks current trends, practices, developments, and regulatory changes
• Provides technical knowledge assistance and leadership to Lab technicians
• Interacts with customers, customer service and field service reps to resolve customer issues as needed
• Contacts vendors to resolve quality issues, collects data on vendor non-conformances and issues monthly reports
• Tracks COPQ related to both internal and external Quality issues, issue reports to Management monthly
• Evaluate new and alternative raw materials for functionality and stability
• Reformulate to improve existing products as needed
• Designs experimental studies to provide supporting data or to resolve technical issues encountered during a project
• Proposes and implements recommendations to processes and designed to increase efficiency, safety, or quality
• Maintain current training records for required procedures.
• Develops manufacturing instructions, scale up batches, and transfer processes into manufacturing
• Perform special projects as needed and any other tasks assigned by Manager
• Maintains product formulations and specifications
• Works with Production to evaluate test data on any out-of-specification or non-conforming product to immediately resolve issues;

makes adjustments to in-process batches

• Prepare laboratory batches in the development of new products, or as needed to evaluate batching issues.
• Maintains the calibration of equipment; maintains equipment and Laboratory in accordance with GLP.
• Maintains quality documents, records, and files; compiles, stores, and retrieves test data, production data, comparison data, etc. when requested.
• Analyzes data and prepares monthly reports for management review; analyze trends and recommend actions based on trends.
• Be proficient in use of all SAP transactions as required for production and development activities.
• Serves as back-up to Lab Manager in all SAP related duties

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related area from a four-year college or university
• 2-4 years related experience and / or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in an R&D environment
• Experience with analytical procedures and equipment such as ICP, FTIR, GC and HPLC, UV / Vis, MS, etc.
• Organization or participation in collaborative studies, demonstrated self-motivation, initiative and creativity;
• Good interpersonal skills including good team building and management skills

Vaco values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

EEO Notice

Vaco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.