Head of Product Development , APAC

Objectives of the position:

Responsible for the management of product development projects for our company’s connectivity solutions with experience in cables and connectors for power, signal and data primarily for ASEAN, Australia/New Zealand, Taiwan and other APAC countries (no own development projects, but management / coordination and handling of traded goods). Individual who understands cable and connector designs and cable connectivity requirements. The individual should also have experience with active components products for industry and building automation.

• Coordinate with APAC product development teams for appropriate allocation of product/projects and in alignment with product cluster management with respect to new product specification and designs for different product applications and requirements.

• Ensure timely, high quality and cost effective implementation of products/projects development in close collaboration with internal departments and external partners.

• Tap into external brains (scientific and industrial partners) via development of our company‘s relationship with centers of excellence (ex. NYP in Singapore) and the organisation of idea generation events (e.g., Hackathons).

• Develop Compnay‘s Exploration center / Demo kits in APAC in coordination with product management and sales.

• Support the expansion of Company‘s Singapore laboratory with the misson of testing supplier products (control & data cables) as part of global laboratory network.

• Coordinate with global R&D and Engineering AG for developing patent strategy in APAC.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Organization

1. Technical guidance/support of the series development teams in APAC, including regular feedback and development discussions.

2. Planning of resources and budgets for development projects.

3. Continuous improvement of development processes and methodologies.

4. Planning and management of development budgets with approval of CTO.

Product Development

1. Manage and execute development projects from concept to series production via stage gate process [for instance, own the technical data sheet (TDS) and coordinate Initial Sample Inspection Report (ISIR) for product release in collaboration with quality and product management].

2. Ensure compliance with quality, cost and timeline targets.

3. Manage the product technical aspects/product specification to fulfil the product requirements defined by product management to fulfil the customer needs and achieve the business’ short- and long-term goals.

4. Responsible for technical data sheets (TDS) for customised products (SPP) to support procurement team.

5. Responsible for technical coordination with product owner/product management, procurement and quality adoption projects with supplier (APAC factories/vendors).

6. Responsible for product development activities at CWI including each laboratory competency development and control of raw material for ISIR issued in coordination with quality.

7. Focus to grow the products in collaboration with product management for key focus segments.

8. Work with global team on various technical topics as per organizational requirements.

Cross Functional Collaboration

1. Close cooperation with product management, procurement, production and quality assurance.

2. Coordination with internal and external suppliers and laboratories as well as national and internal subsidiaries.

3. Contribute to global engineering team under global R&D on various technical topics.

Strategy & Innovation

1. Contribution to the definition of product strategy and roadmap.

2. Evaluation of new technologies and market trends relevant to series development.

3. Representation of company’s interests in standardization committees as well as development and implementation of new certifications and approvals.

4. Support in industrialization and market launch of new products.

5. Acquisition of relevant intellectual property rights as well as monitoring and assessment of relevant patent specifications.

Documentation & Reporting

1. Preparation of technical documentation and decision papers for standard and special products as per Company’s Corporate Directive.

2. Regular reporting to senior management.

Decision Making Power:

1. Within the defined specifications of the applicable organizational application.

2. Technical focus of the main areas of work of the team members assigned.

3. Technical direction of development projects as well as selection of technologies, materials and suppliers within defined guidelines.

4. Approval of development budgets and resources within own area of responsibility.

Reporting Requirements to Line Manager:

1. All relevant information and next steps as per organisational guidelines.

Skills & Qualification:

1. Degree in Electrical, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic or Industrial Engineering.

2. Several years of professional experience in series development of technical products, ideally in the field of connectivity technology.

3. Computer literate and knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

4. High affinity for solving technical problems using state-of-the-art simulation and calculation methods as well as a wide variety of measurement techniques.

5. In depth knowledge of the competition landscape across industry in connectivity solutions.

6. Minimum 10-15 years of experience in leading a technical product team.

7. Experience in carrying out complex technical projects in interdisciplinary teams.

8. Experience in cable testing and approval procedures.

9. Fluent in English (both written and spoken) . Other language is at advantage as the role will have to support our China team.

10. Professional experience in development of technical products, ideally in the field of connectivity technology and in an internationally operating corporation.

11. Strong communication, writing and presenting skills and able to work as a team player.

12. Hands on skills and strong customer focus

13. Detail with good analytical / problem solving abilities

14. Experience in professional management of teams

Working hours:

Mon to Fri 9am - 6pm