Quality Assurance Lab Manager

AluChem, Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Company paid Short Term Disability and

401(k) + 4% match

Paid Holidays + Vacation

Bonus Eligibility

Small + Collaborative Leadership Team

Job summary

AluChem, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Quality Assurance Lab Manager to lead the laboratory and quality-control activities. The role blends technical lab work with people leadership, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will supervise lab personnel, oversee product testing and documentation, support investigations and customer quality concerns, and partner with Production, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Service to ensure our products meet requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant science/engineering field.
• Experience in a laboratory, QA, QC, or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with laboratory testing, chemical analysis, analytical equipment, calibration, and quality documentation.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, test results, and quality data.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead others across multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, coach, schedule, and evaluate Quality Assurance lab staff.
• Oversee testing/inspection of incoming, in-process, and finished materials.
• Ensure accurate sampling, testing, reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Oversee chemical analyses and equipment calibration/maintenance.
• Review and approve COAs and quality documents.
• Develop and improve lab procedures, forms, and training materials.
• Monitor quality data to identify issues and risks.
• Investigate quality concerns with cross-functional teams.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Determine disposition of nonconforming material.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Laboratory equipment calibration

Job description

AluChem is a family-oriented manufacturing company seeking a hands-on Quality Assurance Lab Manager to lead our laboratory and quality-control activities. This is a key leadership role for someone who enjoys combining technical laboratory work, people leadership, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

The Quality Assurance Lab Manager will lead laboratory personnel, oversee product testing and quality documentation, support investigations and customer quality concerns, and partner with Production, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Service to ensure our products consistently meet company and customer requirements.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with FSA and HSA options
• Company paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
• 401(k) + 4% match
• Paid Holidays + Vacation
• Bonus Eligibility
• Small + Collaborative Leadership Team

What You’ll Do

• Lead, train, coach, schedule, and evaluate Quality Assurance laboratory employees.
• Oversee testing and inspection of incoming materials, in-process materials, and finished products.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and consistent sampling, testing, reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Oversee chemical analyses and the safe use, maintenance, calibration, and verification of laboratory and analytical equipment.
• Review and approve Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and other quality documentation.
• Develop, maintain, and improve laboratory procedures, work instructions, specifications, forms, and training materials.
• Monitor quality data and trends to identify issues, improvement opportunities, and potential risks.
• Partner with Production, Engineering, and management to investigate quality concerns, process issues, and nonconforming materials.
• Lead or support root-cause analysis and corrective actions related to product quality and customer complaints.
• Work with department leaders to determine the appropriate disposition of rejected or nonconforming material.
• Serve as a quality and technical resource for internal teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Support customer and supplier communications related to product quality, testing, specifications, and technical concerns.
• Manage laboratory supplies, equipment needs, outside testing, training needs, and the department budget.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Support continuous improvement efforts that improve product quality, reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, another relevant science or engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
• Experience in a laboratory, quality assurance, quality control, or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with laboratory testing, sampling, chemical analysis, analytical equipment, calibration, and quality documentation.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, test results, and quality data.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead others and work effectively across multiple departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive quality, laboratory, or manufacturing experience.
• Prior leadership, supervisory, training, or employee-development experience.
• Experience in chemical processing, minerals, materials, industrial manufacturing, or a related environment.
• Experience investigating quality concerns, analyzing root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience working with Certificates of Analysis, quality databases, and customer specifications.

AluChem is an equal opportunity employer.