Director, Engineering & Product Development

• Manage product development projects to ensure they are all on time, on quality, on budget, on strategy and provide an exceptional consumer experience.
• Manage the product development process working collaboratively with Directors of Category Management and Product Managers while working closely with other departments/functions across the organization, including:
• Sales
• Legal
• Brand Marketing
• Quality
• China NPD / support organization
• Customer Service
• Consumer Relations
• Logistics /Trade Compliance
• Finance

• Lead a team of engineers experienced inproduct requirements, performance testing, compliance testing, manufacturing design, and packaging design.
• Driver and champion of the use of AI and Automation tools in Engineering and QA/RA for the company.
• Identify and coordinate with Product Teams and Suppliers, new functionalities and product features while maintaining and/or reducing cost of manufacturing.
• Work closely with the quality and compliance functions to ensure all safety and regulatory requirements are continuously met.
• Work closely with the global sourcing organization with respect to vendor selection and qualification.
• Work directly with Legal (in-house and external) to maintain database of intellectual property such as patents and copyrights. Responsible to ensure protection of inventions and intellectual property, and thereby assists in filing for patents and copyrights, and maintain appropriate documents and files. Also provides technical and business support for various product-related litigation the company is involved in.
• Seek out and apply knowledge of new trends and innovation to identify not only new products but also opportunities to improve overall consumer experience (Out of Box experience)
• Develop and manage annual R&D budget
• High-level responsibility for Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs.
• High-level responsibility for Corporate ESG initiatives and obligations.

• Adaptable and able to work under pressure– is flexible, maintains effectiveness by adjusting behavior, work routines, and habits to meet a goal and/or changing circumstances. Is seen as balanced despite the conflicting demands of the situation.
• Analytical/numeric/reasoning - ability to tackle a problem by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

• AI skills, particularly in the conversion of traditional methods to automation and AI-assisted methods.Building collaborative relationships – the ability to establish credibility and develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside and outside the organization
• Communication skills- shares and receives information using clear oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Actively listens, provides constructive feedback, and demonstrates respect for differing views. Shares information with others.
• Complex problem solving – takes a proactive approach to anticipating, preventing, and solving problems
• Creativity – comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas, easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions, tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming settings
• Dealing with ambiguity – can effectively cope with change, shift gears comfortably, decide and act without having the total picture, is not upset when things are up in the air, doesn’t have to finish things before moving on, can comfortably hand risk and uncertainty
• Drive for results – can be counted on to exceed goals successfully, is constantly and consistently one of the top toper performers, very bottom-line oriented, steadfastly pushes self and others for results
• Fostering teamwork and collaboration - collaborative style – advocating a positive team concept to resolve problems and achieve optimal results.
• Global Perspective – needs to think about the relationships with partners on a global basis.
• Innovation management – is good at bringing the creative ideas of other to market, has good judgment about which ideas and suggestions will work, has a sense about managing the creative process of others, can facilitate effective brainstorming, can project how potential ideas may play out in the marketplace
• Leadership skills – the ability to influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal.
• Negotiation skills - applies effective questioning and listening techniques to determine other parties' positions. Presents own position so that it is clearly understood. Settles differences without damaging relationships; is both direct and forceful as well as diplomatic. Quickly gains trust of others; ensures that agreed-upon alternatives have the support of all parties involved.
• Presentation skills – is effective in a variety of formal presentation settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports, and manager, is effective both inside and outside the organization on diverse topics, commands attention and can manage group process during the presentations, can change tactics midstream when something is not working
• Strategic agility – sees ahead clearly, can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately, has broad knowledge and perspective, is future oriented, can articulately paint credible pictures and vision of possibilities and likelihoods, can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans
• Taking initiative - self-starter who is pro-active and demonstrates the ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments.
• Technical acuity – needs to be able to discern good design, and able to counsel Product Teams using fundamental engineering knowledge.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering or similar discipline. MBA highly desired.
• Advanced knowledge of Compliance Engineering, and the common regulations (Safety, EMC, etc) important to the design and sale of small electronics, appliances, and personal devices, both powered and unpowered, battery and corded.
• Experience with the use of AI and Automation tools in the execution of Engineering and Quality / Regulatory tasks for enhancing productivity.Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in consumer-packaged goods. Experience in categories such as: massage, air purifiers, humidifiers, etc. required.
• Proven track record of developing cutting edge consumer products that have been successful in the retail marketplace.
• Experienced in project management and leading cross functional teams consisting of both internal and external suppliers with a focus on working effectively with design and engineering teams. Note: In addition to leading the project teams, there is a high level of individual responsibility with this position. This is a hands-on position.
• Experience in working with and directing the actions of people around the world, in particular the Asian continent.
• Disciplined product development process experience (Stage / Phase Gate).
• Strong track record of people development, organization building.
• Experience with Internet of Things (IoT)/Connectivity preferred.
• Advanced understanding of Intellectual Property, types, offensive and defensive principles, maintenance.
• Advanced knowledge of Quality Principles in Product Development and Manufacturing. Experience with the techniques and methodologies of a functioning QA organization.
• Working knowledge of Regulatory Affairs, including some experience and knowledge of the application to Medical Devices.
• Familiarity with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and the modern mandatory initiatives important to Fortune 500 companies.

HoMedics