New Product Development Manager

Company / Location Information

A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, offering a comprehensive line featuring the best-known brands in North America and China, we also manufacture water purification and water softening products for residential and light commercial applications.

Recognized by The Tennessean as one of the top Nashville area Workplaces, Lochinvar (A business unit of A. O. Smith) is a leading producer of energy-efficient boilers, water heaters, pool heaters and commercial package systems.  We focus solely on serving our customers and offer them a product that delivers unmatched quality, performance, and application flexibility.

Primary Function

The NPD Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of new product development, utilizing the various available product development resources including 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 Product Development.

Responsibilities

• Guide and execute assignments from the Director of Product Development related to product development activities.
• Assist the Director of Product Development by providing guidance and support to develop and implement growth plans for resource needs and testing facilities to support the departmental plan.
• Provide frequent status updates, including and most importantly obstacles as they arise to the Director of Product Development.
• Plan and implement an engineering program using the Project Management System to achieve the objectives of the project.
• Supervise and manage the assigned engineering team members effectively and efficiently to achieve the objectives and goals for product maintenance and agency issues.
• 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.
• Provide leadership for the assessment and evaluation of proposed design changes, specification, and drawing releases, and make recommendations.
• 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.
• Manage resources to effectively support the AOS NPD Process, deliver the NPD Roadmap, and meet project objectives.
• Perform competitive product analyses as required to help define the project scope.
• Participate in the creation and development of the Product Roadmap as well as Project Charters as a part of the AOS NPD Process.
• Coach, mentor, and develop 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.
• Coordinate with various cross-functional stakeholders to gain input and to communicate project activity and progress, including scheduled project reviews and reports.
• Coordinate and participate in customer focus groups and training seminars during the introduction of new products. This may include leading technical discussions and presentation of instruction and informational materials to large and small groups of both technical and non-technical representatives.
• Interact with other Engineering Staff to provide design input regarding areas of individual expertise throughout the development process.
• Prepare project expense estimates and control expenditures within budget limitations.
• Supervises both long and short term product engineering projects, codes/standards, and general technical support to manufacturing

Role Specific Responsibilities

Supervise assigned engineering team members and provide guidance and direction where needed.  Ensure that direct reports are performing in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing potential staff candidates for the purposes of hiring, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering
• 3 years of Supervisory/Leadership experience
• 7+ years of related work experience or training
• Computer proficiency, including MS Office
• Strong mathematical and problem-solving abilities
• 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.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical articles.

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.

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