Technical Manager - Plating Laboratory & Environmental Compliance

Premier Staffing Solution • Contract • Hazel Park, Michigan • 3m ago

Our Client is seeking a highly skilled Technical Manager to oversee the plating laboratory and environmental compliance functions. This individual will serve as the technical backbone of our chemical processes - ensuring plating baths are tightly controlled, laboratory operations are reliable, and environmental systems meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and sustainability. This is a hands-on, leadership role that bridges laboratory chemistry, environmental systems, and compliance oversight. The Technical Manager will work closely with operations, quality, and leadership teams to ensure our processes consistently deliver superior results for our customers while meeting all regulatory and environmental obligations.

Plating Laboratory Responsibilities

Direct and oversee daily operations of the plating laboratory, ensuring it functions as a center of technical excellence.
Perform and supervise routine chemical titrations, analytical testing, and process checks to verify bath chemistry and plating performance.
Implement corrective actions through precise chemical additions and process adjustments, preventing off-spec conditions.
Maintain detailed documentation of test results, bath histories, and corrective actions, aligned with ISO quality systems.
Collaborate with production teams to troubleshoot plating issues and ensure baths are optimized for throughput, quality, and cost control.

Environmental & Regulatory Responsibilities

Serve as the primary steward of Our Clients environmental compliance, ensuring all operations meet or exceed local, state, and federal requirements.
Oversee and maintain the wastewater treatment (WWT) system, ensuring proper operation, reporting, and discharge compliance.
Manage all environmental permitting activities, including renewals, amendments, and interactions with regulatory agencies.
Lead and sustain the company's ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, coordinating audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Track, analyze, and report environmental performance metrics to leadership and regulatory bodies.

Leadership, Training & Safety

Provide technical leadership to laboratory technicians, operators, and environmental staff, fostering a culture of precision, safety, and accountability.
Train employees on laboratory methods, chemical handling, and environmental procedures to build organizational capability.
Act as the technical liaison during customer audits, environmental inspections, and compliance reviews.
Champion continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve bath life, minimize environmental footprint, and enhance sustainability practices.
Ensure laboratory and environmental operations align with Our Clients values of innovation, ownership, and process excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
5+ years of experience in plating, surface finishing, or chemical process management, with a proven track record of plating bath control and environmental compliance.
Strong working knowledge of plating chemistries, analytical testing methods, wastewater treatment systems, and regulatory requirements.
Experience leading ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and successful audit outcomes.
Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to train and mentor staff.
A hands-on, detail-oriented mindset with the ability to troubleshoot, innovate, and implement solutions quickly.