Quality Lab Manager

Job Title: Quality Laboratory ManagerJob DescriptionThis role leads a brand-new quality laboratory within a metal finishing, electroplating, and surface treatment manufacturing environment. The Quality Laboratory Manager oversees all laboratory operations and provides technical leadership for quality, analytical chemistry, and process control. The position works closely with production and quality teams to maintain plating chemistry, resolve process issues, improve product quality, and ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily laboratory operations, including scheduling, testing priorities, staffing, documentation, and equipment needs.
• Supervise, train, and develop laboratory technicians and assigned quality personnel, fostering a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee chemical analysis and process control for plating baths, pretreatment systems, passivates, sealers, rinses, wastewater, and incoming chemicals.
• Review analytical results and determine appropriate chemical additions or process adjustments to maintain stable operating conditions and product quality.
• Monitor plating chemistry and process trends to ensure consistent performance and adherence to specifications.
• Partner closely with production and quality teams to troubleshoot plating defects, chemistry issues, and process deviations.
• Oversee operation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of analytical equipment, including ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and other laboratory instrumentation.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions related to quality concerns, customer complaints, and process failures.
• Maintain and update laboratory procedures, testing methods, calibration records, and quality documentation in alignment with quality management systems.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and quality-system audits by providing accurate laboratory data and documentation.
• Ensure laboratory compliance with chemical safety, environmental, wastewater, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor laboratory performance, chemical usage, testing accuracy, and key quality metrics to ensure reliable and efficient operations.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve process control, laboratory efficiency, product quality, and operating costs.
• Contribute to building and establishing workflows, standards, and best practices in a new laboratory within a new facility.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific or technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in an industrial laboratory, manufacturing laboratory, chemical processing, or quality environment.
• Previous experience in laboratory leadership, supervision, or management.
• Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry, wet chemistry, titration, and chemical process control.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret laboratory results and make appropriate process or chemical adjustments based on analytical data.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation such as ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS.
• Proven troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving skills in a technical environment.
• Experience with quality assurance, quality control, and quality management systems.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with production, quality, and laboratory teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing documentation, testing schedules, and laboratory records.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop laboratory and quality personnel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in electroplating, metal finishing, coatings, surface treatment, or specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Experience supporting zinc, zinc-nickel, zinc-iron, or similar plating processes.
• Knowledge of plating baths, pretreatment processes, passivation, sealing, coating thickness measurement, and corrosion testing.
• Experience with wastewater treatment operations and environmental compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with quality systems such as IATF and ISO 9001.
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC), measurement system analysis (MSA), 8D problem solving, Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous-improvement methodologies.
• Experience supporting automotive or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Interest in a hands-on laboratory leadership role within a new facility and new laboratory setup.

Work EnvironmentThe role involves a combination of laboratory and production floor responsibilities in a metal finishing and electroplating manufacturing setting. You will frequently interact with manufacturing personnel and process equipment while working with chemicals, industrial machinery, and active production lines. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and provided, reflecting a strong emphasis on safety. The position requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods, climb stairs, and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds. You will work in a modern, brand-new facility and laboratory, offering a hands-on environment where you can shape laboratory practices, systems, and culture in close collaboration with operations and quality teams. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Fort Wayne, IN. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $120000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.holiday pay, health, dental, vision, 401k, paid time off. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Fort Wayne, IN. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Fort Wayne,IN.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.