AMVETS Jobs

The Sr. Director, R&D is a critical member of the global leadership team and will participate in defining and driving the direction of the business. As such, the Sr. Director, R&D is a leader in the organization beyond their strict functional responsibilities.

The primary role for this leader will be to help grow the business by designing innovative, advantaged products that delight our consumers. This will require the leader to establish the internal and external eco-system, capabilities and process to deliver on time, cost and quality.

As a global organization, the R&D team is responsible for delivering products for the North American market, but also products or technology/feature platforms for regional markets to adapt to their local needs.

There is a great deal of partnering required with Brand Marketing and Supply Chain leaders and teams to ensure effective teamwork and accomplish this, and the Sr. Director, R&D will be a key stakeholder in the main NPD related processes and decisions.

Product and Brand Scope:

• Outdoor:

o Brands: Coleman, Stearns, Seyvlor, Puddle Jumper, Aerobed

o Product categories: Coolers (hard and soft), tents, portable grills, shelters, sleeping bags, flotation devices and other outdoor products

• Beverage:

o Brands: Contigo, Bubba, Rubbermaid,

• Product categories: Thermal, Hydration, Kids

The Global R&D Team is a community of 87 people in various locations.

Accountability

The Sr. Director R&D is responsible for the following:

· Innovation model: Based on each category’s portfolio role (intended investment and growth) and product roadmap, define the degree, type and source of innovation (internal, supplier, other external, hybrid)

· Product Roadmapping: Act as key contributor of product roadmaps along with Brand Marketing Leadership

· NPD process: This leader is a key stakeholder with decision rights. They must prioritize and allocate their team’s resources to deliver projects.

· Team Leadership: Build and develop the internal team to deliver against innovation model and product roadmaps. This includes coaching/mentoring and professional development to cultivate future leaders and technical experts.

· Supplier development: This leader is a key decision maker in supplier selection based on meeting innovation requirements as dictated by innovation model for the category. Execution will require the active engagement, partnering and management of supplier innovation efforts.

· Open innovation: Develop the process and network to find and leverage external tech/IP/other sources for NPD inputs (e.g., filtration) to meet the product roadmaps

· Research funnel: Develop process for identifying and cultivating technology/feature development in advance of the NPD process. Responsible to feed that process with projects to support product roadmaps; then manage and drive those projects.

· IP: Set the standard for proactive IP planning and development at the outset of development. Maintain ongoing competitive IP monitoring

· Cost Savings: Own and drive a funnel of design-driven product cost savings to meet annual targets. Support review of other cost savings efforts to confirm compliance to product/other standards.

· Maintenance: Ongoing support of product lines as required from a quality and compliance perspective.

· Compliance: Develop robust, forward-looking monitoring of compliance requirements. Establish cost-effective process and protocols to ensure compliance, leveraging supply base

· Quality: Develop robust NPD evaluation process, including DFMEA deployed as appropriate. Develop robust production evaluation process, including PFMEA deployed as appropriate. Rigorous ongoing in-house and supplier quality monitoring. Rigorous use of consumer care information for quality issue monitoring

· Budget: Develop and deliver annual budget plans

· Continuous improvement: Annual and ongoing improvements in key performance metrics (time to market, on time delivery of design, etc.)

Qualifications

· Four-year college degree in Engineering; Master’s degree preferred

· 15 years of product development work experience; Consumer Products industry experience preferred

· Demonstrated experience in leading/managing large, global engineering teams

· Demonstrates acknowledged expertise in the methods and processes of product design, including FMEA, DF(X), CAD/CAE, materials, Six Sigma, and VA/VE

· Demonstrated delivery of products that win in market

· Demonstrates product development leadership and project management experience in a stage-gate product development environment with many projects

· Strong evidence of excellent problem-solving skills including framing the problem and developing solutions.

· Demonstrates excellent communication, interpersonal, writing, planning, and presentation skills

Other Criteria

· Proven ability as a productive and collaborative executive team member

· Transformational leader that inspires team and organizational culture to achieve best in class capabilities, processes and performance.

· Strong evidence of developing talent and leading an organization to excellence

· Proven ability to effectively lead and manage within a fast-paced, high-growth, complex organization, with global operations and relationships

· Experience leading Product Lifecycle management both systematically and as a core practice

· Experience working with internal/external/ supplier led R&D models that inspires technology development, based on strong partnership relations

· Experienced in establishing performance metrics, motivating and holding people accountable for results

· Establishing and maintaining strong relationships across the organization to identify business needs and seek a full range of business solutions.

_Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.