Supervisor, Product Development and Testing

About the role

The Supervisor of Product Development & Testing assists in developing new and existing products and product lines at Harbor Freight Tools. This role coordinates daily activities of the quality assurance department, provides leadership to QA employees, drives resolutions, ensures continuous improvement of department processes, and executes tasks to establish a global quality organization supporting future growth. The role requires expertise in tools and a passion for using tools and equipment.

The Testing Supervisor works individually or with a team, verifying conformance to industry and regulatory safety standards, testing new products, building test fixtures, creating reports, and coordinating line reviews. This role exercises discretion and independent judgment in evaluating testing methods, weighing test results, and making product recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain project management program, manage team workload and schedule.
• Lead and develop a high-performance, results-driven team with an emphasis on continuous improvement.
• Coach and mentor quality staff using a hands-on approach to develop and train employees.
• Collaborate with internal corporate partners to improve quality and reliability objectives.
• Interact with all levels of management, company consultants, regulatory agents, clients, external testing labs, and lab equipment and supply vendors.
• Ensure timeliness, clarity, and accuracy of all technical documentation and correspondence.
• Lead and train product specialists using specialized lab equipment such as XRF material analyzer, dynamometer, and life test fixtures.
• Delegate tasks to Product Specialists, providing target completion dates to testing managers and meeting deadlines.
• Assist in writing, reviewing, and providing feedback on test reports.
• Provide technical expertise based on advanced knowledge and experience to various internal entities (Merchandising, Global Sourcing, Packaging, etc.).
• Demonstrate extensive tool knowledge across all categories; expertise in specific tool categories.
• Master all lab equipment and actively participate in product demonstrations, providing independent judgment to assist in decision-making.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.
• Conduct fieldwork assignments for product testing as needed.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.
• Oversee lab maintenance and organization.
• Order materials and equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Requirements

• Staff supervision and development responsibilities.
• Decision-making authority.
• Up to 10% travel required.
• In-office work designation.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position is $78,100 – $117,100, depending on location, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability.
• 401k plan enrollment eligibility.
• Paid time off accrual up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays).
• Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.