Nathan Trotter & Co. is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the laboratory operations supporting our new Martinsville, Virginia manufacturing facility.

This is a unique opportunity to build a laboratory from the ground up, establish technical standards, develop a high-performing team, and play a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and continuous improvement of our manufacturing processes. If you’re passionate about scientific leadership, operational excellence, and mentoring technical professionals, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact from day one.

Why This Role Matters

The Laboratory Manager serves as the technical leader of our laboratory operations, ensuring analytical testing supports safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing. This role provides leadership for laboratory personnel, drives continuous improvement initiatives, maintains quality and regulatory compliance, and partners closely with operations, engineering, and maintenance to optimize plant performance and support strategic business objectives.

What You’ll Do

• Lead all laboratory operations supporting production, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage laboratory workflow, staffing, scheduling, budgets, equipment, vendors, and operational resources.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and mentor laboratory personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Oversee laboratory quality systems, analytical methods, and standard operating procedures to ensure accurate, reliable, and timely results.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory quality standards, environmental regulations, chemical handling requirements, and workplace safety expectations.
• Serve as the laboratory’s primary technical resource by providing analytical expertise and resolving complex technical challenges.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and other departments to improve processes and support production objectives.
• Evaluate and implement new laboratory technologies, instrumentation, and process improvements.
• Represent the laboratory during audits, inspections, customer interactions, and cross-functional initiatives.

What You Bring

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Five or more years of progressive laboratory experience in an industrial, manufacturing, chemical processing, metals, mining, or related environment.
• Three or more years of laboratory leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry, QA/QC systems, laboratory instrumentation, and analytical method development.
• Experience developing laboratory policies, SOPs, and quality management systems.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams, manage laboratory operations, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through analytical testing and technical problem solving.
• Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Microsoft Office, and statistical analysis software.
• Experience in non-ferrous smelting, metal refining, recycling, or metallurgical processing is strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications related to laboratory management, quality systems, or safety are preferred but not required.

Why Join Nathan Trotter & Co.?

Joining Nathan Trotter means becoming part of a company with more than 200 years of history built on integrity, innovation, and long-term customer relationships. As we continue investing in the future through our Martinsville operation, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape a growing facility while building a rewarding career with an organization committed to its employees, customers, and communities.

Here, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Help build and shape a new manufacturing operation from the ground up.
• Join a stable, family-owned company with more than 200 years of business history.
• Be part of an organization that values integrity, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Work alongside experienced leaders who are committed to employee development and operational excellence.
• Make a meaningful impact by helping build the culture, processes, and long-term success of the Martinsville operation.
• Grow professionally through ongoing learning, development, and advancement opportunities.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation (Pay Range: $105K – $140K / per year)
• Paid Time Off (4 Weeks Year 1-10, 5 Weeks 10+ years)
• Paid Holidays (New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Plan w/ 5% annual employer contribution
• Wellness Programs and Employee Resources
• Professional Development and Career Growth Opportunities

Ready to Build Something Meaningful?

If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a lasting impact with a company that values safety, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of the Nathan Trotter team ➡️ Candidate Submission Form

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Nathan Trotter & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.