Senior Manager, Lab

Our Story:

Dover Food Retail (DFR) is a leading manufacturer of Display Cases, Specialty Products, Refrigeration Systems, Power Systems and Comprehensive Services; and leading our industry by Innovating Next in glass doors and intelligent merchandising technologies that keep food safe under brands such as HillPhoenix and Anthony.

DFR is part of the Climate and Sustainability Technologies segment of the Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV). Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues in excess of $7 billion.

DFR is built on creativity and customer-centric innovation delivered by people invigorated by a strong sense of responsibility to help our customers win in their marketplaces. The relationships we build with our customers are as important to our success as the products we manufacture. This collaborative environment delivers FRESH THINKING, reassuring our customers that they choose the best when they choose to work with the people of Dover Food Retail.

Job Title: Senior Manager, Lab

Location: Richmond, VA

What we're looking for:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced refrigeration Senior Manager, Lab to oversee and manage all aspects of our state-of-the-art refrigeration testing facility in our display case division. This role is crucial for driving infrastructure maintenance and development, supporting new product development testing, and effectively managing a team of skilled lab personnel. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in refrigeration systems, testing methodologies, and leadership skills to ensure the lab operates efficiently and meets all project goals. This position will have 10 direct reports.

What you'll be responsible for in this role:

• Develop a strategic plan for supporting all types of thermal, structural, electrical, and reliability testing for refrigerator display cases.
• Develop and drive the DVP&R (Design Verification Plan and Report) for all types of projects (NPD- New Product Development, Cost, Quality and Sustaining engineering).
• Develop a strategic plan for lab expansion with Natural refrigerant (Co2 and R290) testing capabilities.
• Coordinate with Offshore testing centers to develop the capability and drive the project priority testing.
• *Strategic planning and innovation- Should be able to provide guidance to leadership on strategic Lab planning and R&D innovation testing roadmap and provide industry guidelines on compliance and regulations testing needs to the organization to drive new testing guides.

• Guides and drives the testing portion of strategic planning sessions and provides technical guidance to the team on upcoming testing needs.
• Acts as SME (Subject Matter Expert) in Product Approval and lab Operations

• Design, plan, and implement the development and upgrade of refrigeration lab infrastructure to meet industry standards and project requirements.
• Ensure all lab equipment and tools are properly calibrated, maintained, and functional to support testing activities and minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, contractors, and vendors for infrastructure improvements and resource procurement.
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for lab equipment usage, safety, and maintenance protocols.
• Chalk out the lab expansion needs and work with cross-functional teams including finance on capital appropriation

• Develop and execute testing plans (DVP&R/Requirements Management) to validate refrigeration systems, components, and prototypes for new product development.
• Analyze test results and provide data-driven insights to the engineering and product development teams to improve performance and reliability.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards (e.g., ASHRAE, NSF, UL) and environmental regulations during testing.
• Implement innovative testing methodologies and tools to improve the efficiency and accuracy of testing processes.
• Execute all product approval testing and guide the engineering team on the failure modes.
• Work closely with R&D and engineering teams to define testing parameters and objectives for new product development.
• Drive lab priority meetings with cross-functional team to understand changing lab testing priorities and manage the testing as needed in an agile environment

• Recruit, train, and lead a team of technicians, engineers, and support staff to execute lab activities effectively.
• Assign tasks, monitor progress, and ensure timely completion of all testing projects.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the lab team.
• Create and manage the lab budget, ensuring cost-effective operations without compromising quality.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and identify opportunities for team development and training.
• Conduct Customer acceptance test plan and execute as needed.
• Mentor the offshore testing facility engineers and technicians, Leverage the offshore testing center to manage lab priorities

• Oversee quality control processes to ensure the reliability and accuracy of testing data.
• Prepare detailed reports, summaries, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders based on test outcomes and per DVP&R
• Identify and address technical issues or discrepancies during testing and troubleshooting processes.
• Ensure proper documentation of all test plans, procedures, results, and lab activities.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing, and marketing, to align lab operations with organizational goals.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to support product innovation and problem-solving efforts.
• Stay updated on advancements in refrigeration technologies, testing methodologies, and regulations to drive continuous improvement in lab operations.

What are the basic qualifications?

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Thermal or Refrigeration emphasis a plus)
• 10 year's minimum experience with 3 years of experience in people management ora Master's degree with8years minimum experience and3 years people managament ora PhD degree with 6years minimum experience and 3 years people management.

What are the preferred qualifications?

• Masters and PE preferred
• Preferred Six Sigma Black Belt and Certified Reliability Engineer
• Proven experience in managing lab infrastructure development and new product testing.
• Experience in testing refrigeration systems, lab management, or related roles.
• Knowledge and working experience with Natural Refrigerants (Co2 and R-290) is preferred along with Rack systems (Co2 Booster System etc.)
• Knowledge about requirements management or DVP&R (Design verification plan and reporting) is a must.
  

To be a great fit for the role:

• Strong understanding of refrigeration systems, thermodynamics, and heat transfer principles.
• Expertise in industry standards (e.g., ASHRAE, NSF, UL) and environmental regulations related to refrigeration.
• Proficiency in using testing equipment, data acquisition systems, and simulation tools.
• Experience with data analysis software and reporting tools.

• Excellent leadership and team management abilities, with a track record of successfully leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and reporting.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

How We Define Our Values and Why You Should Join Our Team:

The backbone behind our collection of outstanding businesses is a team of dedicated employees who protect and enhance our valued reputation for quality and delivering what we promise. It's our values that define Dover to all our key audiences: our shareholders, customers, prospective employees and especially to ourselves.

These values must be expressed in our work and embody our actions, as they form the basis by which we do our jobs, make decisions and measure our performance. It's our unwavering commitment to maintaining our values that defines who we are as a Company.

• Collaborative Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Winning Through Customers
• Respects and Values People
• Expectations for Results
• High Ethical Standards, Openness, and Trust

What's in it for you?

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending
• Paid Holidays

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The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

Dover Food Retail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.