Horizons Window Fashions is hiring for an exciting new role with a focus on driving innovation and new product development as well as improvements to existing product lines and internal processes.

Continuing the Journey

• Translate customer needs into functional product designs while working with cross -functional teams
• Own the product development process and identify and implement methodologies and approaches to bring best practices to the organization, to accelerate the development cycle and drive greater results.
• Improve existing product or component designs to achieve cost reduction or product improvement objectives
• Incorporate new technologies with Engineering, including new textiles, lift systems, digital printing, service models, installation innovation and any other key elements of our ecosystem
• Drive the implementation of Manufacturing trials and perform the post-trial analyses and next steps
• Implement the Manufacturing plan of the NPD, from Test-Scale to Full-Scale
• Establish design specifications, material selection, and potential suppliers
• Create test plans and report test results
• Defines and manages the development and project management processes, emphasizing speed to market and on-time execution.
• Apply critical and engineering thinking to ensure the most optimal technical path is taken
• Build strong relationships with Marketing, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain as well as other functional areas to deliver business results.
• Formally facilitate cross functional discussions and working sessions to capture the best inputs from all, and lead the team to optimal decisions
• Coordinate competitive analysis to help identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.
• Maintain and control engineering files, records, and documentation for part and process specifications, drawings, and patents.
• Interface with purchasing and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues.
• Create and present status reports to management
• Implement product management discipline and manage ongoing performance of product lines, including monitoring and analyzing sales, profitability and operational metrics and preparing strategic reviews.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Responsible for leading multiple innovation initiatives across any one of many product categories
• This position has a major impact on the long-term business performance through the timely introduction of innovations that give products a leadership position in the marketplace.
• Individuals in this position will have considerable interaction with Sr. Leaders within the company to review progress, present business cases, and obtain financial approvals.
• Individuals in this position will often act as a team leader for cross-functional team and work to improve collaboration across different functions to achieve improvements in speed to market.
• Constant access to confidential financial, marketing and long-range plan information.

Education and Experience

• 2+ years of related professional experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Engineering, Manufacturing or Product Design
• Must manage multiple medium or limited scope projects
• Must communicate well and properly documents results of test procedures.
• Must be organized, methodical, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work to an established timeline.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 2+ years of experience with a focus on New Product Development.
• Experience navigating an NPD stage gate process.
• Experience in the creation of a business case for new project proposals.
• Significant experience working with Voice of Customer (VOC), market and other data to identify unmet consumer needs and creating products to address these needs.
• MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Technical and engineering design software such as AutoCAD, DeisgnWorks, etc.
• Multi-category product engine leadership experience.
• Strong consumer and market focus; adept at defining and evaluating consumer unmet needs to gain market position
• Track record in delivering products on time, on budget, that meets financial goals
• History of building, developing, and inspiring top performing product development teams
• Ability to deliver and execute a strategic innovation vision that includes both new product and existing product upgrades
• Proven and demonstrated strategic leadership skills
• Solid financial analysis and management skills; knows how to achieve profitable growth
• 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, risk management, profitability
• 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

Behavioral Competencies

• Ensures Accountability – Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Drive Engagement – Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives
• Instill Trust – Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
• Drive Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances
• Consumer/Customer Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering on customer-centric solutions
• Critical Thinking – Making Sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
• Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
• Optimize Work Processes – Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement