Vice President, Product & Technology (VP P&T)

Avon Technologies PLC

8d•$190,000 - $240,000•Remote

About The Position

The Vice President of Product and Technology is a senior executive bridging product strategy and engineering execution. This leader owns the technology stack, product roadmap, and innovation pipeline, driving revenue and market differentiation. They manage teams of product managers and engineers to develop products and technology that meet customer needs. The Vice President of Product and Technology is a key member of Team Wendy's Leadership Team and serves as the executive leader responsible for product strategy, technology strategy, engineering excellence, and innovation execution across the business. The VP PT is responsible for overseeing our product development, engineering, and manufacturing technology strategies. Reporting directly to the President, this leader will ensure Team Wendy remains the innovation leader in protective headborne systems while balancing customer requirements, technical performance, manufacturability, product quality, regulatory compliance and profitability. Categories of the development responsibilities will include helmet systems, accessory platforms, communication integration, power and data solutions, human performance technologies and related survivability products for military, law enforcement and first responder customers. As a business executive, this individual is accountable for translating customer needs, emerging threats and technology developments into winning products that drive revenue growth, strengthen market position and enhance customer outcomes. They will also maintain strict compliance with federal laws, export controls, and manufacturing regulations.

Requirements

Over 10 years of progressive leadership experience managing product and engineering teams within a defense or aerospace manufacturing environment.
Documented success bringing complex hardware or software products from concept through full-rate industrial production.
Proven track record of building and scaling high-performing, customer-focused teams.
Ability to define success metrics, KPIs, and analyze portfolio performance and profitability.
Expert-level familiarity with ITAR regulations, federal cybersecurity standards, and military manufacturing specifications (e.g., MIL-STD).
Exceptional executive-level presentation skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value for the executive team.
U.S. Citizenship is strictly required for this position due to federal defense contract stipulations.
Must hold an active U.S. Security Clearance or demonstrate the clear ability to qualify for top-level sponsorship.
Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without a sponsorship for employment visa status (e.e. H1B status).

Nice To Haves

Strategically minded
Commercially astute
Technically credible
Customer focused
Curious and innovative
Decisive
Resilient
Collaborative
Results oriented
Comfortable operating in a fast-moving and highly demanding environment

Responsibilities

Define and execute a long-term technology and product vision that aligns with corporate growth objectives.
Develop and maintain a multi-year product strategy aligned with Team Wendy's growth objectives.
Establish product roadmaps that support military, law enforcement and commercial market opportunities.
Identify future customer needs, technology trends and competitive threats.
Lead portfolio investment decisions and technology prioritisation.
Drive product lifecycle management across the entire portfolio.
Recommend product rationalisation, refresh or replacement opportunities.
Advise the President and executive team on technological risks, investment returns, and strategic shifts in federal spending.
Serve as a key member of the Team Wendy Leadership Team.
Contribute to the development and execution of Team Wendy's business strategy and annual operating plans.
Partner with fellow leadership team members to drive business performance, operational excellence, organizational effectiveness, talent development, and succession planning.
Provide balanced commercial, technical, and strategic judgment on major business decisions.
Act as a visible leadership presence internally and externally, representing Team Wendy with customers, partners, government stakeholders, and Avon Technologies leadership.
Accelerate the transition of cutting-edge tech from rapid prototyping and demonstrations into full-rate industrial manufacturing.
Identify and/or develop and integrate emerging technologies to preserve our market edge.
Define and own Team Wendy's technology strategy.
Identify emerging technologies capable of creating competitive advantage.
Lead advanced development programs and technology maturation efforts.
Build technology partnerships with universities, laboratories, suppliers and government organisations.
Maintain awareness of emerging soldier system and survivability requirements.
Drive innovation culture throughout the organisation.
Convert innovation investments into profitable revenue opportunities.
Maximise return on development investment.
Develop and maintain Team Wendy's IP strategy.
Identify patent opportunities.
Protect critical technologies and know-how.
Monitor competitor technology developments.
Support freedom-to-operate assessments.
Oversee product development life cycles, ensuring technology supports customer needs, scalability, and quality.
Lead cross-functional product development activities from concept through production.
Improve speed to market while maintaining product performance and quality.
Establish robust stage-gate development processes.
Ensure development programs meet cost, schedule and performance objectives.
Drive engineering excellence, design reviews and technical governance.
Ensure lessons learned are captured and implemented.
Improve portfolio profitability and growth.
Ensure products comply with: NIJ standards, ACH/IHPS requirements, Military specifications, Safety regulations, Export control requirements, Relevant industry standards.
Oversee verification and validation activities.
Ensure technical risk is appropriately managed.
Collaborate on pricing structures and contract requirements that fit standard government acquisition guidelines (FAR/DFARS, OTAs, IDIQs).
Recruit, mentor, and lead cross-functional teams of Product Managers, Engineering Leads and their supporting staff.
Build and develop a high-performing technical organisation.
Recruit and retain world-class engineering and product talent.
Establish succession plans for critical technical roles.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation and collaboration.
Develop future technical leaders.
Partner with Marketing & Business Development to Analyze customer feedback, evaluate competitor landscapes, identify new opportunities for innovation and win major contract proposals.
Engage directly with military, law enforcement and government stakeholders.
Translate customer requirements into differentiated product solutions.
Support business development, capture and major customer engagements.
Participate in strategic customer demonstrations and field evaluations.
Maintain deep understanding of operational user needs.
Ensure product roadmaps are aligned with market demand.
Drive successful product launches.
Oversee departmental budgets, prioritize initiatives, and allocate resources based on Return on Investment (ROI) and feasibility.
Partner with Marketing, Sales, Finance and Operations to ensure flawless product launches and market adoption.
Enforce absolute compliance with ITAR, EAR, FOCI, and all relevant defense procurement laws.