R&D Lab Manager

Job Title: R&D Lab ManagerJob DescriptionThe Research & Development Laboratory Manager oversees daily laboratory operations and leads hands-on formulation and product development activities for liquid products. This role supervises laboratory personnel, manages testing and documentation, and supports products from initial concept through manufacturing scale-up and commercialization. The manager collaborates closely with operations, quality, production, purchasing, project management, and other business functions to deliver practical, high-quality products that can be manufactured consistently and efficiently.Responsibilities

• Manage daily laboratory activities, including priorities, schedules, resources, and project assignments to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
• Supervise, train, and support laboratory personnel, including workload planning, technical development, and day-to-day guidance for a small lab team.
• Monitor project capacity, deliverables, risks, and upcoming deadlines, and adjust plans to keep development activities on track.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, calibration records, inventory, chemical storage, and safety procedures to ensure a safe and compliant work environment.
• Ensure laboratory records remain accurate, organized, and audit-ready, including test data, formulation files, and supporting documentation.
• Oversee sample labeling, retention, tracking, and testing activities to maintain traceability and support quality and customer requirements.
• Apply established testing methods, stability protocols, and laboratory best practices to evaluate product performance and reliability.
• Lead hands-on liquid formulation work, including product-development trials, sample preparation, testing, and development of product specifications.
• Evaluate raw materials and alternative ingredients for performance, quality, cost, and compatibility with existing formulas and packaging.
• Coordinate approved formulations through laboratory development and transfer to manufacturing, ensuring smooth scale-up and production readiness.
• Maintain and improve existing formulas based on performance data, quality feedback, cost considerations, and customer requirements.
• Document formulation trials, technical findings, and recommended next steps in a clear and organized manner for internal stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, material utilization, product quality, and overall cost across the product portfolio.
• Assess technical feasibility of new and existing projects and communicate development risks, limitations, and required trade-offs.
• Build realistic development plans and target dates for samples, testing, pilot runs, and production readiness in coordination with cross-functional teams.
• Support technical reviews, product transfers, manufacturing trials, and product launches by providing clear formulation and process guidance.
• Provide technical input regarding formulations, specifications, project scope, and development timelines to internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in customer and supplier discussions when technical expertise is required, representing the laboratory and development function.
• Communicate project progress, delays, constraints, and required decisions to internal stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner.
• Coordinate formulation or specification changes with quality and other business teams, maintaining appropriate approvals and documentation.
• Troubleshoot formulation and product-performance issues related to batching, blending, filling, and raw materials during pilot runs and production trials.
• Support process scale-up, manufacturing instructions, and first-production activities by providing on-site technical guidance and analysis.
• Contribute technical analysis to investigations, deviations, corrective actions, and rework decisions to resolve production and quality issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve yield, reduce waste, and prevent recurring production issues through root-cause analysis and process improvements.
• Document observations and lessons learned from initial production runs to strengthen future technical transfers and manufacturing robustness.
• Maintain controlled formulation records, product specifications, revision histories, and supporting technical documentation in accordance with internal standards.
• Ensure formulation data is accurately entered and maintained within business systems, including ERP, formulation-management, or laboratory information systems.
• Prepare and review manufacturing instructions, technical data sheets, safety documentation, and related laboratory records for internal and external use.
• Support quality activities involving customer documentation, complaints, audits, and applicable regulatory requirements for products and processes.
• Maintain appropriate version control, traceability, and approvals for formulation changes and product updates.
• Implement laboratory process improvements and identify material-standardization or cost-saving opportunities to enhance efficiency and consistency.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• 35+ years of experience in formulation, product development, research and development, or chemical manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with liquid formulations, including laboratory testing, technical troubleshooting, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Experience coordinating laboratory activities or providing day-to-day technical leadership within a lab environment.
• Strong technical documentation skills, with the ability to prepare clear and accurate records, specifications, and reports.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with a structured approach to troubleshooting formulation and manufacturing issues.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and communicate project risks, constraints, and timelines effectively to stakeholders.
• Ability to work across office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments, including standing or walking for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds and safely handle chemicals, raw materials, and laboratory supplies.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, protective clothing, and respiratory protection when necessary.
• Ability to travel occasionally to customer, supplier, or manufacturing locations as project needs require.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or laboratory leadership experience overseeing technical staff or laboratory operations.
• Experience within specialty chemicals, consumer products, personal care, household products, or contract manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and applicable product, chemical, and workplace-safety regulations.
• Experience using ERP, formulation-management, or laboratory information systems to manage data and documentation.
• Experience preparing product specifications, technical data sheets, manufacturing instructions, and Safety Data Sheets.
• Experience in laboratory chemistry, quality control, R&D, and formulation work, particularly for liquid products.
• Interest in growth opportunities, including leading a small lab team and assisting with quality, product formulations, and R&D initiatives.

Work EnvironmentWork takes place across office, laboratory, and production environments, offering exposure to a variety of processes from development through manufacturing. The role involves regular work in a laboratory setting with chemicals, raw materials, fragrances, and manufacturing equipment, requiring consistent attention to safety procedures and use of appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, protective clothing, and respiratory protection when necessary. The position may require standing or walking for extended periods and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds while handling materials and supplies. Work hours are primarily standard business hours, but occasional scheduled support outside normal working hours may be required for production trials, technical troubleshooting, or time-sensitive project activities. The environment supports collaboration with operations, quality, production, purchasing, and project management teams, and offers growth opportunities through leading a small lab team and contributing to quality, product formulations, and R&D efforts. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elkhart, IN. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $38.00 - $48.00/hr. 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.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits

available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elkhart, IN. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Elkhart,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.

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