New Product Development Manager

AOS/Johnson City, TN

A. O. Smith Corporation, founded in 1874, is a $3 billion publicly-traded global water technology leader (NYSE: AOS) with over 15,000 employees globally.  We are one of the world’s leading manufacturers and best-known brands of residential and commercial water heaters and boilers, as well as a global leader in the manufacturing of water treatment systems for household and light commercial applications.  Our Johnson City location in Eastern Tennessee is home to approximately 1000 employees on our Manufacturing and Engineering teams for Residential Water Heaters, a product category in which we have #1 market share - nearly 40% of homes with a water heater have an A. O. Smith brand.

Primary Function

As the NPD Manager you will be responsible for managing all aspects of new product development, utilizing the various available product development resources including Residential Engineering personnel, designers, tool makers, and manufacturing to achieve the project objectives.  This person will coordinate with cross-functional support teams in the planning, organization, implementation, and completion of product lifecycle activities.

This person also supervises activities and resources within the New Product Development group to ensure support is provided to deliver the NPD roadmap. Specifically, the NPD Manager coordinates with CTC, OEM Partners, Product Management, and/or Manufacturing to facilitate research, development, and/or product process improvements and enhancements to support business needs. Additionally, this position provides technical guidance to development projects as required and directed by the Director of Residential Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Residential Engineering by providing guidance and support to develop and implement growth plans for resource needs and testing facilities to support the departmental plan.
• Provide leadership and direction to project team members on a daily basis to assign responsibilities and provide technical support where needed. Coordinate activities to resolve technical development or scheduling issues, and design test problems as they arise. Facilitate conflict resolution as needed amongst cross-functional groups.
• Plan, implement, and monitor moderate-level, full product development including mechanical and manufacturing aspects of project design. Evaluate and recommend design changes and specifications.
• Review product design for compliance with engineering principles, company standards, and customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
• Coach, mentor, and engineering team members of the Product Development Group. Provide supervisory guidance and assist direct reports to assure success in the project as well as employee developmental needs.
• Supervises both long and short term product engineering projects, codes/standards, and general technical support to manufacturing.

Qualifications

•    Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from four-year college or university in the sciences of Engineering or five-years of experience in a Product Development/Engineering role or equivalent combination of education or experience.  
•    6-7 years of Supervisory/Leadership experience/ gas Combustion, heat transfer, and pressure vessel experience a strong plus.

•    Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data and draw valid conclusions.
•    Strong organization and time management skills.
•    Strong communication skills, both orally and written, to communicate with all levels, including senior management.

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.