Senior Manager, Core Products Engineering

  

Position Summary

Identifies quality and cost improvement opportunities compatible with corporate goals and objectives.  Directs the evaluation, development and verification of product concepts to ensure that products being developed are reliable and conform to specifications.  Supports the OEM sales team by providing technical support to select OEM customers.  Optimizes technical resources to ensure that existing products can be produced and marketed in alignment with the overall goals of the company to maximize global branding, market share, contribution margin and ROA contribution. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilties

• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Manufacturing to analyze and evaluate proposals for product modifications from internal and external sources to determine feasibility, cost, resource and timing requirements.
• Set project objectives, scope, schedule and manpower requirements.  Provide estimated product and project costs for presentation to management.
• Direct the design and development activities that support OEM customer teams with line extension projects and modifications to existing OEM products.
• Monitor the progress and technical feasibility of projects to verify they are meeting the scheduled financial and timing commitments.
• Work hand-in-hand with the project engineers to develop design concepts and lead project teams.  Work with project teams to develop their strategic and tactical capabilities.
• Ensure that legal records are maintained on patentable processes or designs originating during the course of engineering development work.  
• Generate creative ideas for improvement to current products.
• Define performance metrics for the sustaining engineering group and coordinate monthly analysis against these metrics.
• Assist the VP of Engineering in developing the engineering strategy.
• Champion the new product development culture and process.
• Prepare annual department expense and capital budgets and control expenses to meet budgeted commitments.
• Prepare and maintain resource plans and schedules.
• Perform all other duties as required                                   

Experience, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in an Engineering discipline from an accredited University.  An MBA or MS degree is desirable. 
• High energy and the ability to multi-task across projects.
• Five years of “hands-on” experience managing an engineering/technical group in positions of increasing responsibility.   Ideal candidate will have experience in the plumbing industry or the field of fluid dynamics with exposure to high volume manufacturing of consumer goods.  Plastic and/or elastomeric part design experience a plus.
• Works well in a cross-functional environment and across all disciplines.
• Must have ability to view issues from a total business perspective.  Must have strong problem solving and time management skills, a results-oriented work ethic and be experienced in strategic planning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to interface with all levels.
• Must have strong administrative skills including computer proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  Must have working knowledge of engineering software and a good understanding of PLM systems.  Experience with Windchill, ProE and Ansys a plus.
• Capable of standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, pushing, pulling and reaching on a frequent basis.
• Able to lift 30lbs on an occasional basis.

Direct Reports

• Project Engineers
• Materials Engineer
• OEM Technical Support Engineer