Director of Technical Services & Innovation Engineering
Laboratory Research & Development Field Technical Services
Location: London, Ontario
Company: Progressive Industrial Fluids Ltd.
Build Something That Doesn't Exist Today.
Progressive Industrial Fluids is one of Canada's fastest-growing independent manufacturers of industrial lubricants, metalworking fluids, cleaners, corrosion preventives and specialty process chemicals.
We're not looking for someone to maintain the status quo.
We're looking for an engineering leader who wants to build an industry-leading Technical Services organization from the ground up.
Over the next five to ten years, Progressive plans to grow several times its current size through innovation, technical leadership, and continuous improvement. We believe the future of industrial lubricants isn't built on selling chemicals—it's built on solving manufacturing problems.
If you are passionate about engineering, manufacturing excellence, product innovation, and leading technical teams, we'd like to meet you.
The Opportunity
As Director of Technical Services & Innovation, you will lead every technical function within the organization, including:
- Engineering Services
- Technical Field Support
- Continuous Improvement
- Research & Development
- Product Development
- Laboratory Operations
- Product Testing & Validation
- Quality Assurance
- Customer Process Optimization
- Technical Training
This role reports directly to the executive leadership team and will be responsible for building one of the strongest technical organizations in the industrial lubricant industry.
What You'll Build
You won't simply manage a laboratory.
You'll build an organization that helps manufacturers become more productive.
Your team will partner with customers to:
- Reduce manufacturing costs
- Extend tooling life
- Improve part quality
- Reduce scrap
- Increase throughput
- Improve lubricant performance
- Improve cleanliness standards
- Reduce environmental impact
- Increase equipment reliability
You'll become a trusted engineering resource to manufacturers across North America.
ResponsibilitiesEngineering & Field Technical Services
Lead a team supporting customers throughout:
- Metal stamping
- Tube forming
- Roll forming
- Machining
- Grinding
- Parts washing
- Heat treating
- Secondary finishing
- Corrosion prevention
- Industrial lubrication systems
Provide technical leadership during:
- Product trials
- Process audits
- Equipment evaluations
- Failure investigations
- Root cause analysis
- Cost reduction projects
Laboratory Leadership
Provide strategic leadership for:
- Laboratory personnel
- Testing protocols
- Quality systems
- Analytical equipment
- Product validation
- Customer testing
- ISO procedures
- Product approvals
Ensure the laboratory operates as both a quality department and an innovation center.
Research & Development
Lead new product development including:
- Proprietary lubricant technologies
- Next-generation metalworking fluids
- Sustainable product development
- OEM qualification projects
- Customer-specific formulations
- Product performance improvements
Collaborate closely with sales, operations, procurement, and manufacturing.
Continuous Improvement
Lead internal and customer-focused improvement initiatives using:
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- DMAIC
- Kaizen
- Root Cause Analysis
- FMEA
- SPC
Develop measurable customer savings through process optimization rather than simply recommending products.
Technical Leadership
Build and mentor a multidisciplinary technical team including:
- Laboratory technicians
- Chemists
- Technical service engineers
- Application specialists
- Product development personnel
Develop succession plans, technical standards, and career pathways.
Commercial Support
Partner with the sales organization by:
- Supporting strategic customer presentations
- Assisting major account conversions
- Providing technical credibility during sales opportunities
- Creating technical training for sales representatives
- Developing value-added technical programs
What We're Looking For
You are an engineering leader who enjoys solving difficult manufacturing problems.
You have experience in several of the following:
- Industrial lubricants
- Metalworking fluids
- Manufacturing engineering
- Stamping operations
- Machining
- Process engineering
- Continuous improvement
- Product development
- Laboratory management
- Industrial chemistry
- Automotive manufacturing
- Tooling and die processes
- Technical customer support
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 10+ years of engineering, manufacturing, or technical leadership experience.
- Experience leading laboratory or R&D organizations.
- Experience developing industrial products.
- Strong leadership and project management capabilities.
- Excellent customer-facing communication skills.
Lean Six Sigma, P.Eng., or related certifications are considered assets.
Pay: $130,000.00-$160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- RRSP match
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
