Description

Here at Black Diamond it's all about climbing and skiing. We share the same experiences that you do on rock, ice and snow and these experiences push us to make the best gear possible for our worldwide family of climbers and skiers. 

As a product developer you will be responsible for the management and execution of Black Diamond's Product Creation Process activities for the variety of product categories at Black Diamond. With minimal supervision, will be responsible for the project management as well as leading all the development tasks from the design specification hand off phase through to the final product commercialization phase. Will be expected to complete all required development functions in accordance with the Product Creation Process and within the published company development timeline, projected product costing and spending targets. In addition, will work as a member of a cooperative team based working environment. Furthermore, based on their experience levels, may be asked to provide advice and guidance on line concepts, manufacturability, cost and supplier input during the design conceptualization phase. Will be expected to assume a managing role during the sampling and implementation phase, whether made in-house or out, and provide a seamless transition of the product into stable bulk manufacturing. 

Requirements

Education

Preferred: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline combined with work experience in the design, development or manufacture of critical application hardware

Work Experience 

Required: Typically, 3-7 years of development, design, product management, global logistics or process engineering experience in technical hardware products or consumer products. In addition, experience in sub-component supply chain management, project management and/or product development in an ISO compliment company(s) in outdoor recreation market and/or related industries is desired.

Autonomy: Able to build and execute project plans with little oversite and execute a wide range of tasks with minimal supervision. Able to identify common risks prior to them becoming serious issues and build work with more experienced team members to build plans to mitigate risk.

Organizational Impact: Conducts complex work important to the organization. Contributes to measurable team and/or organizational objectives.

Alternative qualification: Alternative to Education qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline combined with a thorough global knowledge base and work experience in technical hardware design, testing and development.

Required licenses: Valid passport

Preferred Licenses: Drivers’ License

Required ability to travel: They must be willing to travel within the contiguous United States of America (USA), as well as, abroad to work with suppliers, contractors, and others. They may also attend relevant off-site events as required to complete his/her job responsibilities. This position may require a total travel time away from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA of up to twenty percent (20%) of the work year or fifty-two (52) business day or ten (10) weeks per year.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

General physical requirements: Light Work

Visual acuity requirements: Close vision, color vision, and depth perception 

Motion and sensory requirements: Balancing, stooping, kneeling, Reaching, Standing, Walking, Pushing, Pulling, Lifting, Grasping, Feeling, Talking and Hearing.

Physical working conditions: Noise, Hazards, Atmospheric conditions, and Oils exposure possible

Specific sport competence requirements: Extensive skiing, climbing, and/or mountaineering experience preferred for in field product testing and development.

SKILLS AND GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Comprehensive understanding of global manufacturing enterprises combined with the leadership traits and communication skills required to excel in this environment. Experience with quality systems, lean manufacturing techniques, sourcing and vendor qualification, product design, costing, MRP and global logistics is desired. Strong leadership, collaboration and negotiation skills are required. Thorough knowledge of MS office tools required. Must be able to use the product in the field and provide critical feedback on product function. Requires moderate skill sets and developing proficiency within discipline.

Materials Knowledge:

Solid, proficient understanding of materials essential to decision making with regard to manufacturing processes used, environmental conditions.

Creative Problem Solving:

Should have the natural inclination to break problems down to root cause and approach solutions with curiosity and an open mind. Generate concepts through brainstorming and other creative processes. Able to connect solutions from prior experience towards solving new challenges.

Task & Project Planning:

Able to use prior experience to estimate timing on tasks and prioritize work efficiently to deliver to multiple stakeholders. Knows when to elevate issues to team and/or BUD/PLM and relevant manager.

External Communication, Project Management, and Planning:

Proficient application of global product development calendar to individual project plan. Clear communication of deliverables and milestones to internal and external teams to manage project to on-time completion.

Internal Communication and Project Management:

Must have the ability to communicate technical product issues clearly, concisely, and accurately in both written and verbal form. Must be able to shift communication styles to interact successfully with different types of people and cultures. Expected to host meetings on a cadence and provide notes with action items.

Processes Management:

Proficient with internal workflows and software systems and may suggest improvements to our given process.

Product Costing and Tools:

Requesting from vendors and reporting back to the team critical costing and product information. In conjunction with the PLM, BUD, and relevant manager, gets sign off on a project budget.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Authorized and responsible to perform all duties in accordance with BDEL Quality, Safety and Employee Policies

and procedures:

• Responsible for the management and coordination of product components and finished product development and manufacturing integration from design into bulk production. This includes the oversight of all sales sample production.

• Responsible for the creation, proper and timely maintenance of all required development documentation as specified by the Business Unit Director or relevant manager.

• Authorized and responsible to provide development timeline status and task assignments through various project management delivery systems (ERP system, design team meetings, etc.)

• Authorized to purchase and responsible for management (and reporting and tracking of) any tooling used for the development of product which can be capitalized. All proposed and actual spending for tooling must be reviewed with the Director of Product Development and Finance on a Quarterly basis.

• Strategic Supplier/Vendor Management - Working in close alignment with the Product side of the business and the Vice President of Supply Chain, the Development Engineer will actively participate in discovering, qualifying and managing relationships with Black Diamond’s strategic vendor base. 

These responsibilities include:

• Understanding the sorts of vendor capabilities that are needed to bring to market innovative BD designs in the lowest cost manner possible.

• Managing this vendor base to assure adherence to all requirements established in BD’s Vendor Guide

• Aligning vendor capacities with customer demand

• Seeking to expand the vendor base to support demand growth.

• Establishing seasonal costing parameters and negotiating costing for in-line product

• Conducting semi-annual vendor reviews.

Note: This employee may be requested to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job related

duties, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

Black Diamond is and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Black Diamond Equipment HR representative.