Fragrance Sample Lab and Shipping Manager

Bell Flavors & Fragrances; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits eligible

Job summary

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. seeks a hands-on, highly organized Fragrance Sample Lab & Shipping Manager to lead the daily operations of our Sample Laboratory and sample shipping functions in Northbrook.

This role combines people leadership, laboratory operations, quality oversight, safety coordination, and customer-focused execution. You will own daily workflow, lead Laboratory Technicians, ensure accurate sample prep and timely shipments, and drive continuous improvement in quality and

Qualifications

• Requires associate or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical science, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years laboratory experience; education plus experience considered.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication, good judgment, problem-solving.
• Ability to collaborate across levels while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, and prioritize daily work for Technician team to meet deadlines.
• Provide hands-on support with sample compounding and lab activities as needed.
• Coordinate preparation, packaging, and shipment of outgoing samples.
• Build cross-training and backup coverage to ensure continuity.
• Train, mentor, and supervise Laboratory Technicians on procedures and safety.
• Monitor team performance and reinforce standards for productivity and quality.
• Partner with Sales and internal teams to set realistic timelines for requests.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and lead process-improvement initiatives.
• Oversee development and validation activities that support commercialization while protecting formulas.
• Manage laboratory supplies and equipment-maintenance programs.
• Investigate quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate stability-testing programs and evaluate fragrance samples.
• Lead safety compliance, training, and emergency-preparedness activities.
• Set goals and provide feedback for direct reports.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in chemistry/chemical science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Portfolio/Project management systems

Job description

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. is seeking a hands-on, highly organized Fragrance Sample Lab & Shipping Manager to lead the daily operations of our Sample Laboratory and sample shipping functions in Northbrook. This position combines people leadership, laboratory operations, quality oversight, safety coordination, and customer-focused execution.

What You Will Own

• Daily laboratory workflow, project prioritization, and on-time execution of sample requests.
• Leadership, training, coaching, performance management, and development of assigned Laboratory Technicians.
• Accurate preparation, packaging, coordination, and shipment of fragrance samples.
• Laboratory quality, formula confidentiality, data security, equipment readiness, and supply availability.
• Departmental safety leadership as Safety Coordinator and Fire Captain.
• Continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen quality, efficiency, service, and operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, and prioritize daily work across the Technician team to meet project deadlines and customer commitments.
• Provide hands-on support with sample compounding and other laboratory activities as needed.
• Coordinate the preparation, packaging, and shipment of outgoing samples, securing additional resources when required.
• Build cross-training programs and backup coverage plans to maintain continuity across essential team functions.
• Train, mentor, and supervise Laboratory Technicians on procedures, quality expectations, safety requirements, and best practices.
• Monitor team performance and reinforce standards for productivity, accuracy, quality, service, and safety.
• Partner with Sales and other internal stakeholders to establish realistic, customer-focused timelines for sample requests.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures while leading process-improvement and efficiency initiatives.
• Oversee specification development and validation activities that support commercialization while protecting confidential formulas and laboratory data.
• Manage laboratory supplies and equipment-maintenance programs and help ensure the quality of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished fragrances.
• Investigate quality issues, determine root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate assigned stability-testing programs and evaluate fragrance samples across multiple applications.
• Lead departmental safety compliance, training, and emergency-preparedness activities.
• Set goals, provide continuous feedback, support professional development, and manage the performance of assigned direct reports.

Required Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical science, or a related scientific discipline.
• At least three years of laboratory experience; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety practices and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and effective problem-solving ability.
• Ability to collaborate across organizational levels while maintaining accuracy, quality, confidentiality, and customer focus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience leading, training, mentoring, or supervising laboratory personnel.
• Experience developing SOPs, improving laboratory processes, or supporting quality investigations.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office and portfolio or project management systems.

What Success Looks Like

You are a visible, hands-on leader who creates structure without losing speed. You communicate expectations clearly, build trust across teams, protect product and formula integrity, and respond to changing priorities with sound judgment. You bring technical credibility, ethical conduct, initiative, business awareness, and a consistent focus on results.

Why Join Bell?

• You will join a collaborative environment to work across teams
• Make a visible impact by improving laboratory operations, quality, safety, and customer service.
• Develop your leadership skills while coaching and supporting a talented laboratory team.
• Gain broad exposure by partnering with Sales, R&D, Quality, Operations, and other departments.
• Receive a competitive salary of $42,500-$80,000 per year, based on qualifications and experience.
• Access competitive benefits available to eligible regular full-time employees.

Ready to make an Impact?

If you are a laboratory professional who enjoys developing people, improving operations, and delivering accurate, high-quality work in a fast-moving environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.