Director of Engineering - Springs Window Fashions

Mecho is hiring for a Director of Engineering for our Commercial Business Unit based in Long Island City, NY.  This is role is on-site, not remote.

Springs Window Fashions has been part of the window treatments industry since 1939, headquartered in Middleton WI.  Springs has over 7,000 associates and multiple locations worldwide with Product Engineering centered in Middleton (residential) and in Long Island City (commercial).  Our products are available in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms, and showcased in large commercial buildings including some of the most recognizable and architecturally unique buildings in the United States. 

Springs, through its brands Mecho and SWFcontract, is the market leader in the US commercial channel where the Mecho brand is known for its innovation, performance, specification leadership and customization.  The SWFcontract brand is known for its dealer relationships, breadth of product line and solutions that cross all vertical markets.  Our company is privately owned with products marketed across a broad portfolio of brands including Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho.  We pride ourselves as “The Best Experience Company”, striving to provide the best experience for our customers, channel partners, and associates. 

Summary

Reporting to the VP of Engineering with dotted line responsibility to the GM/SVP of the Commercial Business Unit, this critical position will lead an organization with a strong B2B focus that drives change and ensures Springs’ product and brand positioning are at the heart of the business. Sets the vision for the innovation roadmap, delivering industry leading product innovation as well as commercially successful and effective product improvements in key product segments.

Responsibilities

• Leads a product development organization recruiting and developing the highest caliber of expertise in design, product management and product development. Creates an innovation focused culture capable of working cross-functionally across the business, and ensuring the product vision is reflected and executed in product development strategies.
• Lead a team of Engineering, Software and Technical professionals focused on innovation, product development, customization, and sustaining engineering.  Full responsibility for innovation, development, intellectual property management and process execution required to deliver on time with high quality.
• Define and articulate with Product Management the product strategy and development roadmaps for assigned product lines and deliver value as both a strategic leader and a hands-on implementer.
• Implement an effective R&D process focused on lift systems (manual and motorized), electronics and motorization, system integration, automation/cloud solutions, energy management, textiles, and sustainability.
• Lead continuous product ideation through on-going synthesis of market / customer research, distribution needs and market trends.
• Work with existing supply base and identify new suppliers to advance capabilities, VAVE, quality and the innovation roadmap.
• Own the product development process with relevant Product Managers and identify and implement methodologies to accelerate the development and commercialization cycle.
• Partner with Executive leadership and Finance in the development of budgets, financial forecasts, and risk assessments.
• Build strong relationships with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain as well as other functional areas to deliver business results.

Education and Experience

• 15+ years of related professional experience. Bachelor in a related Engineering field required, MBA preferred
• 3+ years of related experience in custom products highly desirable
• 5+ years of related experience in software development highly desirable
• Experience in the construction field with commercial (or residential) products highly desired, including experience with or knowledge of General Contractors, Architects, Designers, Developers, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Multi-category product engineering leadership experience.
• Track record in delivering product innovation.
• Ability to deliver and execute a strategic innovation vision.
• Proven and demonstrated strategic leadership skills.
• Solid financial analysis and management skills; knows how to make money.
• Strong customer and market focus.
• Strong ability to lead a team while working cohesively throughout the organization
• Strong skill sets in the areas of presentation, facilitation, consultative, written and verbal communications to all levels in the organization
• Strong analytical skills
• Solid understanding of company financials, including product pricing, risk management, profitability
• Success in effective management of internal and external relationships
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and an ability to simplify complex concepts and communicate to all levels of the organization.
• Ability to create compelling rationale for ideas and develop thorough and thoughtful business cases.
• Demonstrated change-agent. Ability to engage teams while leading change that impacts processes, products, and culture.
• Passionate about quality and continuous improvement with demonstrated success in driving and implementing continuous improvement efforts.
• Strong working knowledge of DFM, FMEA, VA/VE, Test Plans, Cost Modeling and LEAN initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate and partner. Documented success in working cross functionally with areas such as NPD, design, procurement, and manufacturing.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual base for this position is reasonably expected to be between $190,000 and $210,000.  Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is eligible for an annual bonus as well of up to 30%.  

Benefits: The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance,  vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% company match of eligible contributions, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid sick time at an amount that meets or exceeds all local requirements, fifteen days (pro-rated for 2024 based on start date) paid vacation time, eleven paid holidays per year, and one paid volunteer day off per year.  

This posting is anticipated to remain open until a qualified candidate is hired.