THE COMPANY

Our client is a lever action and gun manufacturer.

THE POSITION

The VP of Product Development will lead the design of innovative new products that differentiate and offer the highest value to the consumer and the company. This position reports directly to the President.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruit and hire for growth while managing their team of engineers and support staff.
• Build robust new product development processes and systems to efficiently create, document and transfer technology throughout the NPD cycle.
• Responsible for open projects focusing on quality, manufacturability, on-time delivery and value.
• Perform, manage, mentor and lead design in all required skills.
• Derive tolerances used in tolerance stack-up analysis according to DFMEA-driven CPK values and statistical probability.
• Maintain a deep understanding of competitive products and white space opportunities.
• Contribute to technology selection and capital investments throughout the company.
• Be an effective leader and mentor throughout the organization.
• Coach, develop and train the team to be the industry leader in firearms development.
• Develop processes to drive innovation and ideation.
• Participate in strategic planning to ensure companywide success.
• Support sales and marketing in decision making and planning.
• Communicate throughout the organization.
• Build a team that leverages input across the organization.

• A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; an advanced degree in engineering or an MBA is preferred.
• Ten-plus years of direct experience in the design, development, build, qualification, test and certification of firearms (or equivalent industry with assembly of precise tolerance components) with at least five years of management experience.
• Proficient with engineering tools and CAD software. Strong computer skills and experience.
• A passion for firearms and new product development.
• A leader in all things engineering without boundary.
• Competitive for metric-driven results.
• Emotional maturity capable of promoting goals while resolving conflicts.