Springs Window Fashions is hiring for an Executive Director of Product Engineering based in our Middleton, WI Corporate Headquarters

Springs Window Fashions is a leader in the custom window treatment industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have over 6,000 associates with locations in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Our custom window treatments are available under the Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho brands in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms, and showcased in large commercial buildings.

Our company has made significant investments to become a leader in product innovation.  As North America’s premier window covering company, we’re committed to creating a “Best Experience” for our consumers, channel partners and associates.  We are bringing new innovations to the market at an accelerated pace and have a variety of offerings to consumers who want to improve their home décor.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, this critical position will lead a multi-discipline engineering department delivering industry-leading products as well as commercially successful and effective product improvements in key product segments across the company’s various residential brands. 

Job Responsibilities

• Partner with Engineering and Executive Leadership to run the Residential Product Engineering organization focused on NPD, Sustaining Engineering (Run the Business - RTB) and Engineering Services activities (documentation, compliance, test, prototyping, modeling support, etc.). 
• Recruit top talent in product design, development, and engineering services. Foster a high-performance culture focused on innovation balanced with value-driven execution. Ensure alignment with product vision and strategy. 
• Partner with Engineering and Executive Leadership to provide oversight to Product Business Teams (PBT’s) as a core functional leader. Oversee the development of engineering teams assigned to the PBT’s including establishing strong Lead Engineers for each and guiding principles.  
• Work collaboratively with Product Management leadership to define and align product strategies as well as development roadmaps for residential product lines. 
• Own and manage the New Product Development (NPD) process using proven methodologies to accelerate the development cycle while improving development outcomes. 
• Shape and implement New Product Innovation (NPI) strategies aligned with Product Roadmap(s) that assures innovative new technologies are developed on appropriate timelines. Curate NPI projects and review with Product Management frequently to maintain alignment. Perform Proof of Concept (POC) reviews to assure clean handoff to PBT development teams 
• Partner with Product Management and Finance to develop and support annual budgets and financial forecasts  
• Build strong relationships with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain as well as other functional areas to deliver business results. 
• Implement an effective R&D process focused on lift systems, smart building automation platforms, and textiles.  
• Lead continuous product ideation through on-going synthesis of market, customer research, distribution needs, and market trends. 
• Work with an existing supply base and identify new suppliers to advance the innovation roadmap. 

Education and Experience 

• 15+ years of related professional leadership experience. Bachelor's in Engineering required, MBA preferred  
• 3+ years of experience in a custom products manufacturing business highly desirable. 
• Multi-disciplinary engineering experience (Mechanical, Electrical, Software) highly preferred.   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Multi-category product engineering leadership experience 
• Track record in delivering product development on time and with high quality 
• Proven and demonstrated strategic leadership skills 
• Solid budgeting and financial management skills; 
• Strong market and customer 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 
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to lead forecasting and budgeting work and make pricing decisions 
• Solid understanding of company financials, including product pricing, and risk management 
• 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 impact 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. 

How We Work to Deliver a Best Experience: Our Culture

• Our Core Value: We do the right thing, always
• Our Seven Cultural Behaviors
  • Empowerment - We trust our people.
  • Ownership - We take 100% responsibility for our roles actions, and results.
  • Leadership - We all lead by example and talk direct with respect (DWR).
  • One Team - We are One Springs Team.
  • Customer First - We consider our customers' needs before evry decision.
  • Continuous Innovation - We are constantly learning, innovating, and improving.
  • Speed - We define priorities and operate with a sense of urgency and eligibility.