Approvals Group Manager

FM•Glocester, RI

About The Position

The FM Approvals Group Manager – Laboratory Operations leads the people, programs, facilities, and technical activities required to deliver reliable, relevant, and globally recognized loss-prevention product testing and certification services. The role ensures laboratory and approvals activities are performed safely, efficiently, and with high standards of technical integrity while meeting the needs of FM Approvals. The manager develops a high-performing team, establishes priorities and operating plans, manages resources and budgets, advances laboratory capabilities, communicates program status, and supports growth of the certification and testing business. The position serves on the management team, contributes to operating and strategic plans, and provides visible leadership beyond the immediate group in support of broader organizational objectives.

Requirements

A master’s degree with at least 10 years of related experience, or a bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of related experience.
At least 7 years of management or supervisory experience in a laboratory, operating, manufacturing, testing, certification, or similarly complex technical environment, including leadership of exempt and non-exempt staff.
Demonstrated mastery in a relevant technical area and thorough knowledge of applicable product-testing standards, test methods, equipment, certification practices, and industry requirements.
Proven experience managing people, projects, budgets, schedules, facilities, and complex operations while implementing plans and balancing competing priorities.
Working knowledge of expense and capital budgeting, expense monitoring, cost accounting, resource allocation, and business planning.
Experience leading within a strong safety and environmental compliance culture.
Strong technical judgment, including the ability to analyze test data, apply a methodical problem-solving approach, and draw sound conclusions.
Excellent organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong client-facing, customer-service, influencing, negotiation, presentation, and business-development skills.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and collaborative communication skills.
Effective coaching, mentoring, consensus-building, conflict-resolution, and change-management skills.
Solid business acumen and the ability to evaluate costs, benefits, risks, and resource tradeoffs.
High integrity, self-motivation, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and relevant computerized planning and management tools.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering or another relevant technical discipline preferred.
An MBA is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the management team and contribute to operating plans, strategic priorities, key result areas, action plans, and short- and long-term objectives.
Recruit, lead, develop, coach, mentor, and retain a technically competent and motivated team of exempt and non-exempt employees; establish individual and group objectives and manage performance and compensation recommendations.
Create an inclusive, high-performance team culture that supports collaboration, accountability, change management, conflict resolution, and staff development.
Direct laboratory activities to ensure technically sound examination, testing, certification, and risk-service support for reliable, identifiable, available, and relevant loss-prevention products and services.
Coordinate and prioritize schedules for FM Approvals and Risk Service testing across applicable laboratories and facilities.
Provide technical leadership, maintain awareness of relevant technologies, standards, regulations, and industry developments, and ensure appropriate test methods, equipment, data analysis, and conclusions.
Assist with developing operating and capital budgets, monitor expenses and cost performance, and allocate resources in support of the overall business plan.
Plan and execute maintenance, improvement, and capital initiatives for laboratory equipment, data acquisition and process-control systems, facilities, and building systems.
Ensure personnel, equipment, and assigned space are used effectively and safely, supporting established safety, environmental, and compliance objectives.
Manage complex projects, schedules, and operational priorities within resource constraints, using disciplined and collaborative decision-making and problem-solving approaches.
Communicate program, project, operational, and financial status to management and key stakeholders, and represent the organization credibly with customers and industry participants.
Support growth, stability, recognition, and technical credibility of the FM Approvals and testing business through responsive customer service, sound business practices, and continuous improvement.
Provide visible leadership beyond the immediate group and support broader organizational objectives.