Company Description
Vulcan
For more than 150 years, Vulcan has been recognized by chefs and operators throughout the world for its top-quality, energy efficient commercial cooking equipment. Our equipment is found in busy kitchens nationwide; target segments include large chain restaurants, emerging/regional chains, independent restaurants, K-12 schools, grocery and hotels/recreation.
Vulcan is a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling $14.5 billion in 2021.
ITW – Food Equipment Group – Cooking Division has an opening for a New Product Development & Customer Back Innovation Engineering Manager – Fryers & Griddle/Broilers, working at the Charlotte, North Carolina Vulcan facility. Information on Vulcan cooking equipment including can be found at www.vulcanequipment.com.
Position Summary: This position reports to the Director of Operations for Fryers & Griddle/Broilers and will manage a team of engineers to support new product development, product customizations, and other engineering activities. Working with the Director of Operations, the NPD & CBI Engineering Manager will set priorities and direct activities to design new products, customize existing designs, and support technical initiatives set by the leadership team.
The NPD & CBI Engineering Manager – Fryers & Griddle/Broilers will study and track competitive offerings, market demand, and cooking trends to develop a strong pipeline of new products. They will liaise with Sales to support product customizations to fit specific application needs. Excellent project management skills are required with proven experience developing and launching multiple new products.
Additional responsibilities include employee management and development, team goal setting and budgeting, field testing of products, process and system management as well as reporting and data analysis.
Function:
Responsible for leading and supporting New Product Development and Customer Back Innovation as well as the development of engineering team members for the Fryer & Griddle/Broilers business unit.
Job Description
Responsibilities:
Work with the Director of Operations to set and manage engineering priorities to maintain a regular flow of new products, product enhancements and customization projects to drive revenue growth, market share gains and margin improvement
Lead, manage and support the NPD & CBI Engineering Team to ensure that objectives are met on a timely basis and that designs meet cost targets and performance specifications
Study market trends and cooking technology to identify new products and features
Monitor competitive technology including IP filings to develop competitive product strategies
Provide product development guidance including overall product portfolio positioning
Recommend, develop and seat new technologies by working closely with end-users
Lead and provide technical guidance to engineering project teams as required
Apply advanced engineering theory and practices, along with experience, to solve problems
Develop and implement project plans for major activities
Work closely with the Director of Operations and Business Development Managers to define customer needs and project objectives
Analyze data and prepare reports as required to support projects and drive decisions
Support engineering objectives by personally contributing to development and design solutions
Regularly assess designs for manufacturability, serviceability, cost effectiveness and reliability
Participate in AOP, LRP and business reviews providing updates regarding engineering activities
Maintain business processes including product variation requests
Support other Vulcan and ITW business units as requested on special projects
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor Degree in Engineering
Experience: 10+ years
Skills/Ability:
Creative mindset that searches for design improvement and simplification
Analytical ability to identify root causes and solutions or options to complex technical issues
Technical leadership and confidence addressing design matters in mechanical, electrical, heating and manufacturing disciplines
Commercial and business perspective offers a customer back view to design development
Data driven with strong analytical skills
Passion for coaching and talent development to build a high-energy team environment
Convincing oral and written communication skills to present, address and share ideas
Creates a sense of urgency but remains adaptable and flexible with strong listening skills
Well organized planner that freely adjusts priorities to respond to immediate concerns
Enjoys working with others in both leadership and support roles and displays sound judgment
Capable of assessing business and engineering risks to develop backup and recovery plans
Additional Information
Other Considerations
ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.
As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws