Vice President Jobs

Work Mode: Hybrid

Location: Hybrid at Kohler, WI

Opportunity

Accountable for setting, and leading the delivery of, annual and long-term business performance objectives; manage and report on performance; hold direct reports accountable for achievement of business plans, and take corrective action where necessary to ensure achievement, balancing the need to deliver short term business objectives with the longer-term delivery of SVA; focus on continuous improvement that enables the organization to meet or exceed its growth and profitability objectives.

Responsible for stimulating new product, product improvement, and cost reduction ideas throughout the division and for developing and maintaining a strong divisional engineering capability to exceed the competition and achieve divisional, group, and corporate business objectives.

Responsible for attracting, developing, retaining and rewarding talent across the organization to ensure bench strength and succession and hold leaders accountable for doing the same throughout the organization.

Specific Responsibilities

• Drive the design and development of industry leading to new product concepts for current and future markets that KPS product will compete in. Maintain awareness of competitive products and innovations and of technological advances in materials, processes, and design throughout industry for possible impact on and application to products of the division.
• Manages and gives technical and financial direction to the operations of the Engineering Department, including functions of design, development, CAD/drafting, engineering services, test laboratory operations, sample product manufacture, application engineering, field testing, development and departmental budgets. Support all aspects of quality (i.e., supplier quality, production and field support), sales, manufacturing and marketing.
• Coordinate product developments with manufacturing process capability and developments to insure producibility of new product designs when released for production and to promote correlative advances in product design and manufacturing processes which will give the division major competitive advantages in the marketplace.
• Direct the development and execution of laboratory, engineering prototype and field-testing programs of new and modified product designs in cooperation with Product Reliability, to ensure their conformance to all specifications and requirements and assure acceptable reliability in future field use. Ensure that prompt corrective action is taken wherever test results indicate the need.
• Evolve the engineering organization to a higher performance level by building new technical skills through effective hiring, training and development of engineering staff. Foster and monitor the continued technical growth of the department’s human resources through effective coaching, goal setting and providing professional and personal development opportunities to ensure strong bench strength for succession planning purposes. Ensure strategic hiring of engineering talent on a global basis that will drive product innovation and excellence.
• Responsible for leading product innovation in the design, engineering and overall development execution of product development efforts accomplished in and for Kohler Power Systems. Will assure that products and technology are maintained in a manner that support a worldwide leadership position in the industry; either developing internal functional capability and excellence or partnering with other companies on product development or new technologies. Will provide the strategy and framework by which the company can achieve world class product development capability, including setting and disciplining design engineering processes, identifying and adapting new technologies for products and ensuring engineering support services continue to improve to meet the needs of product development.
• Leverage partnerships and build a network of effective relationships both internally and externally with business leaders and key customers.
• Drive high performance including celebrating and rewarding successes and addressing underperformance in a timely manner.
• Identify the capabilities needed to meet the current and emerging business needs of an international business or strategic function. Evaluate current capabilities, identify gaps, and prioritize development activities. Embed personal development and the fulfillment of personal potential in the culture of the organization. Build capabilities elsewhere in the organization through mentoring and other informal methods.
• As a member of the KPS Top Team, provide leadership to the business including recommendations on financial matters (e.g., business and product line income statements), market involvements, and new product developments.
• Prepare department budgets and forecasts of major expenditures, labor requirements, operating programs, and expenses. Continuously monitor and analyze department performance relative to cost objectives, controllable expense, and development expense budgets, and direct or recommend corrective changes to maintain optimum operating efficiency. Create and continuously maintain budget and resource plan for the next calendar year and provide input for long-range business planning.

Skills/Requirements

• A practical working knowledge of marketing, finance, materials, manufacturing, as well as other engineering functions.
• Additional expectations for success:
• Must have knowledge of the engineering principles applied to the design of new products and the update of existing products – advanced analysis methods, robust design, quality and reliability engineering techniques, design for manufacturability and concurrent development practices.
• Position requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (preferably Electrical or Mechanical), and advanced degree in Engineering or Business with at least ten years of broad engineering management experience in relevant fields including successful product development.

• Excellent team player. Able to lead or participate in cross-functional teams to achieve goals and objectives. Objective, open-minded, influential and receptive to feedback.
• Strong people and communication skills that engage and inspire others. Able to stimulate new thinking and delight customers.
• Demonstrated experience painting a compelling vision and strategy that energizes others to action.
• Previously have built strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. For example, provides rich and targeted insight on establishing strong teams with the right mix of abilities and perspectives. Conveys team members' roles and goals in a compelling way that builds excitement.
• Capacity for strategic thinking and analytical skills on business and behavioral insights.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Why Work at Kohler Co.?

Kohler Co.'s mission is to contribute to a higher level of gracious living for those who are touched by our products and services. We understand that it takes investment in our associates’ development to make that happen. So, we offer ongoing investment in each individual’s personal development and the opportunity to collaborate with others across functions and roles at Kohler.

In addition to the investment in your development, Kohler offers a benefits package including a competitive salary, health, vision, dental, 401(k) with company matching, and more!

About Us

Beyond the competitive benefits and compensation, Kohler proudly offers a rich history, steeped in creativity and a commitment to our associates and communities. We invite you to learn more about our culture and company at www.kohlercompany.com.

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified personnel in all job classifications without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.