SENIOR MANAGER, PRODUCT ENGINEERING

Reports to: Vice President, Engineering Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Florida (on-boarding in VT)

Summary of Position Mission

The Senior Product Development Manager leads, manages, and directs all product development engineering efforts at Century Arms. This position is responsible for designing, testing / validating, and releasing to production all new products as well as product enhancements and design related cost reduction efforts. This position reports to the VP of Engineering and working throughout the organization, will be responsible for designing, planning, and implementing new product designs, and technologies to ensure that Century Arms has the products necessary to rapidly grow our product portfolio and feed the product roadmap. The Senior Product Development Manager will work in concert with the Operations teams to improve internal manufacturing processes for efficiency and effectiveness as well as work with suppliers to identify and reduce defects and costs.

Responsibilities

• Manage the research and development team to conceive, design, develop, test, validate and release to production new products while supporting and improving all existing product lines.
• Work in close concert with the business development, product management, and marketing teams, implement and advance the strategic product direction for the company.
• Manage, grow and mentor the research and development team while maintaining a positive and energetic work environment.
• Effectively communicate to all levels of the organization both presenting to leadership and working directly with the manufacturing floor.
• To prove success in all phases of the product life cycle-identification of need, development of product requirements, product design, quality and production hand-off, launch and ongoing product management.
• Work with the product director to follow and implement the new product development stage process through the organization.
• Define, adapt, or improve the processes essential to the successful execution of product development. Key processes include but are not limited to product lifecycle management, requirements management, product specifications, product workflow, and NPD (new product development stage gate process.
• Analyze vertical integration opportunities for the company and help set strategic direction for manufacturing.
• Create firearm designs and product innovations using DFMA techniques to grow the product portfolio of the company while reducing operational cost.
• Manages new process development projects and coordinates activities with various internal & external suppliers.
• Utilize GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance) to review assembly, component designs and details to verify manufacturing feasibility.
• Create/participate in development of design and process FMEA's (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis).
• Optimize manufacturing methods eliminating waste throughout the product process.
• Work with manufacturing engineering and operations to analyze vertical integration opportunities for the company and help set strategic direction for manufacturing.
• Design for manufacturing methods, processes and systems.
• Work with manufacturing engineering and operations to validate and qualify new tooling, process changes, and manufacturing equipment.
• Lead material science efforts for product improvements and cost reduction efforts.
• Interface with suppliers and research development centers to develop new manufacturing process design, and technology concepts.
• Work with manufacturing engineering and operations to determine equipment requirements for current and future production plans.
• Ability to effectively attract and select motivated and dedicated staff.
• Responsible for annual budget submission.
• Drive business results, manufacturing improvements, throughput increase, scrap reduction, overall COG's reduction, and enhanced safety.
• Responsible for evaluating and recommending and implementing new technologies to support new and existing product lines.
• Ensure information and documentation is consistently accurate.
• Provide technical reports in-house and to the technical community.
• Attend training sessions, seminars, and conferences to expand job knowledge and skills repertoire.
• Actively participate and support the 5S process within the work area on a daily basis
• Actively participates in continuous improvements efforts both in identifying and implementing opportunities.
• Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.
• Support and adhere to all ISO standards applicable to the Company.
• Wears all necessary Personal Protective Equipment directed by the Company at all times.
• Demonstrates sound working knowledge of firearms safety.
• Maintains and keeps workstation and department area clean.
• Immediately acts on any maintenance and/or safety issues presented.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude toward co-workers, other department and the Company.
• Maintains respect, courtesy and professionalism toward all co-workers and the Company.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with co-workers and management.
• Other duties assigned as required.

Qualifications & Knowledge Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. These requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or extensive experience and demonstrated ability as an Engineer.
• Minimum of ten (10) years in new product development in a manufacturing environment.
• Program/project management experience required: leadership role preferred.
• Extensive experience in various manufacturing processes including but not limited to: castings, metal injection molding, plastic injection molding, machining, forgings, and additive manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of CAD (Solidworks preferred) with FEA and functional expertise in the application of GD&T.
• Experience in Firearm Manufacturing and Product Development.
• Self-motivated with good written and verbal communications skills; ability to effectively prepare and deliver technical reports and presentations.
• Ability to lead and function in a team environment, while effectively communicating across various levels of the organization.
• Comprehensive understanding of ISO 9001 requirements and Lean Manufacturing concepts.

Working Conditions

Work is normally performed in a climate-controlled office environment and throughout a heated manufacturing and warehouse facility. Exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes and gases is very limited. Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of light manufacturing, shipping and receiving, and normal office equipment (computers, telephones, etc.). No known environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of job duties.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Be able to lift objects up to 50 lbs.
• Be able to lift, push and pull objects as necessary
• May be required to stand and walk throughout the workday
• Occasionally required to bend, stoop, kneel and crouch
• Ability to travel in support of job function (plants, customers, suppliers, etc.). Some overseas travel may be required
• 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday), (Project timelines and work volume/deadlines may require more than 40 hours per week to complete essential duties of this job. Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as needed)
• Must have mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language ability (reading, writing and speaking English language) to perform the duties proficiently

Disclaimers

• This job description should not be interpreted to be a complete list of all the duties and responsibilities performed by the jobholder. To maintain organizational flexibility, management has the discretion to add, drop or change at any time the duties, responsibilities and expectations of this job.
• This job description does not constitute an offer of employment, continuous employment or an employment contract. We are an at-will employer and either you or the employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any legal reason or for no reason.