Senior Scientist & Laboratory Manager

Role details

Company Description

Our client is an international, family-owned chemical company that works together to be the preferred partner for their customers in a wide range of application fields.

Their goal is to continue growing successfully in the coming years and to further strengthen their position as a specialty chemicals company. As a global leader, they are continuously driven by innovation. These innovations enable our partners to develop high-performing, best-in-class solutions for their customers and their success. Sustainability plays a central role in everything they do, as they respond to the increasing requirements of the markets they serve.

Beyond sustainability in our products, this organization places great importance on a diverse and inclusive working environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute their talents.

Role purpose

Our client is establishing a new North American Headquarters and Technical Solutions Center in North Carolina to strengthen customer support and accelerate application development in the region.

This role combines hands-on Specialty Products (SP) formulation accountability with responsibility for running the new laboratory. As the site’s Laboratory Manager and the applications lead for SP CASE systems (construction and related markets), the role owns day-to-day lab operations, EHS and compliance, and the ways of working and team coordination that a growing, multi-disciplinary lab requires — while flexibly supporting other business units as needed.

Key responsibilities

Customer-focused technical solution development

• Lead customer application and formulation projects for epoxy-, thiol-based CASE systems, with a primary focus on Specialty Products (construction and related markets)
• Working closely with the commercial team, understand customer and market needs to develop new formulations or adapt existing off-the-shelf products to meetcustomer-specific performance, processing, and qualification requirements
• Design and conduct application and performance testing to characterize and validate new and adapted formulations, using appropriate analytical andapplication-specific test methods
• Engage directly with customers through on-site visits, technical troubleshooting, and presentations to support formulation adoption and resolve application challenges
• Provide technical support to other business units as needed
• Maintain awareness of state-of-the-art application technologies and market trends by attending relevant industry conferences, trade shows, and technical forums as appropriate
• Prepare and transfer application-ready formulations to production scale-up teams with appropriate technical documentation, and support those teams through technical clarification, without owning pilot plant or manufacturing trials

Laboratory Management

• Serve as Laboratory Manager for the North American Technical Solutions Center, with responsibility for day-to-day lab management, ways of working, and team coordination
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations, including safety, compliance, functionality, and uptime
• Own the site EHS program — coordinating external EHS support, waste disposal, chemical inventory, SDS documentation, sample logistics, and equipment service — and ensure regulatory compliance
• Support the build-out and lead the organization of the laboratory, including routines, workflows, documentation practices, and equipment qualification
• Manage laboratory consumables, equipment procurement, calibration, maintenance planning, and operational budgets to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.
• Maintain quality and data-integrity standards across the lab
• Drive continuous improvement of laboratory processes, documentation, safety practices, and operational efficiency
• Advance lab automation and digitalization, working closely with global team to implement and continuously improve digital tools and automated workflows
• Organize and coordinate laboratory training, including safety, equipment, and onboarding for lab staff

Collaboration & feedback

• Serve as a technical and operational counterpart to the Business Units
• Partner closely with the Principal Scientist (New Technologies) to ensure technical coverage across SP, NT, and Cosmetics
• Actively foster collaboration with global R&D laboratories, leveraging complementary expertise, exchanging best practices, sharing customer and application insights, and strengthening cross-site technical alignment
• Perform additional scientific, technical, and operational duties as assigned to support research, development, and organizational objectives

What this role is not

• Not responsible for pricing, contracts, or commercial negotiations
• Not responsible for pilot plant trials or manufacturing process optimization
• Not a formal HR people-management role (performance reviews, compensation, disciplinary actions) at this stage; formal people-management responsibilities may develop over time depending on the candidate and how the role and team evolve

Required qualifications

• MSc/PhD, in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field; Bachelor's degree with strong applied experience acceptable
• Scientist: 3–6 years or Senior Scientist: 6–10 years of relevant industrial experience in CASE formulation; experience in Specialty Products and construction markets is an advantage
• Strong expertise in epoxy systems; experience with thiol -based curing preferred
• Demonstrated lab-operations experience, including EHS/compliance awareness
• Experience in customer-facing application or development laboratories

Key skills and capabilities

• Strong ability to manage multiple customer application projects while maintaining high laboratory standards and operational discipline
• Demonstrated ability to organize laboratory operations, establish effective workflows, and maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient working environment
• Hands-on formulation, testing, troubleshooting, and experimental execution skills with strong attention to detail and data quality
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for documenting experimental work, preparing technical reports, and interacting effectively with customers and internal stakeholders
• Practical problem-solving skills with the ability to balance customer needs, technical feasibility, and laboratory priorities
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Sales, suppliers, external service providers, and global R&D teams across diverse technical and cultural backgrounds
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple operational activities, equipment, and laboratory resources
• Continuous-improvement mindset, identifying opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, documentation, safety, digitalization, and ways of working

Ideal profile

• Enjoys combining hands-on formulation work with building and running an efficient laboratory
• Takes ownership of laboratory operations and naturally creates structure, organization, and reliable ways of working
• Customer-oriented and responsive, with a practical approach to solving technical challenges
• Comfortable working in a growing organization where responsibilities evolve over time
• Collaborative team player who works closely with technical, commercial, and operational colleagues across regions
• Organized, proactive, and dependable, with a strong focus on execution and follow-through
• Motivated by delivering high-quality technical solutions while ensuring the laboratory operates safely, efficiently, and professionally

Equipment Used

• Standard laboratory equipment used in chemical research and formulation, including laboratory glassware, balances, mixers, reactors, ovens, and other experimental apparatus used for chemical synthesis, formulation, and testing.
• Analytical and characterization instruments commonly used in chemical and CASE application testing laboratories.
• Personal computers and standard office equipment including computer, printer, mobile phones, telephone and scanner.
• Software tools including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook),their laboratory platform Uncountable, AI tools, and internal enterprise systems used for documentation, reporting, and data management.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The position requires the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods, perform precise

manual tasks, and occasionally lift or move laboratory supplies and equipment. Attention

to detail, organization, and maintaining a clean and safe workspace are essential.

Work is typically performed during standard laboratory operating hours, with occasional

flexibility required to support testing schedules, research timelines, or operational needs.

Ability to maintain focus and concentration while performing detailed experimental work

and reviewing technical data.

Environmental Conditions and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Work is performed primarily in a chemical laboratory environment involving the handling of chemicals, formulations, and laboratory testing equipment.
• Strict adherence to laboratory safety procedures, chemical hygiene practices, and applicable regulatory requirements is required.
• The use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lab coats, gloves, eye protection, and other safety equipment is required when working in laboratory areas.
• Work may involve controlled exposure to chemical odors, solvents, dusts, or other materials typically encountered in chemical research laboratories

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel may be required to support customer technical discussions,

collaboration with internal teams, supplier meetings, conferences, or visits to other

company sites. This may include an initial technical training in Europe for approximately

two weeks.

Estimated travel requirement: up to approximately 10–20%, depending on project and

business needs.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or

future employer sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive

consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual

orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any

other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Disclaimer

• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee’s job duties at any time at its sole discretion.
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.