Director of Product Development

*Position is located in Springfield, MO (on-site)*

*RELOCATION SUPPORT PROVIDED*

Position Summary

The Director is responsible for managing the product portfolio and the NPD roadmap that aligns with the company's annual and strategic goals and vision. Success depends on a comprehensive understanding of company products, their applications, the industry, competition, and the companies we serve. The Director provides leadership to the product development efforts of the Company, including its product launch efforts utilizing the Stage Gate process. The Director is expected to champion a strong communication network across the Fortifi platform while leading an effective engineering team.

Position Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Vice President / General Manager (Nothum), the Vice President - Product Management (Protein Tools & Equipment), Director Global Sales (Nothum), and the Production Manager (Operations) to identify new product opportunities and to ensure the manufacturability of the opportunities in any new product design.

• Direct the Development Team and drive the new product development process by prioritizing by opportunity and being able to drive unique, patented ideas to solve the customers’ pain points.

• Direct projects from idea conception through product launch and field support using the Stage Gate process.

• Partner with the marketing and sales team to develop robust Voice of Customer (VOC) methodologies to understand customer needs and develop products that meet or exceed design aesthetic, intent, and customer expectations.

• Directs the launching of new products including the positioning and the creation, preparation, and dissemination of information related to their release and field introduction.

• Promotes and fosters continuous improvement in the product development process to facilitate ever shortening product development cycles.

• Direct the Sustaining Team to drive improvements and maximize support for the existing install base.

• Commands a robust understanding of line layout and utilization of a utility matrix to drive optimal decision making when faced with uncertainty or with multiple objectives.

• Oversee the formulation of the short and long-range strategic plans for each product group.

• Defines and directs the management of products throughout their life cycle, including eventual obsolescence.

• Maintains a competitive database and adjusts product strategies to ensure advantages over the competition and develops metrics to determine effectiveness of competitive efforts.

• Develops short and long-term pricing strategies for each product and market, considering competition, product ROI, product obsolescence, and organic growth.

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.

• Demonstrated success launching new products – preferably in B2B capital equipment or industrial automation, which includes hands-on design engineering experience.

• Success in managing and measuring results and strength of marketing strategies using metrics of vitality index, new product sales, and demonstrating profit and volume growth in segments of responsibility.

• Expertise in using methodologies of benchmarking technology developments, differentiated value proposition, innovation and new product development, cost/profitability analysis, SCRUM and Stage Gate.

• Passionate about the customer relationship, with a deep drive for understanding products and the value their applications create for the customer.

• Effective people leader and team builder; selects, develops and retains high quality talent.

• Strong collaboration and partnership skills with experience with groups with the ability to listen and solve complex problems.

• Excellent oral/written communication, presentation and listening skills.

Employment at Nothum Food Processing Systems is contingent upon the successful completion of both a pre-employment background check and a drug screening.

All candidates hired must be able to provide proper documentation of their eligibility to work in the US (I-9 form).

Nothum Food Processing Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities / Females / Disabled / Veterans (M/F/D/V)