Product Development Supervisor

The Product Development Supervisor is responsible for leading the research, design, and development of new Schebler Chimney Systems products. This role oversees cross-functional product development efforts, ensuring products meet industry standards, customer requirements, and company profitability goals. The position combines technical engineering involvement with project leadership, guiding products from concept through production while driving efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Reporting Relationships:

This position reports to the Vice President - Corporate Marketing & Chimney Systems Sales.

This position currently provides direction to cross-functional project teams and is expected to have direct supervisory responsibility for a Mechanical Engineer as the team grows.

Key Performance Expectations:

1. Successfully lead product development projects from concept through production within defined timelines and budgets.
2. Ensure new products meet quality, safety, and performance standards.
3. Improve efficiency and consistency of product development processes and documentation.
4. Effectively coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver successful product outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead and coordinate product development projects from concept through completion, ensuring scope, objectives, and success criteria are clearly defined.
2. Prioritize product development initiatives and manage workload across multiple active projects.
3. Forecast resource needs and assign work to ensure effective and efficient project execution.
4. Develop and manage detailed project schedules and work plans; monitor progress and adjust priorities as needed.
5. Provide regular project updates to stakeholders regarding progress, risks, and timelines.
6. Identify risks and constraints early; develop mitigation plans and escalate issues as needed.
7. Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, and Marketing to ensure alignment and successful product delivery.
8. Manage vendor and supplier activities related to product development, including timelines and deliverables.
9. Support product design efforts, including concept development, modeling, and drawing creation.
10. Develop and review part drawings and technical documentation to support manufacturing and R&D.
11. Support prototype development, testing, and design iterations, ensuring learnings are captured and applied.
12. Measure project performance and identify opportunities for process improvement in product development workflows.
13. Research and evaluate new product opportunities from technical, competitive, and market perspectives.
14. Maintain organized and accurate project documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
15. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Education: Bachelor's degree required; Mechanical Engineering degree preferred.

Experience: 5-7 years of experience in product development, mechanical engineering, or technical project management required.

Experience leading projects and coordinating cross-functional teams strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong organizational skills and detail-oriented.
• Excellent attention to detail and verbal and written communication skills required.
• Must be able to explain technical products to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to apply engineering and technical principles to product development.
• Strong mechanical and technical aptitude.
• Personable, outgoing style with the ability to interact with varying levels of management and field employees, customers, and the public.
• Computer skills in a variety of office software packages.

Technical & Professional Skills:

• Strong organizational, planning, scheduling, and time management skills
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and negotiation skills
• Knowledge of MS Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Knowledge and experience of AutoCAD Mechanical preferred.

Other Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; use hands, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, talk, or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds. The employee is occasionally exposed to a moderate noise level.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements.