Director of Engineering

NSF; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

NSF is seeking an Engineering Director/Business Leader to profitably manage and grow the Ann Arbor, MI lab operation. The role reports to the VP, Global Labs and requires driving strategic initiatives, financial targets, and operational excellence across a diverse team.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in laboratory operations, P&L management, and leadership, with the ability to build talent and collaborate across business units to advance NSF’s mission.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience guiding large teams in a lab setting.
• Proven ability to manage P&L and drive revenue growth.
• Strong strategic thinker with a track record of implementing operational improvements.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, QA, LIMS, and testing practices.
• Excellent cross‑functional collaboration and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Profitably manage and expand NSF Lab Operation in Ann Arbor, MI.
• Develop and implement division strategy with measurable KPIs.
• Ensure financial/operational goals and growth aligned with NSF values.
• Oversee SOPs, systems, tools, and processes for operational excellence.
• Lead culture of high performance, develop leaders, and recruit top talent.
• Manage budgets and present resources to achieve revenue and margin targets.

Skills

Leadership

P&L Management

Strategic Thinking

Laboratory Operations

Cross-functional Collaboration

Change Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

Job Description

We are currently looking for an Engineering Director/Business Leader who will be responsible to profitably manage and expand the NSF Lab Operation located in Ann Arbor, MI United States. As the Laboratory Director/Business Leader for our North America Laboratories you will report to the VP, Global Labs.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development and implementation of the division’s strategy
• Ensures financial and operational goals and growth strategies are achieved and aligned with customer expectations and the NSF strategy, mission and values
• Ensures standard operating procedures are implemented, partnering with the division and functions to ensure systems, tools and processes achieve operational excellence.
• Ensures successful implementation of initiatives across the Engineering Labs including organizational changes, integration of mergers and acquisitions, growth programs, and implementation of new technologies
• Conducts business reviews to understand progress toward Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and timelines, mitigates risk, and ensures achievement of business and financial metrics
• Reports on lab’s performance
• Develops a culture of engaged, high performing, developed and accountable talent to support the organization.
• Ensures teams are empowered to meet and exceed goals through performance management, leadership development, and business acumen
• Attracts and retains the best talent through effective recruiting, coaching and mentoring
• Leads by example by exhibiting the NSF values. Serves as a strong motivator and leader for team members, inspiring talent to achieve higher levels of performance, with a focus on Quality, HSSE and lab throughput.
• Maintains positive team-oriented operations that support the NSF positive culture vision
• Develops and manages the division’s budget aligned with the leadership team. Presents the budget, impact, positioning, deliverables, and resources to ensure achievement of revenue and margins as defined in the strategy and goals.
• Establishes and maintains critical relationships with internal Business Unit stakeholders including lab related BU VP’s and senior leaders, employees, communities, governments, outside vendors and partners, and others as required to achieve global strategies and objectives
• Ensures superior end customer and internal customer care and achievement of expectations and needs.
• Communicates throughout the organization in a timely manner with leaders, team members, cand all internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree Required Master's-Degree a plus (Engineering spaces)
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in management/leadership of 60+ employees
• Prefer previous experience in managing technical and commercial laboratory services in testing. Certification experience is desirable, but not essential and in developing and expanding service offerings in line with BU strategy.
• Prefer general knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations, safety, QA, laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and testing procedures.
• Experience with managing P&L including allocating resources and managing expenses to achieve or exceed revenue and profit targets
• Thought Leader with a strategic mindset and a strong ability to build and lead teams, including selecting and developing talent, building trust, coaching team members, managing performance resulting in high performing teams and developing other leaders
• Sound collaborator that understands customer needs and deliver customer‑centric solutions aligned with the mission and goals
• Demonstrated business acumen, including ability to build relationships, interpret financial indicators, adopt innovative ideas and apply knowledge of the business to advance organizations goals
• Excellent communicator with the ability to develop and deliver organizational messages using various communication modes for transparency and clarity of messages with teams in a consistent and timely manner
• Ability to lead change, fostering transparency and collaboration with a global mindset, engagement with stakeholders across programs and geographies to achieve business results

About Us

With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.

One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we’re one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.

Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.

NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third‑party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third‑party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

About The Team

NSF's global network of state-of-the‑art laboratories is the "backbone" of NSF's comprehensive testing and certification services. Staffed by engineers, chemists, microbiologists and toxicologists, we offer world‑class technical expertise across the food, water and life sciences industries.