Technical Service and Lab Manager - Bristol, PA

Acquired by Steel Partners in February 2018 as part of the Diversified Industrial Segment, Dunmore manufactures innovative technical films for Aerospace, Automotive, Commercial Graphics, Packaging applications. Dunmore has deep expertise in novel coatings, films and multi-layer laminates based on 14,000 unique chemistries and constructions, and significant experience in handling foils, plastics and fabrics. As a trusted Industry partner for over 50 years, Dunmore collaborates with customers in high growth markets to design, develop and manufacture a range of highly engineered value-added product solutions. Dunmore clients include several Fortune 500 companies across 25+ countries and is a Gold Level Supplier to one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers. Dunmore's mission is to delight its customers through technical innovation, high levels of service and open collaboration to solve difficult application problems.

Summary

We are seeking a results-driven Technical Service and Lab Manager to lead Dunmore's Technical Services division by managing customer-focused technical support, product qualification, and lab operations while ensuring alignment with strategic R&D initiatives. This role will oversee a growing team focused on accelerating time-to-resolution, enhancing customer experience, and supporting the launch of high-value products through technical validation and support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership:
• Lead the Technical Services function as a key enabler of Dunmore's market and product expansion efforts.
• Collaborate with New Product Development, Business Development, and Operations to align customer-facing technical activities with strategic growth objectives.
• Define and drive KPIs around cycle time reduction, customer satisfaction, and technical support responsiveness.
• Team Management:
• Directly manage and mentor the Customer Solutions Specialist and Product Specialist roles.
• Build a high-performance culture through coaching, development plans, and performance feedback.
• Develop succession planning and skills development aligned with the company's SEED and continuous improvement programs.
• Customer Technical Solutions:
• Ensure fast and effective resolution of technical service requests (TSRs) and root cause investigations.
• Technical contact for customers to plan and guide development requests as well as advanced product applications or challenges.
• Champion data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement of customer support processes.
• Oversee lab trials, sample qualification, and technical reporting to meet both proactive and reactive customer needs.
• Lab Operations and Safety:
• Maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient laboratory environment.
• Lead capital planning for lab tools, oversee calibrations, and ensure equipment reliability.
• Promote lab modernization efforts, including ELN/LIMS implementation.
• Product & Process Validation:
• Support scale-up of new and customized products via pilot coater trials and production run validations.
• Strengthen documentation of technical data and test results for customer presentations and regulatory support.
• Cross-Functional Integration:
• Serve as the technical interface between R&D and customers, supporting Sales, QA, and Manufacturing with actionable technical insights.
• Lead efforts in reducing time-to-market for customized customer solutions and supporting Dunmore's aerospace and packaging market goals.

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

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational, documentation and multitasking skills in a fast-paced environment;
• Technical knowledge of films, coatings, laboratory test methods and equipment, formulating coating/adhesives, and science and math.
• Strong communication skills (written/verbal) on many organizational levels, analytical thinking, project management.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree or higher in science, preferably Chemistry or Material Science
• At least ten (10) year + technical laboratory experience
• Minimum five (5)+ years supervisory/management of technical projects and associates
• Good understanding of coating, printing, laminating applications / processes.

Physical Demands - OFFICE / TRAVEL

• Standing/Sitting: 60/40 %
• Walking/Bending/Stooping: 35%
• Lifting Requirements: 25 pounds
• Travel by air, rail, auto (10% of time)
• Work in manufacturing area, QA lab and office areas
• Exposures - Odors, Fumes, Noise, Chemicals, Temperature, Vision strain, Moving parts.

Dunmore International Corp. is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Dunmore makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, business needs at the time.