Director - Product Development at Crown Equipment Corporation

Company Description:

Crown Equipment Corporation is one of the world’s largest material handling companies, with a reputation for award-winning product design, advanced engineering and technology, and superior after-sale service. Crown produces a broad range of forklifts and automation and fleet management technologies that are revolutionizing the material-handling industry.

Job Responsibilities:

Responsible for the definition, management, development, and implementation of new product development plans for a substantial portion of company’s product portfolio. Direct technical activities of a group of engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel involved in new product development. Collaborate with counterparts in Engineering and Design across company’s global product development locations to align development efforts on a global basis. Provide independent leadership and direction; manage outside contracts and consultants. Make individual contributions to engineering and design issues when experience, capability or need requires it. This position reports to the Vice President – Engineering. This position may have multiple chief engineers, group leaders, product engineers, or other product development personnel reporting to it.

• Product Development Champion - Champion development of new material handling products.  Integrate telematics, driver assist systems and multiple motive power options into world class material handling vehicles. Build consensus for product offerings that create competitive advantage while balancing competing factors such as development effort, product cost, choice to the customer, and variation in the factory. Study competitive products and new emerging technologies, making recommendations for how to upgrade, improve and evolve both product and the development process. Work directly with customers, sales teams, and development teams to ensure customer requirements are achieved. This position requires a strategic thinker with problem solving skills capable of setting technical direction and strategy while developing new innovative award-winning products working with Crown’s global product development centers.
• Project Planning and Technical Review - Oversee the development of project definitions, specifications, and guidelines. Set project goals in accordance with the tactical/strategic plan. Ensure that objectives and expectations are clearly defined and communicated to the personnel assigned to execute the plan. Working with Manufacturing, approve product for going into production.
• Organizational and Employee Development - Identify the current and future needs of the organization and work to build the capability of individuals within the organization by providing opportunities for coaching, mentoring, training, and developmental assignments.
• Leadership and Communication - Lead a team of product engineers creating a product vision and developing new and innovative material handling products. Communicate product and project information credibly to various levels of company management as required. Provide leadership and coaching of cross-functional teams while collaborating with other department managers across departments such as Design, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Marketing, and Sales both in the U.S and internationally.
• Budget - Submit and manage the approved budget of the department.

Location: This onsite position is based in our New Bremen, Ohio global headquarters.

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Crown Equipment – Defining the Future of Material Handling

Related Terms:  Automation, Development Engineer, Automated Forklift, Autonomous Development Engineer, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV), Autonomous Vehicle Engineer, Autonomous Vehicle Technology, Connected & Automated Vehicle (CAV), Driver Assistance Systems, Electronics Engineer, Embedded Software, Engineering Manager, Engineering Supervisor, Product Development, Product Engineer, Automation Engineer Robotics, Software Developer, Vehicle Dynamics Systems Development, Vehicle Integration, Vehicular Automation, Design Engineer, Additive Manufacturing, Prototype

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in Engineering or related field
• Minimum of 16 years of experience in product development environment at various levels of responsibility, including project management and supervisory experience
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to frequently travel with overnight stays (6-20%)
• Reliable transportation to travel locally between company locations during scheduled workday

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of lift truck design, battery/charger designs, industrial design, and ergonomics

Work Authorization:

Crown will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

No agency calls please.

Compensation and Benefits:

Crown offers an excellent wage and benefits package for full-time employees including Health/Dental/Vision/Prescription Drug Plan, Flexible Benefits Plan, 401K Retirement Savings Plan, Life and Disability Benefits, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement, and much more.

EO/AA Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled