Executive Head of Engineering and R&D
About the role
The Executive Head of Engineering and R&D is a key member of the senior leadership team reporting to the VP, Product. This role works closely with Product, Operations and Commercial to create innovative solutions that improve our products and manufacturing processes along with creating differentiation that can be leveraged by our Commercial group to enhance market share and customer satisfaction.
Responsibilities
Assume direct leadership of multiple departments and cost centers, utilizing these resources to develop, test and help bring to market new products and features which will provide Watkins with meaningful differentiation for its various product categories and multiple sales channels.
Lead and investigate new techniques, best practices, and technological innovation and present them to the business and manufacturing leadership.
Provide technical ownership for product design aspects for products within the platforms throughout the entire lifecycle.
Collaborate cross-functionally with the Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain to ensure designs are manufacturable and that new products are meeting manufacturing needs for repeatable processes and complexity management.
Evaluate field warranties to identify manufacturing and distribution related warranty issues and work with Quality, Manufacturing and Distribution on corrective actions.
Develop and maintain engineering procedures and systems that assure uniformity and consistency.
Provide training and mentorship as appropriate to optimize the specific departments and the overall function.
Accountable for engineering expertise and long-term continuity in the areas of tooling development, testing manufacturing capabilities.
Accountable for budget development and management.
Lead and investigate new techniques, best practices, and technological innovation and present them to the business and manufacturing leadership.
Provide leadership to evaluate field warranties to identify manufacturing and distribution related warranty issues and work with Quality, Manufacturing and Distribution on corrective actions.
Develop and maintain engineering procedures and systems that assure uniformity and consistency.
Provide training and mentorship as appropriate to optimize the specific departments and the overall function.
Accountable for budget development and management.
Build robust succession plans and paths for engineering technical career advancement.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Engineering from four-year college or university; MBA preferred.
Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible engineering management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others.
Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
Technical skills in engineering management, quality assurance and costing.
Computer proficiency.
Competencies
Possesses strong Core and Leadership competencies as they pertain to Watkins performance criteria.
Exhibits the values of the Watkins Way.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
Sit and talk or hear.
Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds.
Compensation
$182,600.00 - $286,770.00 USD