Mix Lab Manager

At Transitions Optical we help people live more vibrant lives by enhancing their vision and the way they perceive light.

We are the manufacturer of Transitions ® eyeglass lenses, the world's leading photochromic lens. Transitions ® lenses automatically adapt to changing light. They darken outdoors and return back to clear when you come inside.

Our talented people make significant advances in color science and lens materials, setting new standards of advanced performance to provide ever increasing visual comfort and optimum harmful blue light protection, and always blocking 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Product leadership, consumer focus, and operational excellence have made Transitions ® lenses one of the most recognized brands in optics.

Transitions Optical is part of EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses.

Position: Mix Lab Manager

Location: Transitions Optical, Amata, Chonburi

Reporting Manager: TOTL Plant Director with a functional reporting link to the Director of Photochromic Solutions & Systems

JOB FUNCTION:

The incumbent will be responsible for TOTL Mixing laboratory including: formulation, mixing, qualification and supply of high quality photochromic (PC & PU) & Europa solutions. Primary customers will be TOTL, TOPI, TOM and EDAM. He/she will support the strategic road map for delivering high quality photochromic & Europa solutions to the business in line with internal/external customer expectations.

The role will drive a focus on maintaining state of the art knowledge, supporting launch of new products, supply of dyes for new technology (i.e.: Lab-in-Lab) and keeping operating cost and inventory under control.

Supply of Photochromic dye & solutions to the business: Involves managing the receipt & scheduling of orders to effectively plan the mixing, bottling & shipping functions to satisfy the internal customers’ requirements (manufacturing sites & R&D team) ;

Logistics of Photochromic Mixing – working with global supply chain as well as customer, he/she will ensure that the products are properly delivered. Special focus on legal aspects (such as business license, customs, and other declarations) will have to be updated and sustained in TOTL.

Mixing Plant Operations – Implement proper operations including process control, KPI’s in the respect of ISO standards for Quality, Safety and environment. Ensure that there is sufficient capital investment to manage the capacity of the TOTL Mixing plant in line with growth projections. Ensure that the supply of PC, PU & Europa solutions is guaranteed on strategic initiatives (i.e. Lab-in-Lab etc.).

Raw materials & Photochromic Solutions – Partners with the Product Leadership, Materials Review Team (MRT) & Global Mix Lab in reviewing all specifications including tolerances for the relevant parameters. Be involved in new product and material replacement introductions to facilitate an effective industrialization process to the plants and ensure raw material & dye obsolescence is proactively managed. Manage the Disposition process of all photochromic solutions (in the event that batches do not pass Mix-Lab or plant laboratory checks) in association with PLT and Global Quality.  Coordinate raw material sourcing and qualification with PLT and TOI Mix Lab.

Communications & Reporting requirements – Developing a center of excellence in dye mixing, the incumbent will have to benchmark, setup, maintain and deploy the proper process control. A specific focus will be required to the confidentiality within the company as well as outside the company.

Teamwork & contacts with other functions – The incumbent will interact closely with the Photochromic Technoclub, Global Back up Mix Lab, R&D, Global Quality & Global Engineering team members, Global Procurement, Quality laboratories of all of our manufacturing sites, Plant Directors, Global Logistics staff and production personnel.

The above areas of responsibility will entail being able to apply significant technical skills, knowledge of quality & laboratory systems, supplier management considerations as well as experience of Transitions Optical’s production process and optical industry knowledge to a variety of suppliers & customer issues, process improvement projects, and trouble-shooting activities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, e.g., Chemical/Process Engineering.
• 10 years of related professional experience, e.g., Plant/Operations Management/Applied R&D.
• Experience of working in a laboratory/small plant environment driving process improvements.
• Exposure to Lean/Value stream mapping/Supply Chain concepts
• Good knowledge of ERP systems, MfgPro or equivalent
• Knowledge of the ophthalmic business
• Influencing skills at different levels within the organization
• Strong communication & prioritization skills.

• Management experience a plus