Engineer, New Product Integration

About the role

This is an invitation to collaborate and apply your craft in a creative conscious and characterful culture. As an Engineer, New Product Integration (NPI), you will engage as a core project team member and the operations leader to drive early manufacturing involvement and execute the manufacturing New Product Development (NPD) deliverables, while synchronizing with plant NPI and Operations teams to ensure new products are “Right the First Time,” achieving Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.

Responsibilities

• Drive manufacturing input into NPD projects to improve design effectiveness and reliability through Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), design reviews, Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) and regular feedback.
• Project manager for all operations functions such as quality, engineering, data services production, and materials, related to NPI and NPD projects, including new product launches, DfX initiatives, fulfillment strategies, Plan for Every Part (PFEP), cost reduction implementations, capacity evaluations, supply chain integrity, costing, REA initiation, and process development.
• Build product cost models, with plant NPI and Operations support, to actively manage product costs through development and meet launch targets.
• Provide technical support for Make versus Buy analysis, utilizing cash cost modeling and consideration of Global Capacity and Asset Optimization.
• Together with plant NPI and Operations, develop plant project execution timelines and project plans for all manufacturing locations and feed back into overall timelines for projects.
• Accountable, in coordination with plant NPI personnel, for achieving scheduled ‘Inventory in Stock’ date.
• Support plant NPI and Operations project managers, on all projects as assigned, to ensure complete and accurate communication of project facts.
• Responsible for fulfilling all Operations related deliverables for Global Kitchen and Bath NPD process, including the active creation and execution of contingency plans to mitigate risk or to keep project launches on schedule.
• Drive Time to Market improvements.
• Ensure Quality and Performance Levels are met for New Product Launches (i.e., launch with no Deviations and match process capability to specifications).
• Utilize Supply Chain, Purchasing & Supplier Quality Organizations in line with the Operations Strategy to develop the product fulfillment strategy.
• Apply engineering fundamentals to problem solving and make appropriate decisions, justify risk under critical review; develop conclusions and recommend actions; operate without need for technical supervision.
• Liaise closely with all levels of production, engineering, NPD, purchasing, and marketing providing clear information where necessary; use relationships to maintain a network to support Production Strategies.
• Present project status and escalations to multiple levels of operations leadership including Managers/Directors/VP.
• Coordinate the development of systematic tool design and engineering functions required for production of products at Kohler Co. utilizing CAD technology.

Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical, or related engineering discipline).
• 6 months – 3 years of experience in one or more of the following: Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, New Product Development Engineering.
• Knowledge or experience in manufacturing processes: stainless steel, cast iron, acrylics, resins, SMC.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects of a complex nature that are in various stages of development.
• Experience communicating information at all levels across various functions: written and verbally, concisely and accurately.
• A tenacious, enthusiastic, results-driven individual with excellent time management skills.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office software and SAP.
• Structured and organized, with an ability to work on their own, within a team, and lead a small team when required; management experience would be beneficial.
• Experience creating and managing Microsoft Projects.
• ProE/CREO proficiency is a benefit, but not required.
• Skilled in leading conversations across platforms and driving conflict resolution.
• Authorization to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $77,200 – $117,300. The specific salary offered may be influenced by experience, education, and work location. This position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.