Lab Manager (Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials)

About the role

Are you an experienced laboratory leader with a background in plastics, materials testing, and quality systems? Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials is seeking a Lab Manager to lead our R&D Laboratory in Fort Wayne, IN. 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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Qualifications

• 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

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

Pay