Laboratory Manager at Gastops

Position Type: Permanent Fulltime

Work Schedule: Onsite

Work Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Role status: New Role

About Gastops: Moving You since 1979

Over the last 47 years, Gastops has built a robust business which is recognized worldwide for its innovative contributions to equipment health management in the aviation, energy, marine, industrial and transportation industries. Gastops’ products and services add value throughout the life cycle of complex critical equipment from the design stage through to in-service operations and support. We design, manufacture, and support advanced equipment sensing and analysis products, including on-line oil debris sensors, torque measurement sensors, turbine blade health sensors, and at-line oil analysis systems.

Gastops’ oil analysis laboratory provides a wide variety of fluid and debris analysis services to aerospace, defense, marine, and industrial customers around the world. Through quick turnaround times and deep applications knowledge, this analysis offers valuable insight into the health of high-value and safety-critical equipment. Based in Dartmouth NS and working on-site 5 days a week, the Laboratory Manager position will report directly to the Business Unit Operations Manager - Energy, Marine, & Land. The purpose of this role is to provide operational leadership to the oil analysis laboratory team, with the objective of delivering top quality services to our customers on time, on budget, and in compliance with all relevant requirements.

What You’ll Do

The Laboratory Manager is a key member of the Nova Scotia Service Centre Operations team and holds primary responsibility for the execution of fluid and debris sample analysis and reporting. In addition, they will be expected to ensure a safe, professional, and quality-focused environment is always maintained in their area. They will also provide direct supervision to the Laboratory Technician(s) employed within the Service Centre. Specific duties of the Lab Manager will include:

• Day-to-day management of lab operations, balancing resources and workload to ensure that all work is completed in a safe, timely and accurate manner
• Responsible for achieving and reporting on key performance metrics, including on time delivery, turnaround time, quality, cost, customer satisfaction, etc.
• Coordinate accurate and timely billing/invoicing for all lab samples and services.
• Directly supervise and manage all Lab technicians. This includes assignment of daily activities, time/vacation/absence management, objective setting and evaluation, performance management and discipline, career planning, conflict resolution, etc.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training as required to maintain adequate staffing levels. Work closely with Human Resources to attract and retain strong candidates for all lab roles.
• Work closely with programmatic customers’ operations teams to ensure high levels of satisfaction, proactively address issues, and improve alignment
• Guarantee that accurate records and traceability for all lab samples are maintained.
• Ensure work is completed and documented in accordance with all applicable standards (ISO 9001, ASTM/ISO test methods, internal procedures, etc.)
• Lead internal and external audits in their area and takes responsibility for resolving non-conformances and driving quality improvements.
• Create, validate, and update process documentation, including work instructions, procedures, safe work practices, etc. as applicable.
• Identify and purchase shop tooling and supplies as required to support operations while respecting established budget.
• Oversee the safe handling and storage of chemicals, compressed gas cylinders, and other laboratory materials in accordance with SDS sheets and other requirements.
• Ensure that appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used by all lab personnel and visitors.
• Ensure all relevant lab cleanliness standards are upheld.
• Manage training for themselves and the members of their team. Proactively identify training needs and source or perform training as needed. Ensure all training is properly documented and maintained.
• Work closely with Engineering to drive continuous improvement and proactively identify opportunities to improve delivery or quality, reduce cost or waste, etc.
• Support internal research and engineering projects by providing resources and support as needed.

Please note that this job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of every duty and responsibility that will ever be required of an employee in the job.

What You Bring

• Experienced people leader, with excellent interpersonal skills and a willingness to have difficult conversations when needed.
• Strong and clear communicator; able to communicate clearly and succinctly in writing and verbally to varied audiences.
• Motivated self-starter with a results-oriented focus and an eye for continuous improvement.
• Very organized, with strong multi-tasking skills and the ability to manage others’ time as well as their own.
• Highly detail oriented, with a knack for rigorously following processes and maintaining strong documentation.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, operations management, or similar.
• 5+ years experience working in laboratory, manufacturing, repair & overhaul, or similar industrial environments.
• 2+ years directly managing people is essential, preferably front-line production staff or similar. Significant experience with hiring and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams to achieve key performance metrics in a technical and fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing labour and indirect costs against established budgets.
• Ability to track performance and analyze data to support objective, data-based decision making and drive improvement.
• Knowledge of equipment health monitoring and/or repair, fluid & debris analysis, military, aeronautical, or industrial equipment applications considered an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel data analysis skills.
• Experience using ERP or similar software.
• Experience in ISO 9001, ASTM/ISO test methods, internal procedures

What We Offer You

At Gastops, we’ve built a passionate and collaborative workforce with a strong, vibrant culture that’s key to our success. We reward and support our people with competitive compensation and a total rewards approach.

• Salary Range for this position: $85,000–$105,000 (final compensation based on experience, skills, and fit)
• Bonus or Profit sharing and share purchase programs
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Social activities, company sponsored events and opportunities to give back to our local community

We welcome applicants at all career stages – from emerging professionals to seasoned experts. Role level and scope may be adjusted to match your background.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: At Gastops, people are at the center of our recruitment process. We may use AI-enabled tools for limited administrative purposes such as creative outreach messages, transcribing interviews, or assisting with notetaking. These tools are not used to make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed by our recruiters and hiring managers, and final decisions are made by people using their professional judgment and experience. Our commitment is to use technology responsibly, while ensuring fairness, transparency, and respect at every stage of the process.

Accessibility: Gastops is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to acquiring a skilled and diverse workforce. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, origins, ages, orientations, genders, creeds and religions. Gastops accommodates people with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. Gastops is an excellent place to work, and we look forward to meeting with you! If contacted regarding this position, please advise the interview coordinator of any accommodation measures you may require.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.