QC Lab Supervisor

Lanxess; Washington; On-site; USD 88,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

HSA

Life Insurance

Disability

FSAs

NortonLifeLock security

Aflac Benefits

Legal Assistance

401(k)

Job summary

The Kalama QC Laboratory Supervisor at LANXESS Deutschland GmbH leads daily QC lab operations, ensuring timely release of finished goods and 24/7 coverage. You will review data, drive improvements, and coach a team of seven QC chemists in a fast-paced regulatory environment.

Based in Kalama, WA, this role offers a comprehensive benefits package and a compensation range of $88,400 to $147,400 and a global bonus program, reflecting LANXESS standards for quality and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Chemistry or Data Science preferred).
• 5–10 years of QC or laboratory experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Hands-on experience handling chemicals and laboratory-scale procedures.
• Experience with instrumental analysis (GC, FTIR, spectrometry).
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems, FSSC 22000 food safety management systems, food and pharmaceutical cGMPs.
• Strong communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). SAP experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily QC laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Review and approve analytical data, trends, finished goods results, calibrations, verifications, validations, and equipment qualifications.
• Troubleshoot analytical issues and provide technical guidance; provide backup testing support as needed.
• Develop, improve, and implement laboratory methods and procedures; support new method and equipment implementation.
• Partner with Operations and R&D on process improvement, efficiency, and cost-savings initiatives.
• Ensure laboratory compliance with applicable quality, food safety, pharmaceutical, and regulatory requirements.
• Train, coach, and develop QC staff to ensure competency and timely data reporting.
• Schedule and manage laboratory staffing for 24/7 coverage, 365 days per year.
• Support laboratory budgeting, inventory management, purchasing, and invoice approvals.
• Participate in audits and conduct internal lab safety and housekeeping audits.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

GC

FTIR

Spectrometry

Microsoft Office

SAP

Job description

Job Highlights

The Quality Control Laboratory Supervisor provides leadership and technical oversight for the Kalama QC Laboratory, which supports raw material, in-process, finished product, wastewater, and select HSE testing. This role is critical to ensuring timely release of finished goods, supporting operational first-time-right goals, and driving continuous improvement. Seven QC Chemists report to this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily QC laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with relevant quality, food safety, pharmaceutical, regulatory and safety standards.
• Review and approve analytical data, trends, finished goods results, calibrations, verifications, validations, and equipment qualifications.
• Troubleshoot analytical issues and provide technical guidance; provide backup testing support as needed.
• Develop, improve, and implement laboratory methods and procedures; develop and support new method and equipment implementation.
• Partner with Operations and R&D on process improvement, efficiency, and cost-savings initiatives.
• Ensure laboratory compliance with applicable quality, food safety, pharmaceutical, and regulatory requirements.
• Train, coach, and develop QC staff to ensure competency and timely data reporting.
• Schedule and manage laboratory staffing to provide 24/7 coverage, 365 days per year.
• Support laboratory budgeting, inventory management, purchasing, and invoice approvals.
• Participate in internal, external, customer, and regulatory audits; conduct internal lab safety and housekeeping audits.

Experience / Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Chemistry or Data Science preferred).
• 5–10 years of relevant QC or laboratory experience, including leadership or supervisory responsibility.
• Hands‑on experience handling chemicals and following laboratory‑scale procedures.
• Experience with instrumental analysis (GC, FTIR, spectrometry) preferred.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems, FSSC 22000 food safety management systems, food and pharmaceutical cGMPs.
• Strong communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). SAP experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced environment.

Who we are

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with about 12,000 employees in 32 countries. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives and consumer protection products. LANXESS has achieved leading positions in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index and the MSCI ESG and ISS ESG ratings, among others, for its commitment to sustainability.

Be part of it!

What we offer

• Compensation We offer competitive compensation packages, inclusive of a global bonus program. In accordance with Washington state requirements, the established pay range for this position is Min $88,400 to Max $147,400
• Comprehensive Benefits We provide a variety of benefits to support your financial security, health and wellbeing. These benefits include
  • Health care - Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Health Spending Account (HSA) with High Deductible PPO XD
  • Employee Life Insurance - Basic, Supplemental Life and AD&D
  • Dependent Life Insurance and AD&D
  • Disability Coverage - Short-Term and Long-Term
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - Health Care and Dependent Care
  • NortonLifeLock device security, online privacy, and identity theft protection
  • Aflac Benefits
  • Legal Assistance Program
  • Retirement Benefits - Defined Contribution 401(k) Plan with Employer Retirement Contribution and Employer Match
• Work-Life, Time Off & Flexibility We support you in maintaining a balance between working hours and personal life. With our global Xwork program, we offer flexible working arrangements in all countries in which we operate. Washington employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement accrue a minimum of 80 hours of vacation per year; have 10 paid holidays; and accrue 64 hours of Sick/Personal time per year. Employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement earn time off in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
• Training & Development We are committed to your professional and personal development and encourage you in the ongoing pursuit of education, training and knowledge through both formal and informal learning.
• Diversity LANXESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religion, national origin, veteran status and political beliefs.

LANXESS has a value-based performance culture. We are seeking a range of human interests, backgrounds, and experiences that can be engaged to achieve respect, ownership, trust, professionalism, integrity and healing across all sectors.

We are looking to find diverse and talented people to join our team. Studies have shown that some individuals are less likely to apply if they do not meet 100% of the criteria. We are looking to equalize the gap! If you are excited about this role but your past experiences do not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We will look to assess your talent against our competencies, values and requirements to get the best organizational fit. You might be the right candidate for this or other roles we have available!

Join the LANXESS team!