Product Engineering Director - Kohler Mira Ltd

Location: onsite 5 days per week at our Cheltenham HQ, with some flexibility

Package to be discussed on application

Application deadline: 18th April 2024. Early applications are encouraged as we will be reviewing applications on a weekly basis, and we will close the application process as soon as we have sufficient applicants at interview.

Designing award-winning products for our market-leading brands – Mira Showers, Rada and Kohler UK - is our lifeblood. We focus on investment, investing in the best technology and resources available and investing in each and every individual. Put simply, it’s who we are. Whether you arrive at our factories in Cheltenham or Hull, have a visit from a Service Engineer or pick up the phone to our Customer Service team, you’ll instantly see that, no matter our department or location, we all share the same values at Kohler Mira.

From day one you’re part of the Kohler Mira community – a collaborative, forward focused team with a shared pride in our work and commitment to delight our customers, develop innovative products and services and inspire our people (who knew a bathroom manufacturing company did all this?!)

But, to get to where we want to be, we are looking for a Product Engineering Director for Kohler Mira. Find out more below!

ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the Managing Director – Kohler Mira, you will be directly responsible for establishing and delivering key innovation and development strategies to meet and exceed financial expectations, to uphold Mira as the UK’s number one showering brand, and to increase vitality to continue our place as the majority value market share holder.

Whilst responsible for innovating on and delivering new product development (NPD) for Kohler Mira’s core markets, in collaboration with Industrial Design and Marketing, this position also plays a pivotal role in upholding the engineering quality for the continuous product development (CPD) portfolio. The role also involves overseeing key global projects as the performance showering center of excellence for Kohler Co. global brands/portfolio.

This role is part of the Kohler Mira Ltd. Executive team and plays a key role within the Executive Team comprised of the leaders from the other key cross functional departments – Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance & HR.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop, oversee and work to implement market leading consumer experiences through new products and services.

Champion a culture which ensures that the company lives up to its guiding principle of living on the leading edge of design and technology; drive a culture of Innovation in and through the NPD teams.

Ensure technology & innovation opportunities are exploited throughout the department, maximizing leverage from external funding – e.g. R&D tax credits and Patent Box.

Identify and ensure that we meet and deliver our responsibilities for product liability in the field & maintain external Compliance & Market Approval requirements, and drive product integrity initiatives to reduce warranty and maximise customer satisfaction on CPD.

Deliver the NPD Program to Time, Cost and Quality. Provide & control expense and capital budgets, adjusting activities to support the Business fiscal targets.

Challenge the supply chain and support the development of partnerships with key suppliers to harness their capabilities and capacity.

Provide business project management capabilities, delivering projects through multi-disciplinary team working to Time, Cost and Quality goals.

Represent the business within Kohler at the highest level and build business recognition for excellence in all aspects of NPD & CPD.

Contribute actively to continuous improvement in the Kohler NPD community towards world-leading performance. Participate in the definition of Kohler NPD strategy as appropriate.

Drive integration of Kohler Mira within the Kohler group – as a centre of excellence for appropriate technologies and products for the Kohler Co.

Talent Strategies:

Build, motivate & lead a blended team that can create value through innovation and execution. Champion and direct the Product Engineering people, processes, policies and procedures to achieve World Class Standards.

Create bench strength within the Product Engineering Management to ensure clear succession planning.

Work within a dynamic & interactive management team that flex and support each other’s activities.

To inspire a well-established and experienced cross functional team to create and innovate in an established market.

To drive team engagement to a world class level.

Ensure a blended development strategy, utilizing the internal strengths of a vertically integrated development centre together with strong external partnerships and internal low-cost tech centres.

Challenge the team to think more broadly regarding new technologies and production methods.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Educated to Degree level (Product Design or Mechanical Engineering- BEng or MEng) or equivalent, with a strong application of product design.

At least 10 years’ experience within engineering and 5 years’ experience in a mid to senior management level role.

Proven track record in consumer-focused product delivery.

Strong people management and high emotional intelligence; experience leading and inspiring teams and establishing strong succession plans is desirable, along with outstanding team engagement scores.

Good product knowledge & sound understanding of the application of leading edge technologies.

Proven ability to manage and lead change in a dynamic environment.

Strong commercial acumen, experienced in managing departmental finances with an understanding of the implications of decisions on the P&L.

Must possess manufacturing process knowledge, as well as branded consumer product NPD management experience.

Experience in consumer goods, automotive or aerospace industry.

We can offer you a lot in return!

At Kohler, you’re not a number, you’re a valued member of our team (or as we like to say, an “associate”). What this means for you, is focused development that is personalised – all of the challenge you desire with all the support you need, as well as global opportunities should you desire . We also offer competitive benefits, including a focus on wellbeing and a genuine commitment to ‘giving something back’ through our Stewardship (CSR) efforts. We believe that our depth of knowledge and breadth of opportunities set us apart and if you believe you’d add something to our team, we’d love to hear from you. You can find out more about our operating philosophy, Believing in Better, here

As an organisation, Kohler Mira is committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse associates, consumers, partners, and global communities. As an equal opportunities employer, it is Kohler Mira’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified people in all job classifications without prejudice. If, as an individual with a disability, you require adjustments during the recruitment process please contact talentacquisitionuk@kohler.com

*Important update for candidates applying to roles within Kohler Energy, including Power Systems, Engines, Home Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Heila Technologies .

On November 6, Kohler Co. announced the strategic decision to establish Kohler Energy as a separate, independent business with Platinum Equity as the majority investment partner. Kohler will continue to stay invested in the Energy business following the closing and remains committed to supporting the acceleration of long-term growth strategies for both organizations. Talent and operational transition plans are underway, and Kohler Co. and Platinum Equity expect the agreement to close in the first half of 2024.Thank you for your interest in joining our growing team as we embark on the next phase of growth!

About Us

In the UK, Kohler Mira Ltd. is made up of three market leading brands; Mira Showers, Rada Controls and Kohler Company. Where our brands differ in market position, they are equal in quality, each living up to the Kohler Company mission to live on the leading edge of design and technology and provide a single level of quality regardless of price.
Learn more about us, our brands and career opportunities at https://www.kohlercompany.com/careers/

Note for Recruitment Agencies – the Kohler Talent Acquisition team is responsible for managing all current vacancies through direct hiring and referrals wherever possible. We do work with recruitment agencies and where we require external support we will formally release those vacancies to the agencies on our Preferred Supplier List deemed best placed to assist us. Speculative CVs sent by any agency to Kohler Co. without a specific request by our Talent Acquisition Team will not be accepted and with no introduction fee applicable.

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Product Engineering Director

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