Lab General Manager (Lithia Springs-Atlanta, GA)

SUMMARY

Responsible for the leadership and management of the Atlanta Lab. The Lab General Manager oversees overall lab operations including production process management, quality and continuous improvement, equipment and maintenance, safety and administration functions. Achieves goals by providing direction, organization, coordination, communication and employee development. Builds a cohesive team, leading by example and managing directly through lab supervisor and group leads. Manages the lab budget and meets expected profitability by controlling labor, material and other costs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads by example, demonstrating a strong commitment to customer satisfaction through their own actions. Builds strong partnerships with labs across the country, the Customer Service team and other business teams to understand customers’ needs and deliver a top quality product with fast, reliable turnaround times in order to grow our strategic integrated offer businesses.

• Champions continuous improvement and influences change efforts to help better meet changing customer needs and to achieve efficiency.

• Delivers against operational budgets, forecasts and profit targets. Implements cost effective systems of control over capital, operating expenditures, staffing, and labor costs. Makes trade-offs across the lab to balance demands and competitive pressures when investing in the lab and controlling expenses.

• Ensures team leverages their knowledge of operation and employee capabilities to optimize workflow. Ensures team works together to quickly alter workflow when required. Follows standard operating procedures and suggests improvements to management.

• Provides team with clear performance objectives directly tied to lab performance expectations for service, quality, productivity and growth. Creates an environment that inspires the team to take personal ownership for achieving goals and driving performance improvement.

• Provides leadership that fosters teamwork, employee respect, empowerment, and open communication. Recommends, implements and coordinates with appropriate resources “best practices” and policies that maximize employee development, training and performance.

• Prioritizes and invests in the development of the organization and its people. Ensures rewards reflect the value of the employee’s contribution to the business. Ensures activities are in place to continuously develop departmental employees and assess future management/leadership potential.

• Reviews and analyzes DVI reports, audits, spoilage, and key indicator reports to determine cause of quality or production issues.

• Completes employee performance reviews/evaluations and recommends salary revisions.

• Plans and directs the employee training required to stay abreast of new product introduction.

• Responds to customer complaints and concerns as appropriate.

• May be assigned other duties, as determined by the Regional Vice President.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Develops alternative solutions. Works well in group problem solving situations. Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

• Customer Service - Manages difficult customer situations. Responds promptly to customer needs. Solicits customer feedback to improve service. Responds to requests for service and assistance. Meets commitments.

• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming. Maintains confidentiality. Listens to others without interrupting. Keeps emotions under control. Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.

• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Listens and gets clarification. Responds well to questions. Participates in meetings.

• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

• Delegation - Delegates work assignments. Matches the responsibility to the person. Gives authority to work independently. Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities. Provides recognition for results.

• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others. Inspires and motivates others to perform well. Effectively influences actions and opinions of others. Accepts feedback from others. Gives appropriate recognition to others.

• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating, and process improvement. Takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities. Makes self available to staff. Provides regular performance feedback. Develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth. Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external). Fosters quality focus in others. Improves processes, products, and services. Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions. Displays orientation to profitability. Demonstrates knowledge of the market and competition. Aligns work with strategic goals.

• Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Educates others on the value of diversity. Promotes a harassment-free environment. Builds a diverse workforce.

• Ethics - Treats people with respect. Keeps commitments. Inspires the trust of others. Works with integrity and ethically. Upholds organizational values.

• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures. Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time. Supports organization’s goals and values. Benefits organization through outside activities. Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; however, a combination of education and experience may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years progressive management experience in a custom made-to-order manufacturing environment

• Minimum 10 years demonstrated excellent customer relations; direct customer relationship experience required

• Minimum 5 years of managing exempt supervisory staff; demonstrated excellent employee relations required

• Minimum 5 years direct P&L accountability required

• Demonstrated abilities with successful implementation of manufacturing methods and process

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, talk, and hear for 5 to 8 hours. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The laboratory environment is clean, quiet, and cold. The employee will be exposed to caustic chemicals and electricity. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.