Senior Director, Engineering and Product Management

Company: Leviton
Location: Northbrook
Posted on: November 15, 2024

Job Description:

About LevitonAt Leviton, we build what's next to light, power, and connect everyday spaces, from electrical to lighting, to data networks, and energy management. With over 115 years of history, Leviton develops thoughtful solutions that help make its customers' lives easier, safer, more efficient, and more productive. We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. We ASK questions, EMBRACE challenges, SEEK new perspectives, and ANTICIPATE what comes next. It's about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly changing world.About the roleReporting to the GM, this position is responsible for managing the operation of the Engineering and Product Management departments, to meet targeted Lighting & Controls business unit objectives. This position will be accountable for all aspects and functions of Engineering and Product Management within the business, including responsibility for strategic product plan development and execution, design, and implementation of the highest quality cost-effective products. In addition, this position has product responsibility for all U.S. Lighting products, including the strategic product plan, product development, pricing, sales support, bottom line sales, and operating income.This position must provide vision, direction, sound judgement, and a sense of urgency to respective Engineering and Product Management teams through leadership, management, and teamwork. In addition, the successful candidate must have good interpersonal relationship skills and be capable of leading and motivating a team of people to accomplish the objectives established for their department. Developing and coaching employees will also be a key responsibility for this role.This individual participates in establishing the objectives of the department and is responsible for accomplishing those objectives in alignment with the overall strategy of the Business Unit. Direct supervision of personnel is required as well as possibly managing the activities carried out by contract service firms, vendors, strategic alliances and functions within the company but outside of the business unit. This individual will be responsible for staffing the engineering and product management department to meet the needs of current, future, and to-be-defined strategic initiatives.They are responsible for taking multiple inputs including but not limited to market trends, economic and code factors to lead product strategy and develop product concepts from concept through manufacturing. This person must understand the relationship between the various disciplines within the company and closely collaborate with the L&C lighting brands to provide lighting control solutions complementary to their products, markets and channels.This individual is both responsible and accountable for the development and management of the engineering and product management department budgets.ResponsibilitiesEssential Functions

• Lead the strategic product vision for the lighting business
• Maintain knowledge of market and economic trends, competitive factors and needs of customers across the value chain
• Work cross-functionally with all L&C brands and engineering/product management personnel
• Lead and manage engineering and product management departments
• Define the technical/expertise and staffing levels and organizational structure required for the successful implementation of all engineering programs and product management needs
• Facilitate cross-functional teams through all phases of the product life cycle including product research, design, engineering development, integration to manufacturing and product release
• Participate on technical review committees (includes members inside and outside the business unit) to ensure design meets product/market: quality, cost, and manufacturing needs and goals
• Establish priorities and distribute work among the department based on priority, workload and individual skills. Critically review the technical skills of all staff
• Analyze alternate solutions and recommend best options
• Develop and improve the product development process with product management and engineering
• Work with and manage contract service firms where applicable
• Prepare accurate, up-to-date and concise oral and written reports and reviews on departmental progress and direction
• Develop and implement long term strategic department plans
• Coach and develop team members
• Create and maintain respective department budget for areas of responsibility
• Responsible for formulating plans and recommending programs to achieve maximum new product development products within realistic time frames that will contribute to the growth of the company
• Conduct research and analysis required for PAC, e.g. economic justification, competitive analysis, EAUS, financial models, features and applications, packaging, etc.
• Manage all elements of the product development process, including product specification, packaging, pricing, and phase out/phase in plans
• Establish measurement and review procedures for new product development and monitoring of performance
• Responsible for ongoing identification of technology and market trends, updating and/or altering business unit strategy accordingly
• Responsible for administrative functions required to effectively run a department including reporting, budgeting, financial management, and adherence to corporate procedures
• Interact with and present regularly to senior management
• Understand the competitive landscape from general: competitors, the market, the economy, and business trends, to specific: products, applications, performance, and pricing
• Create an environment that stimulates cooperation between departments, encourages new programs and develops employeesQualificationsA Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Systems Engineering or other related field requiredAn advanced Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Systems Engineering or another related field, preferred
  • Minimum of 15 years of directly related engineering and product management/development experience
  • Experience with lighting controls, RF products, lighting and systems engineering
  • Experience managing product management/development teams
  • Experience with software and firmware development and implementation
  • User interface experience a plus
  • Experience in organizational design and change management
  • Experience working within a highly matrixed organization on cross-functional product development projects is requiredEducation & Experience
    • Strong project management skills
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills
    • Ability to clearly articulate plans, influence others, and make sound functional and business decisions
    • Flexible approach to problem solving
    • Critical thinking in the development of recommendations
    • Manage resources directly and indirectly tied to their function. A highly developed level of creative skills and resourcefulness to manage the product function is required
    • Must be able to apply critical thinking skills to determine best approach to bring new products to market and to work with operations, marketing, and sales staff
    • Thorough knowledge of the lighting products and distribution channels
    • Creative, resourceful, and willing to think independently
    • Extremely well organized and capable of prioritizing and delegating as appropriate
    • Leadership and mentoring skillsTravel
      • Up to 30% travelWhat We OfferComprehensive benefits include:
        • Medical, dental, and vision insurance programs
        • 401K plans with employer-matching contributions
        • Tuition reimbursement
        • PTO
        • Paid holidays
        • Volunteer time offFor more information about benefits, please go to: Leviton is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.Leviton is committed to transparency and security in the recruitment process and will never ask for financial information, payment, or government identification numbers during the application process.The future looks brighter than ever. Join our team now!Pay Range$171,960 - $229,280
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Keywords: Leviton, Buffalo Grove , Senior Director, Engineering and Product Management, Executive , Northbrook, Illinois