Laboratory Manager

Lab Manager

The Lab Manager leads and develops the analytical and physical testing laboratory supporting flexible packaging across both plastic films and paper substrates. This role ensures technical excellence, method reliability, safety, and data integrity while fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment for analytical scientists and laboratory technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development
• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team, providing coaching, performance management, and training.
• Cultivate a team-oriented, collaborative environment aligned with Novolex values.
• Set team priorities and balance workloads.
• Laboratory Operations Management
• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations, including scheduling, safety, and resource allocation.
• Establish and track laboratory KPIs.
• Manage laboratory budgeting and equipment planning.
• Technical Oversight
• Provide direction and oversight for testing including chemical, thermal, rheological, optical, and physical property testing.
• Demonstrated proficiency with mechanical, thermal, and spectroscopic techniques is required. Expertise with TGA, DSC, FTIR, GC-MS, mechanical load frame testing, and optical microscopy is preferred. Both academic and job-related experience is acceptable.
• Expertise in the assessment of the fundamental properties of polymers and materials is required along with an understanding of secondary and tertiary packaging test methods is ideal as well.
• Knowledge of polymer and materials processing techniques commonly used within the packaging industry is preferred.
• Experience in the identification and quantification of the materials and additives utilize to manufacture plastic and paper-based packaging. Knowledge of analytical methods used to quantify materials, additives, and coatings at the molecular level is required.
• Record of successful new analytical testing method development and scientific report writing.
• Lead method development, validation, and ensure SOP adherence.
• Quality, Compliance & Data Integrity
• Lead root-cause analysis for customer complaints and out-of-spec results
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Operations, R&D, Quality, and Commercial teams.
• Continuous Improvement
• Drive improvements in automation, data systems, and statistical rigor.
• Ability to collaborate on multidisciplinary teams as required to reach research and business goals.
• Flexibility and the ability to manage and prioritize test requests from multiple business units and stakeholders.
• Ability to set goals and tasks to effectively manage and execute multiple projects with competing deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of deep technical analysis experience in plastics and paper packaging materials.
• Experience managing a team of analytical scientists and lab technicians.
• Master's degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Packaging Science, Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, or related field.
• Experience with LIMS and digital data systems.
• Familiarity with recyclable and sustainable packaging technologies.

Company Benefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.