Product Developer - Titleist Gear

Job Description

WE ARE A PRODUCT COMPANY.

We Are a Process Company.

ABOVE ALL, WE ARE A PEOPLE COMPANY.

The history of the Acushnet Company is tightly woven into the fabric of golf. From the start, we’ve been committed to enriching the experience of dedicated golfers through superior product performance, technological innovation, unmatched quality, and exceptional service. We are more than a collection of leading golf brands and products. We are a team united in our passion for the game. We are bridge builders who embrace our responsibility to leave our brands, businesses, communities, and the game of golf in a better position than when we started.

Together we live by the credo, “Autograph your work with excellence.” We earn our position as unrivaled leaders in every category in which we compete, striving for excellence in all that we do – from the performance and consistency of our products to our engagement with golfers and trade partners, to our commitment to creating a workplace built on diversity, inclusion, belonging and respect.

Summary: The Product Developer Titleist Gear will have a position of minimally supervised development and research, possess and apply broad knowledge of product manufacturing processes and component engineering to complete challenging new product projects for the Titleist golf gear franchise. Works with the Gear Team (design, marketing), factories, vendors and other sources for product development and manufacturing to create samples, prototypes and producible golf gear. Seeks out new methods of manufacturing, materials, and processes that will keep Titleist Golf Gear products ahead of the competition with regards to quality, performance and technological benefits to the dedicated Titleist golf enthusiast. To keep abreast of the trends in the market with competitive products, their standards and market trends. Lead and conduct/coordinate product research and/or test programs to discover and validate product opportunities necessitating the origination and application of new and unique approaches. Responsible for keeping the development calendar and milestone development meetings on time, Cost Breakdown Forms (CBF) and material specifications, material standards are in line with Titleist goals, and quality of samples/products are industry leading. Work with the Sourcing and quality teams to ensure we are making the best products and avoiding potential failures and rejects. Able to travel to Asia and the sources of manufacturing for the Titleist Gear team as needed. Works with appreciable latitude for un-reviewed actions or decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Drive development activities for headwear and accessories categories.
• Coordinates with Titleist manufacturing partners to create prototypes, trouble shoots processes, test and validates designs/prototypes, works through CBD’s and material specs to deliver samples, confirmation samples, sales samples and ultimately production on time for scheduled delivery to the warehouse and ultimately to the market.
• Tracks progress of projects and keeps detailed reports on status for team.
• Seeks out new processes and troubleshoots how to take design concept to reality with sourcing partners and vendors.
• Provides documentation to facilitate communication and support to Design, Product Development Engineering, Research, Testing, Suppliers, Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing.
• Possess and applies broad knowledge of materials, process, costs and uses computer based programs to enable communication.
• Possess and applies broad knowledge of manufacturing techniques, tooling/CAD drawings, and physical standards as well as expedite research and development.
• Conducts and coordinates difficult CAD model qualification with vendors through prototyping and pre-production runs.
• Works closely with Key Asian supply chain and US suppliers for the design of new products, processes, and technologies.
• Consults with management to evaluate difficult project opportunities in an organized manner to align with critical path schedule requirements.
• Supplies consultation to professional co-workers, consultants and/or contractors as necessary.
• Support development activities golf bag and travel categories as needed.
  
  

Requirements:

• A BS Degree is required. Engineering or related field is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years professional experience.
• Understanding of Golf industry or Experience in Golf gear preferred.
• Broad knowledge of manufacturing techniques, processes, costing and materials (textiles, leathers, synthetics, plastics).
• Working knowledge of office computer software.
• Must possess ability to identify product opportunities and apply a broad knowledge of product development to golf bags, headwear and accessories.
• Capable of using computer for long periods of time.
• Ability for travel to international manufacturing sites approximately twice per year for two week increments.