Lab Manager

Description

Lab Manager

Job Type: Non-exempt, Part-time / Full-time

Location: Onsite in Fort Wayne, IN, with potential travel to Auburn, IN

Compensation: $26.00 – $32.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

Hours: 30-40 hours per week with overtime and weekends as needed

About VeroTouch Science

VeroTouch Science is transforming the materials that build the world. We are an industrial chemical and materials R&D and manufacturing startup, developing and producing specialty chemical systems from the ground up with a relentless focus on real-world performance.

We are focused on concrete admixtures, material additives, coatings, and specialty chemical systems, developing products in-house, taking them through production, and building the infrastructure to scale them. We own the science.

VeroTouch Science is early-stage, hands-on, and execution-driven. The people who thrive here take ownership, maintain high standards, and care deeply about outcomes.

Position Summary

The Lab Manager is an onsite role based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with potential travel to Auburn, Indiana, responsible for the day-to-day operation of VeroTouch Science's testing and R&D laboratory. This role owns the integrity of test data, the calibration and upkeep of lab equipment, and the training and oversight of technicians performing lab-based work. The Lab Manager works closely with the R&D and operations teams to translate formulation and product development goals into disciplined, repeatable testing protocols, and serves as the technical backbone connecting raw material characterization, batch quality control, and new product development.

This is a ground-floor leadership opportunity. The right individual will help build the lab's systems and standards from the ground up, working directly with senior technical staff, with a clear path for advancement, including the potential for equity after one year of service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lab Operations and Management

• Own the daily operation of the lab, including scheduling, staffing coordination, and prioritization of testing workloads across production support and R&D projects.

• Establish, document, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all recurring test methods.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safety-compliant lab environment in accordance with company and OSHA standards.

• Manage lab supply inventory, including reagents, consumables, and testing materials, and coordinate reordering with the operations lead.

Testing and Quality Control

• Design, run, and oversee materials testing on raw materials, in-process batches, and finished products, including density, rheology, set time, compressive strength, and other relevant performance metrics.

• Review test data for accuracy and consistency before it is used for batch release or reporting; investigate and document any out-of-spec results.

• Build and maintain traceable, digital testing records and quality control logs that support both production release and long-term R&D analysis.

• Support root cause investigations for quality issues identified in production or in the field.

Equipment and Calibration

• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot all lab testing equipment on a defined schedule, keeping accurate calibration and maintenance records.

• Evaluate and recommend new lab equipment or instrumentation as testing needs evolve.

• Coordinate equipment repairs and vendor service visits as needed.

R&D Support

• Partner with the R&D and formulation team to design and execute experiments supporting new product development and formulation improvements.

• Prepare small-batch trial formulations and document results with sufficient rigor to support formulation decisions.

• Help translate successful lab-scale formulations into production-scale batch procedures.

Team Leadership and Training

• Train manufacturing and lab technicians on proper testing procedures, equipment operation, and documentation standards.

• Review the work of technicians performing lab tasks and provide feedback to maintain consistency and accuracy.

• Act as the go-to technical resource for testing and quality questions from the broader operations team.

Safety and Compliance

• Maintain working familiarity with SDS documentation for all materials handled in the lab.

• Enforce PPE requirements and safe handling practices for all chemicals and equipment in the lab.

• Lead safety briefings related to lab work and report unsafe conditions, incidents, or near-misses immediately to the operations lead.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate or bachelor's degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related field, or equivalent hands-on lab experience. 
• Proven leadership experience, ideally supervising or training a team.
• Strong decision-making and accountability skills, comfortable directing others' work and owning outcomes.
• Clear communicator, able to set expectations and give direct feedback.
• Reliable and self-motivated, with the ability to manage competing priorities across a team.
• Willingness to work extended hours and travel as needed at company expense.

Preferred (Not Required)

• Experience with concrete, cement, admixtures, coatings, or related construction materials testing.

• Familiarity with ASTM test methods relevant to construction materials.

• Prior experience supervising or training lab or production technicians.

• Comfort working with technical data, statistical analysis, and formulation records.

• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply; Spanish-language communication skills are a meaningful plus given our operational environments.

Professional Development and Advancement

This position is designed to grow with the right person. You will help shape the lab's systems and standards from an early stage, working directly with senior technical staff and gaining exposure to the full arc of specialty materials development, from raw formulation through commercial-scale production.

VeroTouch is an early-stage company with a strong trajectory. Lab Managers who demonstrate commitment, capability, and reliability will have a direct path to expanded responsibilities and advancement within the organization. Equity participation is available after one year of continuous service for qualifying team members.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to work in an active lab and manufacturing environment for a full shift.

• Ability to stand, walk, lift, bend, and operate lab equipment for extended periods.

• Ability to lift, carry, or move materials weighing up to 50 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to work in environments involving chemical exposure, requiring consistent PPE use.

Compensation and Benefits

• $26 to $32 per hour, commensurate with experience

• 30-40 hours per week with overtime and weekends as needed

• All required travel covered at company expense

• On-the-job training in advanced testing and formulation techniques

• Equity eligibility after one year of service

• Performance-based advancement opportunities

VeroTouch is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and complying with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This job description outlines the primary duties and requirements of the role but does not limit the employee to those duties. It does not create an employment contract. If a candidate with a disability requires accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Felix Heeter at fheeter@verotouch.com.

Certain responsibilities are considered essential functions of the position, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform them. This document describes the minimum requirements for the role and does not create an employment contract. Employment with the company is at-will, meaning either the employee or the company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.

Nota en Español

VeroTouch Science es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Buscamos un Gerente de Laboratorio para nuestra operación en el área de Fort Wayne, con posible viaje a Auburn, Indiana. Las responsabilidades incluyen la gestión diaria del laboratorio, pruebas de materiales y control de calidad, calibración de equipos, apoyo a proyectos de investigación y desarrollo, y la capacitación y supervisión de técnicos. El puesto ofrece entre $26 y $32 por hora, 30-40 horas semanales con posibilidad de horas extra, y potencial de participación en la empresa después de un año. Se proporcionará capacitación completa. Los candidatos bilingües son bienvenidos.