Lab Supervisor

**Title: Lab Supervisor - R&D Grills**

**Department: Research & Development - Grills**
**Reports to: Director of Grills**

**Employment type: Permeant Full time**
**Location: 214 Bayview Drive Barrie, ON**
Reporting to the Director of Grills, the Lab Supervisor is responsible for leading a small team to test, assess and validate new products for suitability for release to market. This includes functionality, aesthetics, and robust performance. Plan efficient and safe use of R&D resources while having a clear understanding of the applicable standards from regulatory authorities and scope of the project undertaken. Provide support to product engineering inclusive of new product development, research, retrofits, repairs, and any other testing that is required. Maintain and calibrate lab equipment. Must create and coordinate schedules and timelines for testing in the lab. Be a source for knowledge on technologies.
**Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities**:

- Supervises permanently, (and where applicable, temporary), assigned resources for testing and validation, including assigning tasks, monitoring performance, overseeing accuracy and completeness, coaching and mentoring. Responsible for performance and time management.
- Responsible for overall planning, scheduling, executing and reporting the evaluation of all new grill products (gas, electric, etc.), with respect to suitability for launch. Including but not limited to: appearance, fit and finish, aesthetics appearance, performance, efficiency, safety, functionality, robustness, installation and service. Provides recommendation for rejection, approval or changes in a structured and objective manner, balancing risk vs. return (i.e. consequences of product launch delay).
- Measure and track operational efficiency of high usage equipment; such as, but not limited to, airflow meter, gas analyzer, etc.
- Address possible conflicts with resource allocation and work to resolve those, including requesting overtime for temporarily or permanently assigned associates or additional resources to complete projects.
- Coordinate projects by creating schedule and delegating tasks. Ensure project timelines are maintained.
- Develop and document detailed test plans, design validation plans and work instruction. Schedule and prepare prototypes and test set ups. Perform tests for new product development, product evaluations, research, retrofits or repairs.
- Review and implement test plan as required by the applicable testing standards/codes and practices. Research and test competitor's products to aid in conceptualization of new and innovative products. Recommend design options.
- Assist in creation and assembly of fabricated prototype parts and models generated from drawing or verbal instruction.
- Coordinate conversions and retrofits of existing parts for new product.
- Test systems and components, operate and maintain test equipment, and troubleshoot electrical and control systems. Ensure unit under test, accessories, necessary parts and supplies of the test facilities are well maintained to reduce possible downtime. Ensure safe operation of lab equipment and safe workplace for all associates. Maintain all equipment in good standing for safe and proper operation. Maintain necessary preventative maintenance activities throughout R&D facility.
- Install equipment in the test rooms and hook up instrumentation as required. Ensure all the details have been implemented and test set up is complied with the applicable standard. Review requirements of test plan and choose required instrumentation, signal types, sensing locations and ensure proper operation of all equipment and sensors.
- Perform system performance, air flow, noise, vibration or any other physical tests with clear understanding of the parameters, measuring methodology, limitations, best practices, codes and standards. Actively participate in self-learning of new technologies and be a source for knowledge on technologies.
- Data collection, analysis and report, focusing on accuracy and completeness. Store all raw data, photographs, processed data, videos, reports etc. correctly in company test project folders. Appropriately record, analyze and interpret results to generate appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
- Analyze collected performance test results and ascertain their validity. Analyze test results for design options and/or recommend changes to equipment and/or system.
- Train and mentor temporary and permanently assigned Associates for safe work practice. Train Associates for assigned tasks and procedures. Maintain Associate training log and propose outside training (if required) for certain tasks.
- Provide input to supervisor / manager for annual performance review process for temporary or permanently assigned Associates.
- Ensure that accurate time is entered in HRIS for temporary or permanently assigned Associates.
- Work with product certification through outside lab. Source, generate and main