Director of Research & Development / Lab Manager at MicroCare, LLC

Imagine working for a company that knows their employees are the key to its success, a company that provides exceptional results while being environmentally conscious and ahead of the curve in research and development; MicroCare LLC is that company. We are a trusted global provider of critical cleaning solutions with a best-in-class employee population. Currently we are searching for a Director of Research & Development/Lab Manager to join our growing team! The position does not offer relocation support.

MicroCare, LLC is an ISO 9001:2015 registered company specializing in cleaning coating and lubricating fluids used in the installation and manufacture of a broad range of products in the electronics, medical, fiber optic and metal fabricating industries. Since 1983 we have pioneered hundreds of environmentally progressive and sustainable products in response to emerging regulatory demands and our customers' evolving cleaning and coating needs

Voted as one of the best places to work in Connecticut, two years in a row, MicroCare is a company with a heart. At all our facilities in Connecticut and across the globe, we work in a cheerful, inclusive, and collaborative environment where we respect, encourage, and support our customers, our suppliers and each other. We like to laugh; have fun and we make an important impact.

MicroCare LLC offers competitive salaries and benefits: Medical, Dental, Disability, 401k plan, Holiday and Paid Time Off. We strive to connect with, engage with and improve the lives of our employees, our customers, and the communities in which we operate. We are headquartered in central Connecticut accessible from both Greater Hartford and New Haven. This position is located at our New Britain facility.

Position Overview:

This position will lead MicroCare’s innovation strategy, product development, and laboratory operations. This role drives R&D initiatives from concept through commercialization while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards. The position oversees the daily laboratory operations, manages a multidisciplinary team of chemists and technicians, and ensures the accuracy, integrity, and efficiency of all research, testing, and technical service projects.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop and execute the R&D strategy in alignment with corporate goals and business objectives.
2. Lead formulation, testing and scale-up, of new chemical products and improvements to existing formulations.
3. Drive innovation in chemical technologies, materials and processes to expand product capabilities.
4. Ensure efficient transfer of new products from R&D to manufacturing for commercialization.
5. Oversee daily laboratory operations to ensure testing, analysis and research are accurate, safe and on time.
6. Implement and maintain lab procedures, SOPs, and workflows to ensure consistency and compliance.
7. Direct customer-related technical service projects including cleaning trials and compatibility testing.
8. Troubleshoot production and product performance issues in collaborations with the Quality and Manufacturing teams.
9. Maintain detailed accurate records of experiments, analyses, and results; preparing technical reports and regulatory documentation; present findings, lab metrics and progress to VP on weekly basis.
10. Enforce compliance with chemical safety, OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory requirements; support quality procedures for ISO 9001:2015.
11. Partner with Regulatory Affairs Manager to ensure maintenance/updating of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
12. Lead, mentor and manage R&D and lab personnel, promoting a culture of accountability, continuous learning and professional development.
13. Ensure all R&D activities comply with industry regulations, safety standards, and environmental requirements.
14. Manage R&D and lab budget, including consumables, equipment purchases, and vendor relationships.
15. Build cross-functional and external partnerships with universities, suppliers and research institutions to drive innovation and collaboration.
16. Promote an incident free workplace by complying with safety policies and procedures and participating in company safety trainings.
17. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies/Experience:

• Deep understanding of chemical principles, formulation science, and process scale-up
• Proven ability to balance scientific leadership with operational management of people, safety, compliance, and budgets with confirmed track record of development success
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and deliver multiple projects on time and within scope
• Proven ability to thrive in a mid-cap organization with operations serving international markets
• Strategic, analytical, and innovative problem solver
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and leadership levels

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The job requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of progressive R&D experience in chemical manufacturing and laboratory experience, with 5 years in leadership or supervisory role
• Strong knowledge of chemical formulations, process scale-up and manufacturing practices
• Proficient with laboratory instruments GC, Spectroscopy, HPLC, Karl Fischer
• Strong working knowledge of chemical safety practices, hazardous materials handling, and regulatory compliance, (OSHA, EPA, REACH)
• Familiarity with quality standards (e.g., ISO, GLP, GMP)
• Technically proficient in MS Office, LIMS and ERP systems
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken in both technical and directional approaches
• Ability to travel internationally with valid passport

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related scientific field
• Experience with publishing and patent processes
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Six Sigma, Lead, ISO Lead Auditor, OSHA certifications
• Working experience in industrial manufacturing environments
• Advanced proficient in analytical instruments and laboratory technologies (HPLC, GC, -MS, and titrations systems)
• Continuous education through course work, trade publications and societal affiliations
• Bi-lingual Spanish

Physical Demands:

• Continuous Sitting
• Continuous keyboard use/ repetitive hand motion
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.