Laboratory Manager

Plastic Executive Recruiters; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with match

PTO & holidays

On-site role in Greater Atlanta

Job summary

Plastic Executive Recruiters seeks a senior laboratory leader to drive a greenfield lab build-out in the Greater Atlanta area. You will oversee layout, equipment installation, commissioning, and validation, ensuring ASTM-aligned testing methods and data integrity.

You will hire and mentor technicians, collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D and Quality, and push rapid development of recycled polyolefin composites in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• BS+ in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or related field; Advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years laboratory experience in polymers, thermoplastics, composites, or building materials.
• 2+ years leadership experience in a laboratory environment.
• Strong thermoplastics background; polyolefin experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience with analytical and mechanical testing of plastics.
• Experience building or scaling lab operations.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, startup-like manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead greenfield laboratory build-out (layout, equipment install, commissioning, validation).
• Establish ASTM-aligned testing methods, SOPs, data integrity, and SPC systems.
• Support recycled polyolefin composite development and production startup.
• Hire and develop laboratory technicians (2 in Year 1; 3–4 long term).
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, and Quality.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical testing

Mechanical testing

Startup environment

Education

BS in Materials Science/Polymer Science/Chemistry

Job description

What You\’ll Own

• Lead greenfield laboratory build-out (layout, equipment install, commissioning, validation)


• Establish ASTM-aligned testing methods, SOPs, data integrity, and SPC systems


• Support recycled polyolefin composite development and production startup


• Hire and develop laboratory technicians (2 in Year 1; 3–4 long term)


• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, and Quality

What We\\u2019re Looking For

• BS+ in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or related field (Advanced degree preferred)


• 5+ years laboratory experience in polymers, thermoplastics, composites, or building materials


• 2+ years leadership experience in a laboratory environment


• Strong thermoplastics background required; polyolefin experience preferred


• Hands-on experience with analytical and mechanical testing of plastics


• Experience building or scaling lab operations strongly preferred


• Comfortable in a fast-paced, startup-like manufacturing environment

• Relocation assistance available (case-by-case reimbursement)

• Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, PTO and holidays

• On-site role in the Greater Atlanta area