Lab Manager, Enabling Technologies

Novelis • Novi, MI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Novelis is a global leader in aluminum recycling and rolling, providing sustainable aluminum solutions for aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging, and specialty markets. With a purpose of shaping a sustainable world together, Novelis collaborates with customers on innovative solutions. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company employs approximately 13,000 people across 32 operating facilities on 4 continents. The Manager, Enabling Technologies role is crucial for overseeing the complex operations of the laboratories within the Novelis North America Lab in Novi, MI. This position requires strong technical expertise across multiple scientific fields and involves close collaboration with Novelis North America automotive teams, R&D teams, NNA manufacturing facilities, and key automotive customers. The role supervises a team of specialized engineers, technologists, and technicians who are experts in the equipment and technologies necessary for implementing new aluminum sheet automotive products, directly contributing to strategic objectives. A paramount focus is placed on maintaining a safety-first mentality, aligning with the goal of Vision Zero Injuries. The NNA Novi laboratories are strategically located near key automotive customers to provide direct support through project delivery, solution design, and technology testing. Additionally, these labs serve as a resource for the broader automotive industry to address production challenges, facilitate product qualification, and enable customers to test future products using the lab's assets.

Requirements

• Bachelors in Engineering (Materials, Mechanical, Aerospace) or equivalent experience required.
• More than 10 years experience in a technical engineering environment involving metal structures, preferably hands-on, manufacturing, lab or production design in the transportation industry.
• Demonstrated understanding of material requirements, forming and joining requirements, structural performance requirements, and corrosion resistance requirements for Novelis products as applied by automotive customers, and the testing required to support and develop such applications.
• Working knowledge of auto body and/or closure design, testing standards, joining, formability.
• Experience working with aluminum and steel materials.
• High degree of proficiency in computer software applications with a systematic approach.
• Ability to address large groups for presentations and training as needed.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Masters or PhD preferred.
• Industrial lab management (equipment and personnel) experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to work well with diverse workgroups and cultures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safe workplace through active management of safety for all activities and personnel in the facility, and ensure a positive “safety first” culture is established and maintained at the facility.
• Manage workflow for labs (metallurgy, joining, formability, laser, and hot/cold stamping development cell) including resourcing, test scheduling, testing methodologies, developing solutions and testing proof of concepts for automotive customers.
• Directly manage or provide guidance to area leaders for project definition, project management, and gate review of enabling technology projects supporting automotive customers and Novelis automotive Lab initiatives, and provide technical leadership to the team to navigate complex situations requiring the team to adapt or develop new solutions through analytical, interpretative, creative and innovative thinking.
• Work with automotive R&D and Value Stream technical leadership to develop and maintain 5 year strategic direction of the Novi facility, and use the diverse technical talent and budget to enhance lab competency, equipment, and employees to deliver on the strategic direction of Novelis and automotive customers.
• Develop annual budget (Operating cost and capital costs) to maintain and address needs of the facility supporting strategic direction of the Lab.
• Ensure proper data and laboratory records are maintained and all intellectual property protection methods are employed.
• Represent Novelis to key automotive customers and their personnel to show enabling technologies that will influence the implementation and specification of Novelis’ products into future vehicles.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Health savings accounts – Company Funded Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Company-paid basic life insurance and Additional voluntary life coverage
• Paid vacation and competitive personal time off
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Retiree Medical Plans – medical and prescription drug coverage through Novelis sponsored Retiree Health Access Retirement Savings Account
• Employee assistance programs – available 24/7 to you and your family
• Wellness and Work Life Support - career development and educational assistance!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager