Engineering Test Site Manager - The Toro Company

at  The Toro Company

WHO ARE WE?

The Toro Company is a homegrown, Minnesota-based company that has been in business since 1914. We pride ourselves on providing world class equipment to help maintain the environment that we love, while putting an emphasis on giving back to the communities that surround us. From residential lawns and gardens, to venues such as St. Andrews Links and Target Field, we are a company with a global footprint and a passion for helping people beautify whatever landscape they may be in. With 100 years of operation under our belt evaluating products around the world and an average employee tenure of 15 years, come find out what makes The Toro Company the best place to build your career.
The engineering test site manager is responsible for the management of a field test facility including the supervision of: Field Test Projects, Technical Personnel, and Test Site Operations including equipment, grounds maintenance, and temporary labor personnel management.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

In order to grow and build a successful career with The Toro Company, you will be responsible for:
is responsible for the management of a field test facility including the supervision of: Field Test Projects, Technical Personnel, and Test Site Operations including equipment, grounds maintenance, and temporary labor personnel management.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Plan, supervise, and conduct field testing of various developmental and production Toro and competitive equipment using current technology, instrumentation, and communication methods to evaluate performance and durability, as specified, for design qualification and production validation tests. (50%)
• Supervise Test Technicians, field test crews and other personnel in operation, training, service, and maintenance of Toro equipment with accompanying record keeping, i.e. maintaining daily operating logs on test equipment
• Analyze failure modes of products on test and promptly reports results with suggested corrective action or changes in design
• Make entries in logs on work in progress and prepare reports on all phases of tests on a timely basis through the appropriate electronic communication system.
• Antenna maintenance (infrastructure) for projects
• Furnish technical assistance, prepare test areas, and make logistical plans to meet the needs of Toro personnel working at the test facility and at additional contracted product testing locations
• Collaboration with other Test Sites for similar products on field test and procedural consistency
• Personnel Development – Site Technicians and Operators
• Facility Maintenance (20%)
• Building Infrastructure Services: water, electricity, heat, structure, internet – ISP, Toro network, etc.
• Shipping requirements: HazMat training, UPS Worldship, LTL and Full truckload (Bookloads)
• Finance Management: invoice reconciliation for site expenses, temp labor personnel, uniforms, etc.
• Grounds/Turf Maintenance: nutrition, disease/pest control, irrigation, overseeding
• Shop Equipment Maintenance: reel and bedknife grinders, equipment calibration, etc.
• Supply Management: janitorial and shop supplies
• Temporary Labor Management (15%)
• Negotiate for cost effective temporary labor sources and arrange for perceptive supervision to assure expected performance from field test operations.
• Time Management: Approve time cards; monitor personnel/jobs; communicate project timelines
• Machine Training
• Site Safety (5%)
• Ensure Safety training for all staff
• Monthly Safety Call Reporting
• Periodic walk-throughs
• Support safety initiatives – behavior-based
• Service of fire suppression devices
• First aid supplies and defibrillator maintenance
• Machine Safety – Forklift maintenance
• Site Agreements/Contracts (5%)
• Maintain contacts to allow access to offsite turf areas used for performance or extended testing activities. Manage the Toro Test Site and other Test Site turf areas to meet specified requirements for development projects.
• Negotiate and assure compliance with remote site contractual agreements.
• Review area requirements for test needs and make contacts for special requests
• Plan, or assist in planning, the test site fiscal operating budget. Propose capital equipment expenditures for the improvement of the test site. (3%)
• Perform other related duties as apparent or assigned. (2%)

To be considered for this role, an individual should meet the following minimal requirements:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering; Agronomy, Engineering Technology, or Business Management.
• A minimum of six years of experience in the powered equipment industry with two plus years of supervisory experience. Management of a business/project background required.
• Has demonstrated exceptionally high level of competency in creativity, productivity and decision making over an extended period of time through successful completion of multiple projects.
• Strong mechanical and technical aptitude.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• MS Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) experience.
• Experience in a test engineering environment is desirable.
• Experience in agronomy and/or turf care business is desirable.
• Spanish language fluency is desirabl