AES - Laboratory Manager

At Aquatech, we tackle the challenges of water scarcity and complexity by leveraging technology, expertise, and financing to deliver comprehensive solutions that reduce carbon and recycled water footprint. As a leading global provider of water and process technology solutions, we help the world's most recognized companies achieve their sustainability and operational goals by implementing innovative approaches for water reuse, desalination, minimal and zero liquid discharge, and critical minerals recovery. Our work catalyzes the transition toward a more sustainable future and showcases our commitment to addressing water's role in climate adaptation. Learn more at www.aquatech.com

Aquatech immediately needs a full-time Laboratory Manager to work onsite at our Creekside, PA location that will be part cutting edge research and testing data development dealing in processes related to emerging contaminants. The laboratory is part of critical team function to support customer proposal preparation and product design development.

The Laboratory Manager will perform the duties described in the job description below and will be considered an Exempt employee.The ideal candidate should have an aptitude towards R&D & experimental work, systematic documentation and analysis of scientific data, curiosity to learn and develop and overcome technical roadblocks or obstacles.

Job Description:

First Point of Contact

• Be the main contact for updates to management, planning, vendor interactions, and dealing with operational issues.s

• Establish and enforce a culture of safety, organization, and accountability.ty

• Clear guidelines for required PPE/Apparel in operations. Take appropriate corrective action if not followed.

• Clear expectations for labelling, data recording, and reporting. Regular follow-up and inspection to ensure these are being followed.

• Keep lab area clean and organized and set expectations for cleanliness with personnel working in the laboratory.

• Establish new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new pilot units and test procedures done at the laboratory.

• Update SOPs for existing units and procedures if they change.

• Manage Staff

• Lead with a focus on people, and address training and motivation requirements to yield optimum performance.

• Set staff hours required to complete test objectives

• Hold regular goal-setting and performance reviews with employees

• Develop test plans, and provide required oversight to ensure that test plans are being followed

• Lab Resource Management

• Correspond with outside vendors for laboratory waste supplies drop-off and waste pickup.

• Procure chemicals and materials needed for lab processes and equipment.

• Keep records of samples entering and exiting the laboratory.

• Forward Vision

• Properly record equipment setups and improvements made. Make this accessible so that the next time an operation is performed it can be started using up to date best practices.

• In advance of testing, ensure equipment is available, clean, and working, perform preliminary testing if applicable, and define operational and measurement best practices (ex. Make a synthetic solution, operate and characterize to understand best materials of construction, Microtrac settings, any issues with T change during sampling, etc)

• Lead continuous improvement efforts to advance our technical capabilities.

• When there are ways identified to improve operations/data quality/etc spearhead equipment specification, ordering, installation, and auxiliary testing as there are time and resources available

• Ownership: Be able to answer all data generated from the lab.

• Frequently review data and processes to ensure consistency with mass balance and expectations.

• Understand sampling method, validation of measurement procedures, etc

• Review all documentation (reports, data, graphs, etc.) before being sent out to either internal or external resources.

• Operational Readiness

• Upon completion of testing, ensure equipment is cleaned, properly stored, and in a condition for use the next time it is needed.d

• Identify critical standby spares and ensure inventory is up-to-date

• When equipment is broken or taken out of service, order replacements and/or facilitate repair and cleaning so that it is ready next time that it is needed

• Establish Calibration and Maintenance Schedule to maintain working order of equipment

• Prioritized and Efficient Use of Resources

• Understand the d time required for pilot operations and other testing requests so that hours can be allocated appropriately in order of priority.

• Identify when there are extra resources available and use this time productively for training/continuous improvement/technology development/maintenance activities.s

• Continually identify ways to increase operational efficiency.

Skill Requirements:

• Ability to be a self-starter and capable of working and planning independently
• Other Duties as assigned.

Benefits:

Aquatech offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, company-paid holidays, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

Essential Functions:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Any constraints on the ability to travel will need to be highlighted at the time of applying for the position.

Physical Job Demands:

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, limited walking, and standing. Ability to manage strains of travel by air or road and navigate drive to customers in business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in chemistry as a base degree. Alternates like Biology are acceptable on a case-by-case basis, but Chemistry is preferred.
• Five(5) 5 years or more of working at a chemistry laboratory with a level of managerial experience.