Product Development Lab Manager

Product Development Lab Manager

 

 

We are a division of Blyth Inc., a $1+ Billion international leader in candle and home fragrance products. This position will be at our automated manufacturing plant in Batavia, IL.

 



 SUMMARY 

 

The Product Development Lab Manager assures that all lab scale work on new product development and product improvement initiatives is completed in a timely and accurate manner.  This individual is also accountable for the quality and integrity of all test data, samples, and documentation generated in the Product Development Laboratory.  The Product Development Lab Manager interfaces with Marketing on tactical new product SKUs and works with the Process Engineers and other departments on the development of new product technologies. They directly oversee the Product Development Technicians and are responsible for the daily activities, safety, and management of the Product Development Laboratory. 

 

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Oversee the development, testing, and approval of all tactical new product SKUs.  Work with PartyLite Product Marketing and Quality Assurance to resolve any issues that may arise in relation to new product approvals.

 Coordinate, prioritize and track all lab scale testing, raw material changes, product enhancement, and process change projects to ensure timely completion.

 Direct all raw material and finished goods testing by developing the appropriate test protocols, ensuring SOPs and methodologies are current and being properly executed, and reviewing all test results and documentation.  Testing responsibilities for the Product Development Laboratory include the execution, review, and archiving of fragrance kettle testing, stability and fade testing, burn testing and soot testing.

 Collaborate with the Process Engineers to support testing and lab-scale development work of new product technologies. 

 Administer the documentation management of the product development request forms.  These New Product Proposals are continually issued, revised, and dropped by PartyLite Product Marketing and these documents must be reviewed, distributed and archived.  This information must continually be updated in New Product tracking reports and provided to the Product Development Lab Technicians

Represent PartyLite Manufacturing tactical initiatives in the weekly update meeting with PartyLite Product Marketing and identify any issues that require resolution. Interface with PartyLite Manufacturing in the U.K. in regards to new product SKUs that are being co-developed for that facility. 

 Manage the scheduling, utilization, and performance integrity of the Burn Room, as well as all testing equipment in the Product Development Laboratory.  Ensure that laboratory materials are kept in supply and that the lab is maintained in a safe and orderly manner. Responsible for a variety of data management tasks such as requesting Operations interface updates from the Engineering department and preparing and approving formula database changes for Quality Assurance. 

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Directly supervises 5 Product Development Technicians.  Supervisory responsibility includes coordinating and tracking daily activities, interviewing, hiring, employee training, performance appraisals, rewarding / counseling / disciplining employees.  This individual is also responsible for all administrative, safety, and housekeeping matters in the Product Development Laboratory.

 

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

 

?  Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) from four-year college or university; and two to four years of business-related experience and/or training; or the equivalent combination of training and relevant business experience.

 

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

 

?  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures and statistical data.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, protocols, and standard operating procedures.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from peers, superiors, subordinates, and customers, both internal and external.  Ability to prepare and effectively present information to management.

 

 



MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

 

?  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, ratios, and conversion factors.  Must be able to interpret and calculate different units of measure for temperature, weight, volume, and density. 

 

 

REASONING ABILITY

 

?  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

 

 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

 

 

?  None required

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

 

?  Ability to differentiate depth of color and hue

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

 

?  While the primary area of responsibility for this position is the Product Development Laboratory, it is important to understand that the job takes place in a manufacturing environment.  Spending time on the production floor and interacting with Operations personnel / processes is integral to understanding our products.  The handling of waxes, additives, dyes, and fragrances is part of the job as well.

 

 

We offer a competitive benefits package. Interested individuals should submit resume, with salary history to: PartyLite Manufacturing, Attn: HR Department, 601 Kingsland Drive., Batavia, IL 60510, Fax: 630-482-2106 or email: corridan@batv.candlecorp.com .