Director Research

POSITION TITLE

Director of Research & Development (not scientific, not software)

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This role reports directly to the SVP Operations

LOCATION

Chattanooga, TN (on-site)

CLIENT OVERVIEW

We are pleased to introduce our client, Card-Monroe Corporation (CMC), the world leader in tufting manufacturing and technology. To know CMC is to know the pride it shares for its heritage. Although CMC was founded in 1981, their history doesn't start there. The beginnings date back to the 1930’s, when the Cobble brothers began manufacturing tufting equipment for chenille bedspreads. Two of CMC’s founding leaders, the late Lewis Card Sr. and Roy Card, (nephews of the Cobbles) got their start in the business in the 1950's with Cobble. It is still owned by this legacy of families.

Today, CMC maintains over 2,600 state-of-the-art tufting machines in operation spanning 38 countries. It serves a vast array of markets to include Contract / Commercial, Hospitality, Residential, Synthetic Turf, Rug, and Automotive. Most recently, CMC acquired an automation business to further their offerings to existing and future clients.

MISSION STATEMENT

CMC’s Corporate Values: What we value most as we relate with our customers, suppliers, and each other:

• Honesty and Integrity
• Love, Dignity and Respect
• Servant's Heart

The company maintains a rich history of 43 years of profitability with a strong balance sheet. As a privately-held enterprise, the company proudly describes itself as a faith-based organization. Faith, family, and making the right and ethical decision drive the daily execution of our client’s business. Its culture of trust and care for their employees is undeniably one of the best you will ever experience.

“By developing and nurturing partnerships, we seek to bring industry leading tufting technology to the world... all to the Glory of God.”

POSITION IMPACT

The Director of Research & Development will ensure the company cultivates a steady stream of profitable new products that add value to their customers and continue to allow CMC to be competitive in the marketplace. The goal of this role is to ensure the company stays at the forefront of innovation within the framework of their mission and values.

This position provides oversight and leadership to the Research & Development team structure of Mechanical Engineering, Controls and Automation, Technical Tufting, and Model Shop employees. Operating in a 17,000 sq. ft. facility, the Research & Development department supports the development lifecycle of new products through all stages of the NPD process. In addition, the Director of Research & Development ensures effective and efficient use of resources (including resources from Card-Monroe Automation, Inc.) and routinely assesses the performance of the development process to ensure the Company is meeting objectives and expectations.

A leadership opportunity such as this is rare – you will serve an extraordinary company with a 43-year track record of great success and is top in its field. Working humbly with its highly talented and committed leadership, the possibilities for the future of this company are endless.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director has leadership and development responsibility for the R&D team and will assure job duties are defined, training and education is facilitated, and employees are engaged. Maintaining a technical work center that is team focused, process oriented and results driven is imperative. They will ensure performance appraisals and compensation reviews are conducted annually.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Contribution as the team leader/member to continuously identify, design, prototype, test, document, and launch new products and product enhancements that meet customer needs
• Coordination, cooperation, and integration with the Managers of Mechanical New Product Development and Manager of Controls and Automation with ongoing engagement in planning/processes and essential task of the NPD effort
• Develop and document project plans and product requirements as defined in the NPD process
• On-time and on-budget launch of new products and routine management reports on the status of projects and the performance of the department
• Utilize Lean product development methodologies and a stage-gate approach for the most efficient launch of new products
• Facilitate product design compliance with NEC, IEC, CSA, OSHA, and CE regulations
• Develop and maintain a functional dashboard and routinely report on it to the organization
• Provide engineering technical support to the Company as part of the leadership team
• Grow and mentor the knowledge base of the engineers and technicians within the department
• Create and maintain a knowledge library of product history, product trials and applications
• Assure that operation/maintenance/service manuals and related documentation for new products and technology platforms are created and maintained
• Ensure consistency in the product design cycle from concept-prototype-testing-proprietary patent applications-market release-education and training of employees and customers
• Engage with Sales and Marketing to identify NPD opportunities and provide features, advantages, and benefits of new or revised products for customer communications
• Involve vendors as partners and friends in the product development cycle
• Effective collaborative design approach and communication with key internal functions

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will bring unique leadership and technical qualifications of 10+ years of engineering leadership experience. They will have expertise in precision electro-mechanical systems with knowledge of complex embedded control logic and design, software development and CREO/ equivalent.

Performance indicators for success will include:

• Bringing desired impact of NPD on sales
• Completion of project milestones ensuring desired results
• Continuous development of NPD team members
• A demonstrated ability to impact and influence business decisions

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

We seek an experienced R&D executive that will fit into our client’s corporate culture of servant leadership, humility, and respect. He / She must possess good judgment, trustworthiness, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

The candidate’s personal characteristics should also include:

• Be a Leader Worth Following with undisputed integrity and moral compass to conduct their life with honor, both professionally and personally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to organize and present ideas and natural talent to foster collaborative relationships
• Strong influencing skills working cross-functionally with all departments; extraordinary mentoring skills
• Positive energy and drive who conducts life with an uplifting belief system
• Ability to manage conflict and demonstrate the courage to challenge organizational thinking and the status quo using a highly respectful tone and approach
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to make decisions based on data, experience, and our Client’s values and judgement to know when to involve others
• Exhibits confidence in self and in others, inspires and motivates others to perform well; accepts feedback from others

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor or Master of Science Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related Computer Science, or equivalent experience

COMPENSATION

Our client offers an attractive compensation package that includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience.