Product Development Manager

Champion Irrigation - Memphis, TN

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Memphis, TN

Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry

About the position

The Product Development Manager at Champion Irrigation is responsible for leading the technical and physical development aspects of research and development (R&D) and new product development. This role supports the Managing Director of Sales & Marketing and involves managing multiple new product development projects from inception to market introduction, ensuring close collaboration with the Operations Team and International Product Development Managers. The position also includes providing technical support for existing products and managing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs).

Responsibilities

• Lead technical product development from concept through to production.
• Coordinate requirements capture and develop System Requirements Documents.
• Control change of Bills of Materials and release management.
• Participate in project milestone reviews by preparing and presenting the key technical documentation.
• Manage technical risks and issues.
• Work with 3rd party engineers to develop and manage design verification test plans.
• Support the management of product documentation including agency listings, testing standards and other required approvals.
• Assist International and Vendor design engineers with applications engineering and testing.
• Support Sales, Marketing and Customer Service teams with technical queries.
• Support supplier visits by providing technical requirements input.
• Support Manufacturing team to develop build process instructions.
• Be hands-on with product development when required.
• Provide support to the current product portfolio through management of ECR's.

Requirements

• Experience in relevant plumbing or irrigation product management.
• Good working experience of a stage/gate product development methodology.
• New Product Introduction experience.
• Experience of performing different product development/product management functions to deliver products to meet Agency performance criteria.
• Experience in the design of products with both mechanical and electrical/electronic elements.
• Working knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience of product testing.
• Consideration of Design for Manufacture in the development of new products.
• Focus consistently on delivery and escalate appropriately to resolve issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interface with all parts of the business internally and with customers and suppliers.
• Understanding of financial business cases.
• Excellent problem-solving ability to establish root cause issues.

Nice-to-haves

• Creativity and enthusiasm with a ‘can do' outlook.
• A passion for design with attention to detail.
• The ability to work to tight deadlines and budgets.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and make confident decisions.
• Broad awareness and appreciation of differing global business cultures.
• Good abilities with MS Project, Excel, Word & PowerPoint.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off