Laboratory Manager

Location:

At Airgas, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We are looking for you !

Recruiter: Natasha Smith /natasha.smith@airgas.com/445-232-7759 CALL/TEXT

A specialty gas laboratory manager position requires a blend of strong leadership and management skills, deep technical expertise in specialty gases and analytical methods, and a rigorous commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. The core elements span operational, technical, quality assurance, and personnel management domains.

• Leadership and Supervision: Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and supervise lab personnel, providing guidance and support to foster a collaborative and efficient team environment.

• Workflow and Scheduling: Oversee daily operations, coordinate and schedule laboratory assignments and projects, manage conflicting priorities, and ensure efficient workflow to meet production goals and deadlines.

• Budget and Inventory Control: Plan and control the laboratory budget, manage inventory of equipment and supplies, and negotiate with suppliers.

• Documentation and Reporting: Ensure all laboratory records, documents, and reports are complete, clear, and accurate for internal and external requirements. Prepare performance reports for local and senior management when appropriate.

• Specialty Gas Knowledge: Possess intimate knowledge of specialty gas properties, handling, production, and manufacturing methods.

• Analytical Techniques and Equipment: Have hands-on experience with analytical equipment such as gas chromatographs (GC), dedicated and variable analyzers. Must be able to demonstrate ability to perform a degree of troubleshooting and maintenance.

• Problem-Solving: Utilize analytical and critical-thinking skills to troubleshoot technical issues, resolve equipment malfunctions, address quality failures through effective root cause analysis and corrective/preventive measures, and identify, control, and monitor risk within the local quality management system.

• Process Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements, new technologies, and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety within the lab.

• Safety Leadership: Develop, implement, and enforce robust safety protocols and policies. Conduct regular risk assessments, and report any incident or accident within our tracking system. Further investigations may be required to maintain a safe work environment.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to all relevant local, state, and federal regulations and standards, including OSHA, EPA, and industry-specific certifications like ISO 9001, 17025, 17034.

• Quality Systems Management: Implement and oversee quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs to ensure the accuracy, precision, validity, and integrity of all testing and analysis results.

• Calibration and Maintenance: Oversee the regular maintenance and calibration of all testing and measuring equipment, keeping detailed records to ensure accuracy and compliance. Manage or delegate preventive maintenance programs while including unscheduled maintenance within the same monitoring records.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field is required; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of education.

• Experience: a minimum of 5 years supervisory experience, preferably in a plant laboratory capacity.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Soft Skills: Excellent communication (verbal and written), leadership, organizational, and time-management skills are vital for success in this multifaceted role.

• Host, plan, and coordinate both internal and external audits and surveillance activities

• Submitting deviation requests for departures from documented policies and procedures

• Continuously review the Quality Management System and associated procedures, technical bulletins, and advanced processes to improve on the local implementation.

• Impartiality - being unbiased, fair, and objective in judgment and actions, ensuring decisions are based on evidence rather than personal bias

• Ensuring that all requirements outlined by customers are strictly followed.

• Initiating customer contact or concessions when necessary or when product does not conform to the requirements of the quality system, testing, or calibration methods.

• Demonstrate effective customer interfacing on technical matters to promote our reputation without over committing on complex products.

• Serve as technical manager for the laboratory and provide technical assistance to plant personnel as necessary.

• Managing laboratory employee work schedules, vacations, and overtime.

• Develop, modify, and verify validation of test methods.

• Providing input for quality corrective and preventive actions.

• Participating in management review meetings.

• Promoting cross-training between laboratory personnel.

• Monitoring verification of raw materials to ensure quality outputs.

• Order raw materials when required.

• Manage local SPC/SQC program on a monthly basis.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Although this position oversees a fixed operation, circumstantial travel may be required.

• Must have reliable, appropriate transportation.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• 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 in English

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and employees

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals using the English language

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• Must be comfortable working with standard productivity packages (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Suite)

• Must be comfortable working with standard statistical analysis packages

• Must be proficient working with tools and protocols to generate quality-related documentation for gases & equipment

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.

• Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises direct reports in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Major accountabilities include interviewing, hiring, training associates, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining associates; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

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. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is required to

meet the following physical demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand; use hands and arms; and talk or hear. The associate must lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to focus.

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Benefits

We care about and support all Airgas associates. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and paid holidays for full-time employees.

We provide a progressive parental leave package for our eligible Airgas parents, offering generous paid time off for the birth or placement of children.

Additionally, we offer our employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for employees' dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program.

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Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE

At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.

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About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.

Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you'll find a welcoming workplace where you're valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career - whatever path you choose.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at us-accommodationrequest@airgas.com.

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