Director, Product Development & Supply Chain Management – Shat-R-Shield

Title – Director, Product Development & Supply Chain Management

This position is responsible for the overall accomplishments of product development, through development and manufacture or assembly of new products, or through acquisition of new products to be passed through for sales purposes.  This position is responsible for introducing new products to maximize profitability.  This will be accomplished by understanding Shat-R-Shield’s customers and their applications, gaining feedback from sales, and understanding competitive products in our markets.  This position is also responsible for dealing with all vendors associated with new product development, all legal agreements and contracts, and is responsible for controlling costs and working with Operations to manage inventory of components and items associated with new product introductions.  This position is also responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, training, and managing all product development functions and activities.

• *A key participant in organizational and operational planning, including new business ventures, acquisitions and expansions; Communicate with CEO, President, Vice Presidents, and others to accomplish the Company’s overall organizational strategic objectives
• *Responsible for establishing and managing the Research and Development process, as well as applicable testing standards, and coordinating those efforts with sales and marketing
• *Lead and manage product development and product management to ensure new product introductions and launches
• *Measure effectiveness of product development and product management, and implement improvements as required
• *Develop new products and establish IP to increase revenue
• *Oversee product management including market and customer research for product requirements and new product ideas
• *Develop processes for ideation and voice of the customer to aid in new product ideas and development
• Responsible for ensuring ISO standards and documentation are properly managed in Product Development
• *Lead the Company’s new product development efforts and coordinate with SLT
• Establish the Company as a leader in new product innovation and design
• *Responsible for product development coordination in the manufacturing area of the company
• *Define product strategy and roadmap
• Represent new products internally – to be the expert and champion the products to all employees, explaining vision, features, and benefits
• Identify and support decisions on product innovation activities and projects that lead to a competitive advantage and future profitable business for SRS
• Develop and maintain alliances to gain competitive advantage for new products
• Accountable to support China-based manufacturing of new products based on the company’s vision and strategy
• Accountable to support U.S.-based manufacturing of new products based on the company’s vision and strategy
• Develop close working relationships with vendors to gain clear understanding of strengths and weaknesses, and work with vendors to reduce SRS’s cost on new and existing products
• Work with external third parties, including vendors and legal, to assess potential partnerships and licensing opportunities
• *Work with SRS’s legal firm on patents, supply contracts, and other agreements
• *Develop and execute the gate process for projects, and refine decision criteria at each gate
• *Identify new product opportunities to fill product roadmap
• *Evaluate feasibility of proposed new products through improved MRD and PRD processes
• *Manage timelines, resources, and spending to optimize results and meet launch targets
• *Work with the marketing team to develop collateral materials, advertising strategy, and packaging improvements to ensure success of the each new product
• *Screen and prioritize new product concepts
• *Oversee research and market data studies to support new product ideas and concepts
• *Prepare capital expense recommendations as it pertains to Product Development; Prepare the Product Development budget based on the product roadmap/plan; Control costs and spending to meet the budget and adjust spending as necessary
• Support the Company’s safety and environmental policies
• *Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations issued by OSHA, EPA, and federal, state, and local regulatory agencies
• *Provide guidance to and evaluate the performance of direct reports; develop the professional capabilities of all employees and create cross-training opportunities as appropriate to meet business needs; Motivate employees and promote growth and advancement within our organization

*Denotes essential function

Required:

• 4-year degree in Business, Industrial Manufacturing, or Manufacturing Management
• Min. of 6 yrs. experience in a product development environment with increasing levels of responsibility; Min. 3 years in a product development management position
• Strong strategic leadership abilities; Ability to set objectives and manage projects;  Ability to develop and implement long and short-range plans and programs
• Strong organizational skills to manage, prioritize, schedule, and balance multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to identify and resolve problems effectively; Strong analysis and decision-making skills
• Ability to initiate and effectively implement change
• Strong communication skills; Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel within the organization
• Strong supervisory skills including the ability to train, develop, motivate, and coach
• Experience creating and managing a budget to the P&L level
• Experience developing new products related to LED and lighting, and completing launch
• Experience identifying and negotiating with suppliers (U.S. and foreign) to acquire new products or components relative to lighting and LED products
• Ability to work well without close supervision and the ability to make sound, high impact decisions
• Ability to implement and enforce safety regulations
• Strong mathematical skills for budgeting, expense tracking and report analysis
• Computer skills, including previous experience with ERP systems

Preferred:

• Advanced degree
• Strong analytical and practical knowledge of machine maintenance and troubleshooting
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA and other regulations affecting the manufacturing industry
• Strong product development skills for integrating new product designs into production

This position supervises the positions of Product Manager and Product Development Engineer.

• Computers (PC, laptop, iPad, etc.) and printers
• Telephones (desk & cell)
• Calculator
• Copier/fax

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position works both in an office environment and on the production floor with moderate noise.
• This position requires limited travel.
• The position is required to wear sturdy shoes and safety glasses when in the plant and around machinery and a respirator when working near Teflon powders.
• This position is exposed to dirt, fumes/odors, and extreme heat on occasion and to dust/sprays and humidity frequently.   It is required to work around machinery with mechanical/moving parts, and is exposed to electrical systems and radiant energy frequently.  On occasion, it will be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, and flammables/explosives

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk and hear, see, reach with hands or arms, and use hands to grasp or feel.
• On occasion, the employee is required to sit, climb or balance, bend or twist, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, or taste or smell.
• The employee is required to lift up to 50 pounds on occasion.  Example: boxes of raw materials or finished goods.
• This position requires close vision, the ability to adjust focus, depth perception, peripheral vision and distance vision.

Shat-R-Shield, Inc. participates in E-Verify, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.