Head of Product, Technical

Job Description

The Technical and Product Innovation Director will be responsible for enhancing the technical and product expertise of the Shawano Specialty Papers division through quality systems and product development pipeline management.

This role will lead the development of long-term strategic value through sustainable product innovation and application development, along with exceptional quality standards, through external customer and internal team collaboration.

Safety Philosophy

Little Rapids Corporation will manufacture products in a manner that respects the safety and health of our associates, the environment, and the communities in which we operate. To be successful as a company, we will have exemplary safety performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Improve overall technical product and application understanding in conjunction with operational process controls and quality data.
• Lead the quality department, ensuring execution of the quality system, customer complaint process, certification, and compliance, and overall customer satisfaction.
• Drive business value through proactive innovation of new products and improvement of existing products.
• Interface with end users and customers to develop needs assessment, partnering with internal business units to better understand current product uses and identify new product ideas.
• Manage and execute the product development cycle, both internally and externally, from concept to end user satisfaction, while controlling and communicating cost, time, expectations, and deadlines.
• Interface with operations personnel to improve consistency and reliability of LRC manufacturing processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline is required.
• A minimum of 10 years experience in innovation, quality, and/or technical roles in paper production or paper converting industries.
• Previous experience in product development and direct customer interactions is preferred.
• Experience in managing innovation pipelines and/or commercialization processes.
• Prior experience managing quality systems is preferred. Six sigma/lean manufacturing training a plus.
• Demonstrated project management skills.

Key Performance Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a culture defined by LRC's core values of achievement, teamwork, innovation, and respect.
• Innovative / Creative Problem Solving.
• Change Management and Flexibility.
• Process Management.
• Data Analysis.
• Effective verbal and writing communication skills.

Travel Requirements

Ability to work additional hours during the week, nights, or on weekends may be required. Must have the ability to travel (air/land) 15 – 20% of the time. The ability to work in a normal office environment to include: sitting or standing for long periods of time, operating various standard office equipment, carrying paper documents/files, reaching and bending, speaking on the telephone, walking through our manufacturing plant, and wearing required personal protection gear (i.e. hearing, eye, and foot protection).

Care – Take Care of One Another & Always Be Transparent

Act – Dream Big, Think Big, Act Big & Create Contagious Energy

Serve – Do Great Things Together & Be Easy to Work With

Our purpose is remarkably simple: to bring together all their people's talents and energies to create an outstanding organization that delivers true value to their customers.