Director of Product Development

Hellerman Tyton•Milwaukee, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the VP of Engineering, the Director of Product Development Engineering oversees the Product Development Engineering departments, including automotive and general market product development engineering, Validation & Reliability Testing, and Application Tool Engineering. The role focuses on product development from product concepts through the design phase while supporting systems and processes from early innovation and product concept through end-of-life. The Director helps ensure HellermannTyton remains a leader in wire and cable management while maintaining its certifications and supporting corporate initiatives. The role leads engineering teams and department strategy, promotes continuous improvement in speed-to-market and right-first-time performance, advances innovation and the company’s patent and intellectual-property portfolio, and ensures department resources and processes support organizational objectives. It also coordinates product-development work across departments and with sister companies, supports timely delivery of development outputs, and works with material engineers to incorporate new or improved materials. Additional duties include training and coaching coworkers, sales personnel, and customers; supporting employee development plans; contributing to department meetings; representing product development in audits and addressing findings or improvement opportunities; conducting performance evaluations; applying Lean Product Development and Design for Six Sigma methods; and coordinating global engineering activities. International travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or equivalent.
12–15 years of experience in injection-molded plastics.
Excellent working knowledge of injection molding processes and tooling.
Excellent working knowledge of injection molding materials.
Excellent Microsoft Office and Windows computer skills.
Working knowledge of ERP-PLM integration.
Exceptional mechanical engineering, design and development, and innovation aptitude.
Basic CAD skills.
Able to travel internationally.
Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and adequate insurance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in plastics, manufacturing/injection molding, or management.
CAD experience with SolidWorks, NX, or Catia platforms.
Lean Product Development or Design for Six Sigma experience.

Responsibilities

Lead and direct assigned engineering department personnel toward company objectives and continuous improvement in speed-to-market and right-first-time performance.
Work with the VP of Engineering to develop department strategy plans and manage goals and objectives, incorporating customer and market needs and trends.
Plan capital expenditures and headcount.
Advance the patent and intellectual-property portfolio and innovative products throughout product development.
Evaluate and recommend department structure, personnel, resources, software, hardware, equipment, succession plans, and subject matter expert roles, including use of AI and large language models.
Build relationships and coordinate engineering processes with other departments, including information flow between PLM/PDM and other systems.
Work with other departments to ensure product-development deliverables are delivered on time and that inputs, outputs, systems, and processes support effective work.
Work with material engineers to incorporate new or improved materials.
Train and coach coworkers, sales personnel, and customers in areas of expertise.
Support individual development plans for department personnel.
Contribute to regular department meetings and create content supporting department strategies and objectives.
Represent product development in audits and ensure findings and improvement opportunities are addressed.
Conduct performance evaluations for direct reports and support evaluations for all department personnel.
Ensure effective use of Lean Product Development and Design for Six Sigma methods.
Coordinate and align product-development activities with counterparts at sister companies.
Travel internationally as needed.