Lambton Conveyor Limited
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Product Development Lead will play a crucial role in overseeing and driving the development of new products from concept to market launch. This position requires a strategic thinker with exceptional organizational skills, leadership qualities, and a proven track record in managing cross-functional teams. The successful candidate will work closely with management and leadership teams and respond to or resolve unforeseen events or problems through current products and new launch developments or improvements.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Program Launch Team for new business to the Lambton facility.
Lead end-to-end product development processes, from ideation to launch, ensuring alignment with business goals and market demands.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, marketing, and quality assurance, to drive product innovation and excellence.
Establish a solid and trusted relationship with both our internal teams (Production, Managers, and Designers etc.) and external customers.
Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation, using the stage gate process.
Continuously improve project delivery processes and methodologies at Lambton to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
Willing to travel to meet customers and partners across North America (global travel required).
Develop, track, and manage timelines for projects and initiatives.
Analyze, evaluate, and overcome program issues and risks, and produce program reports for managers and COO.
Provide mentoring and knowledge transfer to Lambton’s designated staff to enable continuation in operational activities and sustainment.
Providing guidance and support to a talented team of Managers that fosters a culture of innovation and excellence.
Tracks program progress and budgets, monitors timelines, conducts procurement, ensures that targets are met, and reports on deliverables.
Other related duties as assigned.
Essential Qualifications
Proven ability to manage program and project teams and development and implementation of program plans to effectively allocate resources, including equipment, space, and staff.
Experience in preparation and overseeing the execution of Research & Innovation contracts and agreements (and communicating with team).
Demonstrates strong consulting expertise by strategically leading crucial conversations regarding project timelines and budget. Ensures that decisions prioritize the budget and goals of the project.
Has participated in project planning and project management meetings and provides improvement recommendations to ensure project deliverables and timelines are met.
Demonstrated ability to assign activities to project teams and work with them to ensure that all project deliverables meet or exceed business expectations.
Able to identify and mitigate risks that may affect successful delivery of product launch program commitments.
Maintain consistent reporting processes, proactively identify missing or erroneous data, and works with the operations team and senior managers to resolve or minimize immediate and future issues.
Proactively recognize issues, initiate action, assist in problem solving and evaluate results on major issues within the plant.
Ensures scheduled milestones are met and notifies appropriate departments if setbacks are encountered.
Strong communication skills, ensuring senior managers are appraised of all issues and challenges.
Preference will be given to applicants that have an engineering background, and/or experience with designing, manufacturing, installing or operating grain handling equipment or farm machinery.