What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Manager – Masterbatch position at CEO Inc.?
Laboratory Manager – Masterbatch
Greater Charlotte, North Carolina Area / US Citizenship or Fully executed GC Required
(Must have Experience in Polymers and Plastics -No Exceptions)
We are partnering with a growing organization in the plastics and materials industry that is looking to add a technically strong, hands-on Laboratory Manager to lead daily lab operations, support product development initiatives, and drive continuous improvement across quality and testing functions.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys balancing technical laboratory work, leadership responsibilities, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration within a manufacturing and materials-focused environment.
If you have experience leading laboratory teams within plastics, chemicals, polymers, materials science, or manufacturing environments, this could be a strong next step.
What You’ll Be Doing
Lead Laboratory Operations
- Oversee daily laboratory activities including testing workflows, scheduling, equipment utilization, calibration coordination, and inventory management
- Drive operational efficiency, organization, and process optimization within the lab environment
- Maintain laboratory documentation and testing procedures aligned with industry standards including ISO and ASTM
- Ensure laboratory compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory requirements
Manage and Develop the Laboratory Team
- Lead, mentor, and support laboratory technicians and staff
- Assign priorities, monitor workloads, and help develop technical capabilities across the team
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance development initiatives
- Foster a collaborative, high-accountability laboratory culture
Support R&D and Product Development
- Partner closely with R&D, manufacturing, and quality teams on new product development initiatives
- Analyze laboratory and materials data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities
- Support formulation, testing, validation, and product qualification activities
- Contribute technical insight to ongoing research projects and process improvements
Drive Quality & Compliance Initiatives
- Develop and improve quality control procedures and testing methodologies
- Support statistical process control (SPC), quality analysis, and reporting initiatives
- Investigate non-conformances, testing discrepancies, and quality-related issues
- Assist with regulatory and documentation projects related to the plastics industry
- Support Global TDS initiatives and related compliance activities
Technical Skills & Experience We’re Looking For
Strong Experience With:
- Laboratory operations management
- Quality control systems and documentation
- ISO and ASTM testing standards
- Laboratory instrumentation and analytical equipment
- Data analysis, reporting, and trend evaluation
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Root cause analysis and problem-solving
- Cross-functional project coordination
- Process improvement initiatives
- Team leadership and technician development
Industry Experience Preferred:
- Plastics manufacturing
- Polymer materials
- Chemicals or specialty materials
- Compounding, resins, additives, or materials testing
- Manufacturing quality systems
- CGMP environments
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or related technical field preferred
- 5 years of laboratory experience with prior leadership or supervisory responsibilities
- Strong understanding of laboratory procedures, testing methods, and quality systems
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment
- Strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
- High-visibility leadership role within a growing technical organization
- Opportunity to influence lab operations, quality systems, and R&D initiatives
- Collaborative environment with strong interaction across engineering, manufacturing, and product development teams
- Exposure to advanced materials and plastics-related technologies
- Career growth potential within a technically driven organization