Manager, Chemical R&D and Lab Operations

Woodstream is the largest independent pest & animal control platform in North America, offering innovative brands with industry-leading efficacy and safety.

Passionate About Chemical Innovation? Lead the Next Generation of Product Development With Us! We have an immediate opportunity for a Manager of Chemical R&D and Lab Operations in Lititz, PA!

At Woodstream, our values drive everything we do:

• Consumer is the Boss – We are committed to listening to and understanding our customers’ needs!
• Invent the Future – Challenge the status quo: Think boldly and creatively!
• Execution is Everything – We are committed to deliver with excellence, speed, and accuracy.
• Collaborate Confidently – We trust, respect, and empower each other to win together.
• Play to Win – We’re bold, ambitious, and relentless in our pursuit of success.

Benefits of Working for Woodstream:

• Competitive benefits package including:
  • 401k with Company Match, eligible on First Day of Employment
  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance Effective on First Day of Employment
  • Access to Company Paid Penn Medicine Health Clinics
  • Company General Bonus Program
  • Company Paid Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Company Paid Basic Life & Disability Insurance
  • Accident, Critical Illness, & Hospital Insurance Options
  • Company Paid ID Theft
  • Legal Assistance Plan Options
  • Paid Vacation and Holidays
  • Pet Insurance
• Stable, growing working environment with a history of 150 years of doing business.
• Opportunity to advance within the company.

Overview of the Role:

The Manager, Chemical R&D and Lab Operations is responsible for leading complex chemical product design and development while managing the day-to-day operations of the corporate laboratory and overseeing product testing efforts. This position integrates advanced chemical engineering and formulation expertise with hands-on leadership of lab operations, ensuring that all design, testing, and validation activities meet the company’s standards for quality, safety, and performance.

This role involves directing chemical design and prototyping, developing and executing test protocols, sourcing advanced materials and components, and ensuring the seamless transition of products from design to production. The Manager will work closely with cross-functional teams—including engineering, sourcing, manufacturing, and commercial— to develop and execute product testing strategies, provide support for new product development and ensure that new products meet technical specifications, consumer needs, and market expectations.

The Manager, Chemical R&D and Lab Operations will play a critical role in aligning chemical design and testing strategies with Woodstream’s business objectives, ensuring the delivery of innovative, consumer-qualified products that support the company’s long-term growth. Key responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Chemical Design Leadership: Lead the design, formulation, and development of chemical products for complex projects, ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Lab Operations & Team Leadership: Manage daily laboratory operations, including workflow, equipment, and resource allocation. Provide leadership, training, and mentorship to lab technicians to ensure efficient, safe, and compliant testing processes.
• Product Testing & Strategy Development: Direct and execute product testing activities, including evaluations and competitive analysis, while working closely with engineering and product development teams to align testing strategies with product goals and market needs.
• Lab Maintenance, Innovation, & Reporting: Ensure proper calibration and safety protocols for lab equipment, conduct research to drive innovation, and maintain accurate records of test results, sharing insights with cross-functional teams and leadership through reports and presentations.
• Collaboration & Manufacturing Support: Work with sourcing teams to identify and integrate advanced materials and components. Provide final chemical specifications and support production transitions to ensure smooth manufacturing start-up.
• Innovation & Research: Conduct research into emerging technologies, materials, and test methods. Develop external relationships with suppliers, inventors, and industry partners to expand innovation capabilities.

This role will work closely with the Vice President of New Product Development, engineering, and commercial teams to align testing strategies with broader business goals. In addition to managing lab operations, this individual will play a vital role in researching new testing methodologies, ensuring lab equipment is properly maintained, and communicating test results to internal teams. The Manager, Chemical R&D and Lab Operations is responsible for ensuring the lab operates smoothly and efficiently, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in product testing.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Oversee the design, development, and refinement of complex chemical new product projects, ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and cost objectives.
• Provide final chemical specifications for manufacturing and oversee production readiness, ensuring a smooth transition from design to production.
• Manage all laboratory operations, including workflow, scheduling, equipment calibration, chemical handling, and safety compliance.
• Direct and execute product testing activities, including product evaluations, durability testing, and competitive analysis.
• Develop and maintain testing protocols for new and existing products.
• Mentor and manage lab technicians, ensuring proper training, performance development, and adherence to safety standards.
• Collaborate with engineering, sourcing, and commercial teams to align testing and design strategies with product goals and market requirements.
• Conduct research to identify and adopt new technologies, materials, and test methodologies.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of formulations, testing data, and results. Prepare reports and present findings to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Monitor product performance post-launch and recommend design or formulation improvements as needed.
• Display perseverance and flexibility in overcoming technical and operational challenges, maintaining a proactive, solution-oriented approach to drive project success.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.

This position has several primary objectives which are critical to the overall success of Woodstream:

• Lead the design and development of chemical products in conjunction with product testing and validation efforts.
• Ensure efficient, safe, and compliant operation of the corporate laboratory.
• Deliver innovative, consumer-qualified products that transition successfully from concept to production.

Other Functions:

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Position could include up to 5–10% travel for project meetings, supplier visits, industry conferences, and production assessments.

Successful Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related STEM field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in chemical engineering design and new product development, including lab management and product testing.
• Advanced proficiency in chemical formulation, prototyping, and testing.
• Advanced knowledge of stabilizers, colloids, surfactants, emulsions, and 25B actives.
• Advanced proficiency in lab equipment management and testing protocols.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, including mentoring and performance development.
• Experience in competitive product analysis and data-driven product evaluation.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of product testing standards and safety regulations.

Woodstream is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to recruit, hire, train and promote without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, marital status, union affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic .

Note: If hired, Employment Eligibility Verification will be carried out upon selection. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer.

We retain employment applications for a minimum of 2 years from date of receipt for non-hire applicants or from date of termination for employees/contractors and possibly longer if legally required.