Category Manager - R&D

JOB TITLE : Category Manager - R&D

LOCATION: Peenya, Bangalore

A. Job Description:

1. Leadership and Team Management:
   • Lead an engineering team focused on hydraulic cylinder design, including staffing, mentoring, performance reviews, and career development.
   • Provide technical leadership and professional mentorship.
2. Product Development:
   • Drive product optimization from concept through to support, focusing on innovative design and efficiency.
   • Collaborate with global customers and internal teams across different geographies to align product development plans with strategic objectives.
3. Technical and Customer Interface:
   • Serve as the key technical and customer interface, both domestically and internationally, for new projects.
   • Manage requests for quotation (RFQ), providing timely responses and technical sign-offs as per Statement of Requirements (SOR).
   • Oversee the submission of Bill of Materials (BoM) to the sales team, ensuring alignment and agreement on specifications.
4. Manufacturing and Process Knowledge:
   • Possess a strong understanding of manufacturing processes relevant to product design and development.

B. Resource and Budget Planning:

• Engage in cross-functional collaboration within R&D to propose innovative designs.
• Oversee the development of Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R) and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA).

C. Technical Program Execution:

• Lead cross-functional teams including manufacturing, marketing, sourcing, and plant operations to ensure standardization and modularity in designs.
• Manage prototype quality and delivery, ensuring adherence to planned timelines and execution strategies.

D. SOP and Transition to Production:

• Coordinate with plant teams to ensure smooth transition from design to industrialization.
• Address issues during the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and ensure timely validation.

E. Technology Development:

• Advise on and implement new technologies that could impact profitability and efficiency.
• Stay informed on regulatory changes and competitive developments, integrating findings into strategic planning.

F. People and Performance Management:

• Facilitate professional development and manage performance of direct reports, ensuring continuous learning and improvement.

G. Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Extensive experience (15+ years) in hydraulic cylinder design and leading teams of 10 or more engineers.
• Proficiency in engineering software tools such as Creo, CAD, and PDM Windchill.

H. Soft Skills:

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and interact effectively with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing both internal and external meetings, fostering motivation, and handling crisis situations adeptly.

I. Qualifications:

• Bachelor s or Master s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.