Laboratory Manager – Polymer Materials
Greater Atlanta Area | On-Site
A rapidly growing polymer building materials manufacturer is launching a new high-capacity manufacturing facility in the Greater Atlanta area and building its laboratory operations from the ground up.
This is a hands-on leadership opportunity to establish Quality Control capabilities at plant startup and scale into a fully integrated analytical and physical testing laboratory. You will be the first laboratory hire at the site.
What You’ll Own
- Lead greenfield laboratory build-out (layout, equipment install, commissioning, validation)
- Establish ASTM-aligned testing methods, SOPs, data integrity, and SPC systems
- Oversee polymer characterization: FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, rheology, tensile, impact, melt flow
- Support recycled polyolefin composite development and production startup
- Hire and develop laboratory technicians (2 in Year 1; 3–4 long term)
- Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, R&D, and Quality
What We’re Looking For
- BS+ in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or related field (Advanced degree preferred)
- 5+ years laboratory experience in polymers, thermoplastics, composites, or building materials
- 2+ years leadership experience in a laboratory environment
- Strong thermoplastics background required; polyolefin experience preferred
- Hands-on experience with analytical and mechanical testing of plastics
- Experience building or scaling lab operations strongly preferred
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, startup-like manufacturing environment
- No visa sponsorship available
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $100,000 – $140,000
Bonus eligible
Relocation assistance available (case-by-case reimbursement)
Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, PTO and holidays
- On-site role in the Greater Atlanta area
