What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Lab Manager, Center of Excellence position at Chase Corporation?
About Chase Corporation
Founded in 1946 we have grown to become a global specialty chemicals company that is a leading manufacturer of protective materials for high-reliability applications across diverse market sectors.
Today we employ nearly 800 people and continue to grow and strengthen our business by employing a related diversification strategy that combines organic growth initiatives with strategic acquisitions.
Based in Westwood, Massachusetts, USA we operate manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia and continue to invest in our capabilities in order to deliver value to our global customer base demands.
Role Overview
The Technical Lab Manager leads the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Frankfurt and serves as the primary technical authority for material validation, laboratory operations, and advanced failure analysis for Chase’s industrial and electronics businesses. This role drives customer intimacy by translating failure analysis and application insights into actionable engineering solutions while managing laboratory teams and capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Laboratory Management
- Serve as site lead and primary technical authority for the Frankfurt Center of Excellence.
- Lead and develop laboratory technicians through performance management, training, and coaching.
- Oversee daily laboratory operations, including resource allocation, equipment maintenance, calibration, and safety compliance.
Material Validation & Failure Analysis
- Manage material validation processes in compliance with industry standards (UL, IPC, IEC, MIL) and customer specifications.
- Lead failure analysis investigations of customer assemblies and materials to determine root cause.
- Recommend corrective actions, engineering solutions, and material or process improvements.
Customer & Commercial Collaboration
- Act as the primary technical interface for customers, supporting application challenges and technology selection.
- Collaborate with commercial teams to support growth initiatives and customer programs.
- Train customers, distributors, and commercial teams on application technologies and best practices.
Continuous Improvement & New Product Support
- Drive continuous improvement of test methods, analytical capabilities, and standard work within the CoE.
- Support new product development, validation, and alpha testing activities.
- Contribute to technical reports, customer presentations, and internal documentation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- 7 years of experience in electronics manufacturing, specialty chemicals, or protective materials.
- 3–5 years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.
- Strong expertise in polymer chemistry, automated dispensing/coating systems, SMT processes, and materials testing.
- Fluent in German with strong English proficiency preferred.