Description: World leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses.
Manage all technical, resource and administrative activities associated with the test labs, in support of Platform and Current Product Management projects, within established cost and project schedules. This includes supervision of personnel; asset, facility and process management; operational and capital budgeting; prioritizing, scheduling, conducting and reporting of tests; and development of advanced test technologies. Advise appropriate Management and Platform Teams of any potential problems and recommend solutions.
1. Provide leadership and development to 15 to 20 salary and hourly employees. Directly manage 3 to 5 team leaders/supervisors. 2. Plan, organize, prioritize and manage lab testing activities at in the most efficient manner to meet cost and schedule objectives. The scope of products covered includes Tractors and Construction Equipment. This necessitates collaboration with Platform and Design Leaders and Product Evaluation Managers. 3. Ensure that the Test Lab delivers accurate and timely test information, results and recommendations to facilitate problem resolution and product improvement. 4. Work closely with Simulations and Design Analysis groups for Ag Equipment to ensure an integrated approach between physical and virtual testing for reliability. 5. As appropriate, identify and develop external testing resources to provide additional testing capacity during peak workload periods. 6. Prepare and manage the departmental budget, to ensure the associated facilities, equipment and personnel are prepared to most effectively support the planned tests. Additionally, specify and execute an annual capital investment plan. 7. Develop, document and maintain test and equipment calibration and ISO procedures. 8. Procure or develop and implement new test technologies and methods to increase efficiency, precision, data management effectiveness, etc.
As the leader of one of the five major lab test facilities , this position, in collaboration with the Product Evaluation Managers and Engineering Teams, influences the achievement of component and product performance and reliability for a wide range of products - primarily Ag Equipment, but also including some Tractor and Construction Equipment products. Planning and organizing of work; assessing test feasibility and scheduling; assessing and communicating product risk; recommending product improvements; hiring and assigning personnel; making budget tradeoffs. Additionally, this role requires the formulation of recommendations to improve, continue or delay programs, based on test results. Requirements: •BS Engineering Degree or four-year technical degree in a mechanical discipline, as a minimum. •Minimum of 3 years of lab testing experience in a variety of areas.
