Director, Research and Development Job

Newell Rubbermaid is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products that touch the lives of people where they live, work and play. We are committed to building consumer and commercial Brands That Matter TM while leveraging the benefits of being one company: shared expertise, operating efficiencies, and a culture of innovation. Our globally recognized brands include Sharpie, Paper Mate, DYMO, EXPO, Waterman, Parker, Rolodex, IRWIN, LENOX, BernzOmatic, Rubbermaid, Graco, Calphalon, Goody, and Teutonia.

This is a job summary which includes essential job duties of the position. More specific information regarding duties may be provided upon request for particular locations and facilities.

General Function :

This position is responsible for leading a team engineers and support staff responsible for new product development and product engineering for the Culinary Lifestyles business. Primary responsibilities include oversight and development of all core Calphalon products including the project management, detailed product engineering, packaging design and development, and product specifications of 40 projects annually. The role involves significant cross functional collaboration with leaders in Marketing, Sales, Industrial Design, Sourcing, and Finance. The role will build detailed forward looking product plans working with the Director of Product Marketing and lead their team in the execution of those to specific financial and quality goals on aggressive development timelines The position reports to the Vice President of Supply Chain and R&D.

Duties and Responsibilities :

· Management of Technical Development Staff: Responsible for managing a team of 6-7 development engineers and project managers to deliver key new product development projects. Aggressively drive projects to schedule and business plan deliverables driving incremental net sales for the business unit annually.

· Management of Engineering Services Staff: Responsible for leadership to supervisor of engineering services, providing vision and direction for CAD standards and capabilities as well as product specification documentation in SAP.

· Management of Packaging Engineering: Responsible for providing leadership to packaging engineer in the development and evaluation of decorative and structural packaging for all Culinary Lifestyles products.

· New Product Development Process Improvement - Responsible for improvements to Newell's Consumer Driven Innovation (CDI), stage gate product development process. Track performance and drive improvements on key development metrics; speed to market, net sales $ per project, % projects on time/on business plan, etc.

· Cross Functional Interaction - Work cooperatively with peers in Marketing, Sales, Sourcing, and Industrial Design to align future product plans, development resource requirements, and capabilities to Culinary Lifestyles strategic plan.

· Team Development: Provide development through mentoring, coaching, and constructive feedback to direct reports and development team members. Identify critical skills and abilities required and development plans for staff.

· This position requires a bachelor's or masters degree in engineering or science with a minimum of 12 years of product development leadership and project management experience in a stage gate product development environment.

· Successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in managing a large number of projects through a team of direct reports in a cross functional environment. Organizational skills, aggressive drive for performance, and extremely high levels of personal accountability are required.

· Experience in working with Asian suppliers/partners on new product development is required.

· Must have excellent communication, interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills and have demonstrated the ability to lead by direct control and influence for positive business outcomes.

· A fundamental knowledge of metals, metal forming, metal coatings, and high temperature plastics is strongly desired.

· A fundamental knowledge of Pro Engineer (Wildfire 3.0) and SAP is strongly desired.

Preferred Qualifications:

Consumer Products Industry Experience

Newell Rubbermaid and its Business Units are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. M/F/D/V are encouraged to apply.

Nearest Major Market: Atlanta
Job Segments: Healthcare, Management, Manager, Research