Job Description:

As the Engineering Manager for Hazel Technologies, you will be responsible for leading our product engineering team to refine and create innovative, high-quality products that delight our customers and drive business growth. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product, Supply Chain, Postharvest Operations, and Regulatory to develop and execute strategies that support our product pipeline and lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Manage engineering team personnel with backgrounds in chemistry, chemical engineering, and material science.
• Coordinate engineering resources for cross-department projects.
• Oversee basic quality control analysis and control charting of our products to ensure consistent performance of our core product lines and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide scientific leadership, mentorship; promote a culture of excellence and high-quality output that furthers Hazel’s business goals.
• Support research staff in personal and professional development.
• Promote a culture of safety by enforcing safety guidelines in the Hazel laboratories.
• Manage incoming experimental requests, assign requests to appropriate team members, and support project timelines
• Support team through hiring and mentorship of staff. Conduct bi-annual reviews with all team members, set bi-annual objectives, and monitor work product output through weekly check ins. Help staff prioritize work and assist in removal of barriers to project success.
• Provide experimental design support and quality control of the scientific process. Review experimental plans to ensure efficient use of resources. Review experiment data and reports. Guide data interpretation and presentation.
• Develop a subject matter expertise on Hazel’s products and systems. Be available to support a team consisting with questions about product mechanisms / use case, experimental methodology, and lab structure.
• Work closely with Hazel’s product, supply chain, and regulatory teams to support roll out of new products. i.e. design internal and external trials, design quality methods, reformulate products to meet revenue and sustainability targets.
• Oversee analytical chemistry and wet labs to ensure equipment and spaces are highly functional for research.
• Manage team budget, including and especially the laboratory facility budget.

Qualifications:

• 7 years of experience in industrial research and development, with a focus on Chemistry, Material science, or chemical engineering.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and supporting high-performing R&D teams involving scientists and engineers (large or small)
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Passion for innovation and a deep understanding of consumer preferences and market trends in the postharvest industry
• Agricultural science exposure preferred, but not required
• Occasionally moving items up to 30lbs around the office