Email/Notes Group Director jobs in Appleton, WI

Location:  Hybrid/onsite 3 days per week at Kohler, WI preferred. Candidates working remotely may also be considered. 

Opportunity

The Director, Advanced Development is responsible for leading and driving technical innovation for Kitchen and Bath (K&B) Business Unit globally.  The leader will provide guidance, influence, and hands-on support to develop and implement the advanced development strategy for current and future technologies across various product categories in K&B Business Unit.  This position reports to the Vice President of Global Product Innovation, K&B Group and collaborates closely with other members of Engineering, Category Management, Industrial Design, and K&B leadership team. The individual will drive innovation and research to achieve the long-term business objectives and business growth globally.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manage K&B core technologies including materials & coatings, water technologies (including other fluids and chemistry) and electronics, smart and immersive technologies (including wellness and medical applications).
• Spearhead Kohler’s enterprise innovation program, ensuring the application of innovation best practices.
• Establish technical strategies and technology roadmaps for the Enterprise Technology Advanced Development organization. 
• Identify, assess, and execute advanced development projects for successful transition into New Product Development teams. Continuously monitor and analyze project performance relative to key project parameters.
• Identify, assess, establish, and maintain strategic technology partnerships including technology centers, other technology companies, universities, external consultants, vendors, national laboratories and academic partners where necessary to understand technology trends and increase organization’s technical capabilities.
• Maintain a deep understanding of competitor products and technical capabilities.  Keen awareness of emerging technologies to assure Kohler maintains and enhances its reputation as the leader in innovation, product design, functionality, and quality.
• Act as subject matter expert and champion for innovation and innovation-related processes and working to increase a culture of innovation across the organization.
• Guide Innovation team in transforming pre-discovery concept ideas into business incubation proposals, complete with identified milestones, metrics, and required resources.
• Combine a startup mindset, product development/customer insights expertise, and a passion for transformative innovation, while excelling in creative problem-solving, analysis, and strategic collaboration.
• Create an environment to inspire and motivate team to boldly innovate with technology to achieve excellence while driving accountability and ownership.
• Develop best-in-class innovation and advanced technical capability through organizational assessment, coaching, career development, and talent acquisition. Ensure strong bench strength through robust succession planning.
• Partner with Human Resources relative to organization staffing, training, performance appraisal, and salary administration of the department.