Sr Manager Design Development

About the Role

The Sr. Manager of Design and Development (D&D) serves as the functional leader for the product design and engineering development team within Wanzl North America. Operating in a matrixed organizational structure, this role ensures consistent application of D&D processes, engineering standards, methods, and technical competencies across all business segments and product portfolios. The Sr. Manager supports multiple concurrent new product and product enhancement initiatives, collaborating cross-functionally with Sales, Product Management, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and global Wanzl engineering teams. This position is based in Denver, NC, with infrequent travel to manufacturing plants, Wanzl’s Group headquarters in Germany, and customer sites.

Responsibilities

• Full ownership of the D&D function, establishing and maintaining engineering standards, best practices, design processes, and documentation requirements.
• Develop and ensure compliance with the technical capabilities of Design & Development engineers, including training, performance management, mentoring, and career development.
• Ensure consistent application of design methodologies such as requirements definition, CAD modeling (SolidWorks/AutoCAD), Design for Manufacture (DFM), Design-to-Cost (DTC), prototyping, testing, and version control.
• Lead functional resource and capacity planning, recommending and coordinating resource allocation to support Segment needs during high-demand periods.
• Own engineering change management processes for product design release, revisions, and configuration management.
• Participate in and lead recurring D&D meetings with WNA and Wanzl Group (WDE) colleagues, including global leadership and project-specific discussions.
• Oversee/support initiatives such as SAP/ECR module, Vault updates, CapEx, and DTC projects.
• Support legal processes, including product claims review, depositions, field evidence inspections, and patent management.
• Lead cross-functional D&D engineering efforts to ensure deliverables for sales-driven Engineer-to-Order (ETO) projects are completed accurately, within scope, and on schedule.
• Partner with Sales, Product Management, and Operations to translate customer requirements into technical solutions, identify risks, and maintain delivery timelines.
• Initiate, monitor, and defend Wanzl intellectual property, interfacing with external legal teams and providing expert testimony when required.
• Support segment leaders with engineering expertise, manpower planning, and technical execution aligned with segment priorities and budgets.
• Provide engineering timelines, risk assessments, and deliverables for cross-functional program reviews.
• Ensure technical support during design reviews, pilot runs, and initial production phases.
• Coordinate with Segment Product Managers to translate customer needs into technical specifications and provide input on make/buy decisions, manufacturability, material selection, and cost implications.
• Encourage an innovation-oriented culture, support global knowledge transfer, and stay updated on emerging technologies, materials, and industry trends.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance quality, reduce engineering cycle time, and improve efficiency.
• Promote collaboration across teams, ensuring alignment between functional engineering and segment program objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; advanced degree in electrical or mechanical engineering a plus.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience, including 5+ years in supervision, team leadership, or functional management in engineering, development, or manufacturing operations.
• 3 years’ experience with electronics and computer networking systems preferred.
• 5 years’ industry-related experience (retail products, wire/tube/plastic injection molding).
• Knowledge of development processes and 5+ years’ experience leading teams using AutoCad and/or SolidWorks.
• Understanding of mechanical disciplines, mechatronics, and digital systems, including hardware/electronics/networks and integration of electronic components.
• Demonstrated understanding of D&D processes, including stage-gate product development.
• Proficiency in business software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and financial analysis for project justifications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, listening, and presentation skills.
• Experience in design-to-cost and cost engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of industry principles, procedures, and best practices (shelving, merchandising, material handling, motorized products, cloud-based WiFi products).
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven change management skills in people, processes, systems, technologies, and performance measurements.
• Proficiency in reviewing intellectual property, compliance, regulatory, and government requirements.
• Ability to travel 10-15% domestically and internationally.

Company Overview

Wanzl North America (WNA) is a leading solution provider in the retail and distribution market segments, with marquee customers such as Walmart, Amazon, and major grocers. As part of the Wanzl Group, WNA operates globally with 12 plants in 8 countries, offering comprehensive solutions and expert knowledge of local markets. WNA’s product segments include shopping carts, Access Systems, Shelving & Fixtures, Material Handling, and digital solutions for smart retail and autonomous store technology.