RESEARCH & PRODUCT DEV MANAGER

Paul Muller Company•Springfield, MO

39d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research and Product Development Manager is pivotal in propelling the Company's innovation and maintaining a competitive edge. This position will drive innovation and growth within the organization through creating and implementing strategies for new product development. This position is responsible for identifying, leading and managing the research and development (R&D) initiatives that align with business goals, ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet high standards of quality and performance. The Research and Product Development Manager is fully responsible for overseeing the design, development, and implementation of new products and services as well as managing the R&D team. Additionally, this role is fully responsible for existing product enhancements and driving existing products into new markets.

Requirements

Leadership skills to lead, develop, and coach others in a proactive manner.
Knowledge of principles and procedures for employee selection, development, and training.
Advanced knowledge of product development, research, analysis, pricing, planning and strategy.
Advanced knowledge of industry-specific regulations and standards.
Advanced problem-solving and analytical abilities.
Advanced knowledge and ability to complete data analysis and interpretation.
Ability to think creatively, innovate, develop new strategies and outside-the-box ideas.
Ability to read, interpret and create or modify blueprints as required.
Excellent communication skills both orally and written.
Experience with technologies and best practices across multiple platforms.
Ability to work well under pressure and manage time effectively, in a constantly changing environment.
Ability to work independently or in a team.
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with individuals at all levels.
Ability to efficiently utilize Microsoft Office and project management software.
Self-starter and goal oriented who will aggressively pursue product development.
Strong interpersonal skills with a mechanical aptitude that allows for effective communication.
Manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects in parallel in a time sensitive environment.
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or similar degree required.
Seven (7) to ten (10) years' experience in research, product development and strategic R&D oversight.

Responsibilities

Coaching, teaching, and supervision of assigned personnel.
Effective employee relations. Initiates and is proactive with employee coaching and development. Resolves employee issues through identifying problems and resolutions.
Provide on-site leadership for the project team by building and motivating team members to meet project goals while adhering to their responsibilities and project milestones.
Performance management (hiring, development, discipline, termination) of direct reports while collaborating with Human Resources.
Building and maintaining business relationships, which includes working with all levels and organizations of the company.
Ongoing research of current market segments and potential new market segments to understand the market needs and opportunities. with the goal of determining complementary products or acquisitions that will provide growth.
Complete Voice of the Customer (VOC) to understand our markets and the company's largest opportunities.
Setting priorities and implementing new products.
Utilize the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to collaborate with customers and understand their desires and needs as they pertain to new products, markets and services.
Develop and implement R&D strategies and initiatives with each business unit through understanding market, customer and business unit desires, needs and goals.
Recommend R&D opportunities and strategies to the business units through presentation of impact, scope, cost, return on investment and potential timeline.
Monitor and analyze industry trends to continuously identify opportunities for innovation.
Evaluate and integrate new technologies and methodologies.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and safety standards.
Work cross-functionally with others and lead meetings to determine objectives, track progress, troubleshoot challenges, and execute deliverables.
Identify and analyze risks and inefficiencies and actively seek out opportunities to troubleshoot and resolve. Communicate plan to management.
Develop and implement plans to document project scope, schedule, tasks, risk management, and reports to communicate progress to the organization.
Create visual processes and tools to track project progress, challenges, and timing.
Identify and coordinate resource needs cross-functionally within the organization as needed.
Collaborate with the business unit to set-up new product, pricing, standard, etc. in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Collaborate and support operational engineering and manufacturing on all new product, technology, and service launches to ensure manufacturability and operational success.
Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on introducing and marketing new products, technologies, services, etc. through an integrated plan.
Collaborate with the business unit to Safe Operating Procedures (SOP's), drawings, calculations, etc. for operations, and sales of new products and product enhancements.
Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to determine product pricing, production and sales costs, volume and distribution.
Create and foster a cross functional culture of creativity, collaboration and continuous learning.
Complete post-project lessons learned and drive continuous improvement on processes and procedures.
Drive continuous improvement in product quality and performance.
Performs other related duties as required and assigned.
Manage the R&D budget and allocate resources effectively.
Regular, in-person attendance due to the necessary teamwork and personal interactive nature of this position.
Must have a valid driver's license.
US and International travel up to 15-25% as required by projects and research.

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with low employee premiums
Free off-site medical clinic
Company paid Life Insurance & Short-Term Disability
401k - Employer match of up to 4.0% for coworker contributions of 8.0% or more
Company covers tuition costs up to $5,250.00 annually, contingent on course completion and grades
Paid Time Off and Sick, Family & Parental Paid Time Off
Ten (10) Paid Holidays
Four-day work weeks, varied shifts, and flexible remote work options depending on position
Career progression program for advancement
Free in-house welding, grinding & machine operation school
In-house training program