Test Lab Manager

Test Lab Manager, Nefab West Packaging 

Nefab Group is on a growth journey, and we are dependent on high-performance people to succeed. Our Engineering & Design organization is vital for us to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-efficient solutions to our customers. We are now looking for a Test Lab Manager to join our team in Nefab Newark, CA. 

As a Test Lab Manager you will be responsible for managing testing operations and ensuring compliance with industry standards. You will contribute to improving packaging performance through testing insights.

You will be part of the Engineering & Design organization, supporting packaging testing and development activities. In the Engineering & Design function, you will collaborate with internal teams and customers to develop test plans, share insights, and support packaging improvements across functions.

This position is located in Newark, CA, and you will report to Manager of Design and Test Packaging Engineering.

Do you want to be part of a global organization and contribute to our growth journey? Apply to the position as Test Lab Manager today! 

Salary: 120,000-160,000 annually

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Use the test lab to help Nefab’s customers make better package design decisions. 
• Subject matter expert in transport testing and promote and educate the benefits of transport testing to Nefab staff and customers. 
• Supervise dynamic and climatic transport testing including, but not limited to: vibration, impact, shock and drop testing, compression, and environmental conditioning tests. 
• Prioritize test schedule. 
• Customer interface- work with external and internal customers to develop test requirements and test plans. 
• Ensure package tests are conducted in accordance with industry standards such as ISTA, ASTM, and/or to customers’ specifications. 
• Interpret test data to provide recommendations to customers on ways they can improve their packaging.  
• Working with Global Engineering, Nefab Americas and the Engineeringi and Test Manager of the West, establish growth and expansion plan for the test lab. 
• Lead the acquisition of new test equipment. 
• Coordinate completion of formal test reports. 
• Maintain test records and test reports in accordance with Nefab standards. 
• Ensure laboratory ISTA certification is maintained and renewed biennially. 
• Support R&D in the development of new test procedures, design concepts, materials, and tests. 
• Provides training to the engineering community to promote comparative analysis of package designs. 
• Improves and / or propose new working procedures within his / her team. 
• Follow ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025 Policies and Procedures. 

Your profile 

• Packaging Dynamics and Fragility Professional (ISTA PDP) certification or Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP) through ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) preferred but not required.  
• Possess a strong work ethic and a high level of professionalism. 
• Experience specifying, installing and growing a test laboratory equipment. 
• Experienced with reading and interpreting documents such as protocols, industry specifications (ASTM, ISTA) and procedures. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and general computer literacy. 
• Fast learner and ability to communicate clearly. 
• High focus on customer service, and willing to go above and beyond to get the job done. 
• Organized and impeccable follow-through skills 
• Critical analysis mindset, constantly thinking outside the box  
• Ability to find innovative solutions to complex problems. 
• Precision, accountability, customer focus, leadership, flexibility, judgment, maturity.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 

EDUCATION 

Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical engineering, industrial design, packaging technology, or similar engineering background. A specialized degree in packaging is not required but is a positive addition. A bachelor’s degree can be replaced by seven years of work experience in testing products and/or packaging. 

EXPERIENCE 

• Minimum 5 years of previous working laboratory experience preferred, ideally in conducting product/packaging testing. 
• Project Management experience is preferred 
• Experience with ERP systems is preferred 
• Experience building out a lab 

 LANGUAGES 

• Fluent in English, both written and verbal 
• Other language skills are considered a plus 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCES 

• Ability to manage multiple projects/activities; results driven. 
• Knowledge of product, logistics and manufacturing process. 
• Process oriented and ability to contribute to continuous improvement. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS 

HEALTH AND SAFETY 

• Abide by Company’s Health & Safety regulations. 

ENVIRONMENT 

• Competence/ experience in ISO 14001/17025 
• Knowledge of Nefab ISO 14001 Processes 
• Knowledge of waste separation system existing in the Company 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Physical Demands  

The physical demands and work environment described is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Physical Environment 

• The duties of this job include physical activities such as stooping, kneeling, standing, reaching, walking, lifting (1-40lbs), gripping, pushing/pulling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, and repetitive motions. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. 

Work Environment  

• Office working conditions are normal for an office environment.  Work will require infrequent local and international travel, overnight travel and weekend and/or evening work.   
• Plant working conditions include noise in excess of 90 dlb, Temperature ranging from 5– 34 Celsius, and some dust. Personal Protection Equipment is provided. 

The above description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions and duties as required for proper evaluation of the job and will not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job. Employees may perform other related duties and tasks as required to meet the needs of the operation. 

Company values and Ways of Working 

Our core values are Simplicity, Empowerment and Respect. Our ways of working are characterized by Customer First, Cooperation, and Communication. This means that we are always putting customers first, through cooperation and communication. We respect each other and the environment. People are empowered to grow and innovate to simplify. 

Application 

Impress us with your CV/resume and motivational letter, written in English. For further information or questions, please contact [email protected]

Nefab is an equal opportunity employer, embracing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to building teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe everyone has talent, and therefore welcome all applications. 

Nefab West Packaging is part of the Nefab Group, which was founded in 1949 and is a world leading global provider of sustainable packaging solutions and logistics optimization services. Nefab saves environmental and financial resources by optimizing supply chains. We do this by innovating together with our customers to create smarter packaging and logistics solutions while always respecting people and high ethical standards. This contributes to a better tomorrow for our customers, for society, and for the environment.  

With more than 75 years of experience combined with competence and presence in 38 countries, we offer global solutions and local service worldwide to companies in industries such as Telecom, Datacom, Semicon, Energy, Healthcare equipment, Mining & Construction, and LiB & E-mobility. Nefab Group has around 5,000 employees with a yearly turnover of 10.3 BSEK. The owners are the Nordgren/Pihl family and FAM AB, a privately owned holding company within the Wallenberg Ecosystem. 

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