Director of Product Development

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Regular Full-Time Appleton, WI, US 1 Attachments

Position:Director of Product Development

Reports to:President

Supervisory Responsibilities:A team of Engineering leaders

Our

Purpose:

Making It Better Together... We believe in building lifelong partnerships, providing high performing equipment and value-added solutions. We empower and trust our employees to take initiative and make decisions that drive our business forward. We strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.

Director of Product Development
Summary:The Director of Product Development provides executive leadership for the Company’s product development, engineering, and technical innovation strategy. This role is responsible for translating business objectives, customer needs, and market opportunities into practical technical solutions that support growth, operational excellence, and long-term customer success. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director builds and develops high-performing engineering teams, advances product and technology roadmaps, and ensures technical priorities are aligned with the Company’s strategic direction in an OEM manufacturing environment.

Director of Product Development
Essential Functions:

Strategic and Customer Driven Initiatives

• Lead the Company’s technology roadmap, innovation programs, and product development initiatives to support long-term business growth and customer success.
• Align product engineering priorities with customer requirements, market needs, operational capabilities, and commercialization readiness.
• Provide executive oversight for New Technology Initiatives (NTI), advanced technology development, and validation of new technical solutions.
• Oversee engineering execution for sold work, including web converting equipment, kits, upgrades, and related customer-focused solutions.
• Champion platform-based architecture, reusable technology frameworks, and standardization opportunities across equipment and product lines.
• Guide projects from concept through completion, ensuring scope, cost, quality, schedule, and delivery expectations are effectively managed.
• Provide direction on complex technical issues and promote best practices in engineering design, development, documentation, and decision-making.
• Support successful product launches, technology transitions, and market adoption in partnership with sales, operations, purchasing, service, and other cross-functional teams.

Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing engineering and technical teams that demonstrate accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish department goals, performance indicators, priorities, and operating rhythms that align with strategic business objectives.
• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and financial review processes; recommend adjustments that support business performance and product development priorities.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement best practices that improve engineering effectiveness, operational efficiency, quality, and speed to market.
• Foster an environment where employees are encouraged to raise ideas, solve problems, contribute to decision-making, and support continuous improvement.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive developments, and customer needs to inform product strategy and technical direction.
• Establish and maintain strategic technology partnerships with industry partners, higher education institutions, suppliers, and other external resources.
• Support intellectual…