Metalworking Technology Manager

DIVISION: Ashburn Chemical (D-Ash Industrials)

REPORTS TO: President of D-Ash Industrial

TRAVEL: Up to 15% (customer sites, trade shows, supplier visits)

Ashburn Chemical, a division of D-Ash Industrials is a specialty fluids manufacturer focused on metalworking fluid solutions serving customers across the automotive, aerospace, energy, and general manufacturing sectors. We are building a scalable, acquisition-driven industrial platform with a commitment to technical excellence, customer partnership, and continuous innovation.

The Metalworking Technology Manager is responsible for leading the formulation, development, and continuous improvement of Ashburn Chemical’s metalworking fluid portfolio. This individual will drive new product development from concept through commercialization, provide technical leadership across the laboratory, and serve as a bridge between R&D, production, sales, and the customer. The ideal candidate combines formulation chemistry expertise with hands-on lab capability, a passion for solving real-world machining challenges, and the ability to translate customer needs into differentiated products.

• Formulate, develop, and optimize metalworking fluids to meet performance, cost, and regulatory targets
• Evaluate and select raw materials through systematic screening and performance testing
• Design and execute lab experiments across key performance parameters (corrosion protection, lubricity, foam control, microbial resistance, fluid stability) and lead competitive product analysis and benchmarking
• Manage the new product development pipeline from concept through production, trial, and commercial launch
• Prepare samples of R&D formulas and record test data to establish QC specifications
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging raw material technologies, and supplier innovations
• Represent the company at conferences such as STLE and ILMA

• Provide technical support to the commercial team including product recommendations, troubleshooting, field sample analysis, and on-site customer visits to evaluate fluid performance and develop tailored solutions
• Support customer trials and product qualifications
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations, training materials, and application-specific documentation for internal and external audiences

• Direct daily lab operations, QC testing, R&D activities
• Maintain organized records including R&D reports, customer technical service reports, QC logs, TDS, SDS, and Certificates of Analysis
• Ensure laboratory safety, cleanliness, and compliance with company policies and local, state, and federal regulatory bodies
• Collect, label, organize, and archive laboratory samples including raw materials, batch retains, competitive products, and experimental materials
• Supervise and develop laboratory technicians
• Mentor junior staff and foster a culture of knowledge sharing and scientific rigor
• Collaborate cross-functionally with procurement, production, commercial, and marketing teams to align R&D priorities with business objectives
• Manage project timelines and milestone communication
• Ability to provide technical oversight and management of laboratory personnel at additional facilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 5-8 years of experience in metalworking fluid formulation, development, or technical support
• Strong working knowledge of lubrication chemistry, emulsion science, surfactant technology, and additive systems used in metalworking fluids
• Demonstrated experience with analytical and performance test methods for metalworking fluids
• Familiarity with ASTM and other industry standard test methods relevant to metalworking fluids, rust preventatives, and cleaners/degreasers
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, analyze complex data, and solve technical problems with a sense of urgency
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Willingness to be a hands-on bench chemist and perform routine testing as needed alongside strategic formulation work
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

• Master’s degree or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of progressive experience in metalworking fluid R&D, with prior people management responsibility
• Experience formulating across the full MWF spectrum
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation for evaluating MWF
• Knowledge of tribology principles and industrial machining processes and equipment
• Prior involvement in new product commercialization, including scale-up from laboratory to production
• Industry involvement with organizations such as STLE, ILMA, or other industry technical committees