Product Attribute / R & D Manager

About the role

The Product Attribute / R & D Manager leads the OEM quoting and drafting function out of our Louisville location, overseeing product specifications and attribute data used to generate accurate customer quotes. This role manages a team of engineers and drafters and works cross-functionally with sales, engineering, operations, and finance to ensure quotes, item master requests, engineering change requests, and product data reflect current capabilities, costs, and specifications.

M-D Building Products has been a trusted name in American construction for over 106 years, designing, manufacturing, and distributing products that builders, contractors, and homeowners depend on. Our facilities in Oklahoma City, Louisville, and Georgia are home to skilled teams who produce industry-leading products guided by core values of Integrity, Vision, Commitment, Communication, and Stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Manage all OEM quotes that go through the Louisville facility, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with product capabilities and pricing guidelines
• Manage the Item Master Requests (IMR’s) that go through the Louisville facility, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with customer priorities
• Manage the Engineering Change Requests (ECR’s) that affect the Louisville facility, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with company priorities
• Oversee the drafting function, including review and approval of technical drawings and specifications used in the quoting process
• Maintain and manage product attribute data, ensuring specifications are accurate, current, and consistent across systems
• Directly manage engineers and drafters reporting to this role, including workload assignment, performance management, and development
• Partner with sales teams to understand customer requirements and translate them into accurate, competitive OEM quotes
• Work with operations to validate that quoted specifications are producible and consistent with current processes
• Identify and implement improvements to the quoting process to increase speed, accuracy, and consistency
• Serve as the subject matter expert on product attributes and specifications for internal stakeholders and customers

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of experience in OEM quoting, product engineering, or a related manufacturing role
• Prior experience managing or leading a team
• Experience working with product specifications, technical drawings, or drafting standards

Skills

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and product specifications within the industry
• Ability to read and evaluate technical drawings and customer requirements documentation
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with sales, engineering, and operations
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, particularly around data accuracy
• Proficiency with quoting, ERP (Oracle preferred), or product data management systems

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Primarily works in an office setting with regular use of a computer
• May require occasional time on the manufacturing floor to review products or specifications
• Some travel may be required

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• On-Site Clinic
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Lab Card Program
• Group Term Life & AD&D
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(K) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education & Development programs
• Mental Wellness (Employee Assistance Program)
• Voluntary Benefits including Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance