Lab Manager

Performance Fluid Experts Group; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Performance Fluid Experts Group is seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to lead the analytical laboratory, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with quality systems. The role collaborates with CM, RD&E, and Operations to support testing, data integrity, and process optimization.

The candidate will mentor staff, manage testing workloads, and leverage digital tools to enhance efficiency and data analytics, while ensuring safe, compliant laboratory practices across all

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related scientific discipline.
• 8–10 years of experience in an analytical, industrial, or technical services laboratory environment.
• 3–5 years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience with ICP, MP‑AES, IC, HPLC, GC, FTIR, physical property testing, and related instrumentation.
• Experience implementing or optimizing QBench or other LIMS platforms.
• Experience in ISO 9001 and/or ISO 17025 environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily operations of the analytical laboratory.
• Ensure laboratory testing activities are performed safely, accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with approved procedures.
• Manage laboratory workload, resource allocation, testing priorities, and KPI performance.
• Oversee sample receipt, testing, reporting, storage, retention, and disposal activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, turnaround time, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Administrators.
• Promote a data‑driven culture leveraging analytics, automation, AI, and digital tools.
• Support QBench LIMS implementation, adoption, optimization, validation, and data governance.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Continuous improvement

Quality systems

Analytical method development

Data-driven culture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science

Tools

QBench LIMS

ICP/MP‑AES/IC/HPLC/GC/FTIR

Job description

Summary

The Laboratory Manager role is within our KOST USA division and will be responsible for the leadership, management, and continuous improvement of laboratory operations supporting Technical Services, Condition Monitoring (CM), Quality, Operations, and RD&E. The role is accountable for laboratory operational excellence, analytical quality, equipment reliability, quality system compliance and ensuring laboratory services effectively support the Condition Monitoring program.

Laboratory Operations Management

• Lead and manage daily operations of the analytical laboratory.
• Ensure laboratory testing activities are performed safely, accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with approved procedures.
• Manage laboratory workload, resource allocation, testing priorities, and KPI performance.
• Oversee sample receipt, testing, reporting, storage, retention, and disposal activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, turnaround time, and customer satisfaction.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Administrators.
• Drive adoption, effective utilization, training, and competency development associated with QBench LIMS.
• Promote a data-driven culture leveraging analytics, automation, AI, and digital tools.
• Support succession planning, workforce development, and knowledge transfer.

Condition Monitoring Program Support

• Ensure laboratory resources effectively support the Condition Monitoring (CM) program.
• Coordinate with the CM team to ensure timely testing and reporting of customer samples.
• Support analytical requirements for Data Center Thermal Fluids (DCTF), ICE, and Industrial Fluid Applications (IFA).
• Support failure investigations, fluid performance assessments, and root cause analyses.

Laboratory Equipment Reliability & Asset Management

• Maintain vendor maintenance agreements, troubleshooting support contracts, calibration agreements, and equipment service contracts.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure rapid technical support and maximum equipment availability.
• Maintain critical spare-parts inventories and consumables to minimize equipment downtime.
• Coordinate equipment troubleshooting, repairs, preventive maintenance, and root cause investigations.
• Manage capital equipment acquisition, upgrades, qualification, and replacement planning.

Analytical Testing & Technical Excellence

• Provide technical leadership for ICP, MP-AES, IC, HPLC, GC, FTIR, physical property testing, and related analytical methods.
• Develop, validate, implement, and improve analytical methods and testing procedures.
• Review analytical data and investigate anomalies.
• Support product stewardship, quality, operations, RD&E, and customer-facing technical services.

Quality Systems, Procedures & Documentation

• Develop, review, approve, implement, and maintain laboratory SOPs, work instructions, test methods, and forms.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and company quality requirements.
• Ensure document control, training records, and method documentation remain current and effective.

QBench LIMS Leadership & Data Governance

• Support implementation, adoption, optimization, validation, and continuous improvement of QBench LIMS.
• Ensure all laboratory personnel effectively utilize QBench and associated digital systems.
• Establish data governance standards ensuring data integrity, traceability, accessibility, and security.
• Develop KPIs related to workflow efficiency, turnaround time, reporting quality, and system utilization.
• Utilize QBench as the foundation for sample tracking, reporting analytics, and future AI/ML initiatives.

Industry Standards, Proficiency Testing & Continuous Improvement

• Lead participation in ASTM and relevant industry programs.
• Coordinate proficiency testing, inter-laboratory comparison programs, and ASTM cross-check activities.
• Lead internal and external Repeatability and Reproducibility (R&R) studies.
• Implement corrective actions resulting from audits, proficiency testing, and quality investigations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in an analytical, industrial, or technical services laboratory environment.
• Minimum 3-5 years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience with ICP, MP-AES, IC, HPLC, GC, FTIR, physical property testing, and related instrumentation.
• Experience implementing or optimizing QBench or other LIMS platforms.
• Experience in ISO 9001 and/or ISO 17025 environments.