Supervisor, Quality Laboratory (Metallurgy)

About the Role

What You’ll Do

JOB PURPOSE

The Supervisor, Laboratory is responsible for leading laboratory operations and personnel to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant testing in support of manufacturing operations and customer requirements. The role manages daily laboratory priorities, employee performance and capability, quality and regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement while maintaining safe and effective laboratory operations.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Laboratory Operations & Production Support (35%)

Directs daily laboratory operations across assigned U.S. laboratory activities to ensure testing, inspection, and sample preparation are completed accurately and within required production and customer timelines. Establishes priorities, allocates laboratory resources, monitors workload and throughput, and adjusts operational priorities to meet changing production and customer requirements.

1. Quality, Technical & Regulatory Compliance (25%)

Ensures laboratory testing, inspection, documentation, and recordkeeping comply with approved procedures, work instructions, customer requirements, and applicable quality systems and accreditation requirements, including IATF 16949, AS9100, ISO/IEC 17025, and Nadcap MTL. Supports internal, customer, certification, and accreditation audits and ensures identified issues are appropriately addressed.

1. Laboratory Performance & Continuous Improvement (20%)

Monitors laboratory productivity, quality, turnaround time, and overall operational performance. Identifies and implements improvements that increase laboratory efficiency, reliability, capacity, and customer satisfaction. Investigates laboratory testing or process issues, supports root-cause analysis, and initiates appropriate corrective actions.

1. Laboratory Equipment & Operational Readiness (10%)

Ensures laboratory equipment, work areas, documentation, and resources are maintained in appropriate operating condition to support reliable testing and uninterrupted laboratory operations. Coordinates maintenance, equipment needs, and operational issues that may affect laboratory capability or performance.

1. Safety & Environmental Compliance (10%)

Ensures laboratory operations are conducted in accordance with company Health, Environmental & Safety requirements and applicable procedures. Maintains safe and organized laboratory work areas and addresses or escalates safety and environmental concerns as appropriate.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES (IF APPLICABLE)

1. Oversees daily operations to ensure standards and service levels are met
2. Directly supervises team members, including scheduling, task assignment, and performance management
3. Participates in hiring, onboarding, and training department employees
4. Conducts performance evaluations and provides ongoing coaching and feedback
5. Ensures compliance with company policies and applicable regulations
6. Supports employee engagement and retention strategies
7. Leads implementation of small-scale process improvements to enhance team efficiency and service levels
8. Monitors and analyzes team performance data to identify trends and inform staffing, workflow, and performance management decisions

Who You Are

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Five to eight years of progressively responsible laboratory, quality, materials testing, manufacturing, or related technical experience.
• Previous experience providing direct supervision or leadership of employees preferred.
• Experience working in a manufacturing or similarly regulated technical environment preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of laboratory testing practices, procedures, documentation, and quality requirements applicable to assigned laboratory operations.
• Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025, Nadcap MTL, AS9100, IATF 16949, and applicable customer-specific requirements.
• Working knowledge of employee supervision, performance management, training, and workforce planning practices.
• Ability to establish priorities and coordinate people, equipment, and workload in response to changing operational requirements.
• Ability to analyze technical and operational problems, determine appropriate actions, and drive issues through resolution.
• Ability to interpret procedures, technical requirements, quality standards, and laboratory data.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across production, quality, engineering, and other functions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable laboratory or business systems.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in laboratory, manufacturing, and office environments. The role regularly requires presence in laboratory and production areas where exposure to industrial equipment, chemicals, elevated temperatures, noise, and other manufacturing conditions may occur. Appropriate personal protective equipment is required in designated areas.
• The position may require flexibility in work schedule to support laboratory operations, production requirements, audits, employee needs, or issues occurring outside normal working hours.

Why Join Hitchiner?

• Mission-critical manufacturing: We use advanced automation and cutting edge equipment to support industries where precision and reliability matter.
• Internal mobility: We deeply invest in our people, offering training and leadership development opportunities so that employees can grow their careers with us.
• We win together: All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our annual profit-sharing bonus.
• Beautiful location: Fully updated and modernized buildings on a campus offering an onsite restaurant and gym.

Employee Benefits

Full time employees may elect to participate in a number of benefit programs, including Hitchiner’s Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, and 401(k) Employee Retirement Contribution Plan. The Company provides employees with basic company-paid short-term, long-term, and basic life/AD&D insurance.

Employees also have access to education and tuition reimbursement, wellness rewards, Employee Assistance Program, and our free onsite fitness center.

About Hitchiner

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Milford, New Hampshire, Hitchiner Manufacturing is the premier supplier of high-volume, complex thin-wall investment castings and fully finished casting-based components to the automotive, aerospace and defense markets.

Additional Information

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Hitchiner Manufacturing is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.

This position involves access to technical data, materials, and/or hardware subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employees must be able to meet export control eligibility requirements as a condition of employment. Who is considered a U.S. Person? A U.S. Person can be one of the following: U.S. Citizen, a U.S. lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), a refugee or asylee admitted under the U.S. law, or certain protected individuals under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Learn more about the ITAR here. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Hitchiner participates in the E-Verify program to confirm work authorization for all new hires in accordance with federal law.