Senior Lab Manager

Description:

SUMMARY:

The Senior Laboratory Manager is responsible for overseeing all laboratory testing operations, staff, and research & development activities related to lubricants, fuels, greases, and other petroleum products. This position balances strong technical expertise with managerial and strategic responsibilities, including coordinating routine and non-routine quantitative and qualitative analyses, establishing testing methodologies and quality standards, and ensuring compliance with applicable specifications and safety protocols. The Senior Laboratory Manager leads and develops laboratory personnel, ensures accurate interpretation and reporting of results for technical support and quality assurance, maintains laboratory equipment and processes, and partners with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement while maintaining a safe, efficient, and high-performing laboratory environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The Company reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time. All work is to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Company standards. Other duties may be assigned.

Laboratory Operations & Supervision: Lead and manage daily laboratory operations supporting testing, analysis, and reporting for lubricants, fuels, greases, coolants, and environmental samples. Provide full supervision of laboratory personnel across Quality Control, Engine Guard, and Refinery/Environmental analysis functions, including staffing coordination, scheduling, and workload prioritization.

Personnel Management: Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate laboratory staff, oversee performance management, address employee concerns, and ensure appropriate staffing levels to meet operational demands.

Quality Control & Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to SOPs, safety policies, and regulatory standards including ISO 17025, API, ACEA, environmental regulations, and internal quality manuals. Maintain documentation systems and audit readiness while enforcing laboratory safety and compliance programs.

Technical Leadership & Troubleshooting: Serve as the primary technical resource for instrument performance, lubrication issues, failed equipment diagnostics, and complex customer application challenges. Direct corrective actions, allocate resources as needed, and oversee troubleshooting processes to restore testing operations to full capability.

Equipment & Maintenance: Oversee procurement, routine maintenance, calibration, and repair of laboratory instrumentation to ensure regulatory compliance and testing reliability. Perform hands-on instrument maintenance and validations as required.

Special Testing & R&D Support: Conduct and oversee specialized customer testing related to lubrication and performance concerns. Prepare necessary chemicals for custom testing protocols and collaborate with R&D teams on formulation development, optimization, and validation trials for new or existing engine oil and lubricant products.

Client & Cross-Functional Support: Provide technical support to customers and internal partners, including Sales, Production, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams. Interpret laboratory results, assist in problem resolution, and deliver clear technical explanations aligned with business objectives.

Reporting & Data Management: Review, compile, and distribute monthly performance summaries and technical reports, ensuring data accuracy and timeliness for leadership, quality assurance, and customer support use.

Resource & Budget Management: Manage laboratory resources including consumables, external testing services, capital equipment planning, and operating budgets to ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining laboratory quality and responsiveness.

Strategic Planning & Market Insight: Conduct competitive benchmarking and market analysis to evaluate product performance trends, identify improvement opportunities, and support strategic decision-making related to product development and service offerings to grow the buisness.

Safety Leadership: Promote a strong safety culture by leading EHS initiatives, reporting near misses, conducting safety training, and enforcing compliance across all laboratory activities to ensure a safe working environment.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; develops alternative solutions.

Leadership - Provides clear direction and support to teams; leads by example through coaching, accountability, and collaborative communication to achieve safety, quality, and operational goals.

Analytical - Collects and interprets data to identify trends, assess performance, and support informed decisions; applies quantitative and qualitative analysis to drive continuous improvement.

Project Management - Plans and coordinates projects by establishing timelines, assigning resources, and monitoring progress to ensure on-time, compliant, and cost-effective execution.

Interpersonal - Maintains confidentiality; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills;

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and present information clearly and concisely.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; displays orientation to profitability; demonstrates knowledge of market and competition. Demonstrates excellent analytical skills.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; upholds organizational values.

Dependability - Takes responsibility for own actions; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.

Initiative - Takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure.

Multi-functional. Able to thrive in fast paced, multi-tasking environment.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related scientific/engineering field is required.

Extensive experience (7-10+ years) in a laboratory setting within the lubricants, oil and gas, or petrochemical industry, including experience in a management or supervisory role.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint), Crystal Reports, CRM, Relational Database Management, Internet

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

- Indoors; environmentally controlled setting.

- PPE; primarily including gloves, safety glasses, lab coat, steel toe shoes, hard hat, face shield and/or masks.

- Exposure to forklift traffic, mechanical parts, wet surfaces, low and high noise levels as well as hazardous waste, and chemical exposure.

- Ability to work in close proximity of, and with other employees of the lab.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and sit.

EOE