Director of Contract Manufacturing

Steffes•Dickinson, ND

20h

About The Position

The Director of Contract Manufacturing focuses organizational activities and resources on value creation and is responsible for the success of the contract manufacturing value stream. Unlike Steffes’ product-line business units, Contract Manufacturing markets and sells Steffes’ engineering and manufacturing services, building to customers’ designs, specifications, and requirements. The Director understands key system constraints, identifies critical process issues, and maintains key customer relationships. The role has management responsibility for strategy, relationship management, pricing, and margin. It requires strong business, manufacturing, and technical knowledge, along with interpersonal skills to communicate and influence people within and outside the organization. The position is responsible for business-unit profitability, business development, budgeting, revenue and market-share growth, customer experience, sales strategy, pricing, and coordination of resources and capacity. It also supports customer programs from quote through production and delivery, including technical reviews, risk management, quality issue resolution, and financial forecasting.

Requirements

Five years of experience working in engineering, manufacturing, marketing, or sales.
Experience selling or managing engineering and/or contract manufacturing services with customers.
Intermediate computer knowledge, including Windows, email, and internet use.
Written and verbal communication skills.
Occasional overnight travel is required.
An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain responsibility for the assigned business unit, including profitability, business development, and budgeting.
Develop sales and promotional strategies for Steffes’ engineering and manufacturing services within the value stream.
Set the vision and direction, influence and inspire others, align and lead teams, and grow the business.
Increase and track contract manufacturing revenue and market share.
Advance key customer relationships and maintain responsibility for overall customer experience and care.
Work with department leaders to allocate resources and capacity to achieve business results.
Coach and assist team members.
Set expectations for the customer program life cycle, from quote through production and delivery, and ensure the team understands its goals and expectations.
Identify risks and establish suitable actions.
Maintain a deep understanding of Steffes’ engineering and production processes, capabilities, and capacity.
Ensure accurate and timely technical reviews of customer designs, drawings, and requirements.
Establish pricing based on cost estimates and market value to meet market-share and profitability goals.
Maintain knowledge of competing contract manufacturers and engineering service providers, including capabilities, marketing strategies, and relative costs, and communicate this information to Sales and other functional areas.
Work with account managers to develop strategies for selling Steffes’ engineering and manufacturing services to current and prospective customers.
Ensure services are competitive in quality, reliability, cost, lead time, and on-time shipping; identify deficiencies and ensure corrective action is initiated.
Maintain monthly financial forecasting and price reviews.
Communicate regularly with internal staff to understand business problems and help find solutions.
Maintain a positive work atmosphere through collaborative conduct and communication with customers, suppliers, co-workers, and management.
Help the company meet its strategic, quality, and safety objectives.
Assist with development and execution of annual sales plans.
Establish and maintain guidelines for pursuing and accepting new business.
Monitor shipping activity, costing, and pricing daily to ensure sales and profitability goals are achieved.
Assist the CFO with review of Terms & Conditions and MSAs, and negotiate with customers to resolve differences.
Ensure prompt and satisfactory resolution of external quality issues involving customer parts and assemblies.
Perform other duties as assigned.