Manager, Category Engineering

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

The Category Engineering Manager plays a vital role in guiding and enhancing engineering initiatives within their designated category of the Division. This position is tasked with ensuring that engineering strategies, projects, and initiatives are in line with the overall business objectives and technological advancement goals of the category. The Category Engineering Manager will lead engineering teams, foster innovation, and oversee the successful execution of projects to meet both category and divisional goals.

What You Will Do at Graco

Drive Growth Strategy

• Collaborate closely with Marketing Managers to identify and develop customer-centric New Product Development (NPD) opportunities.

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive five-year product plan that aligns with the growth strategy for the customer category.

• Build and maintain ongoing industry expertise, including insights into markets, applications, trends, existing technologies, and the competitive landscape, leveraging input from customers, distributors, warranty data, worldwide technical assistance, sales, and manufacturing.

• Work in partnership with Marketing Managers to develop Customer Requirement Documents (CRDs) for project proposals.

• Identify and implement innovative technologies to enhance customer value and support Graco's intellectual property strategy and growth objectives.

• Seek out and utilize existing technologies both from within Graco and from the industry.

• Provide accurate project and product cost estimates for five-year plan proposals.

• Promote the sharing of technologies, platforms, cost-saving opportunities, and process improvements across projects and divisions at Graco.

Project Management

• Manage and execute new product development projects, providing technical oversight and support to drive key decisions that align with project objectives.

• Facilitate customer validation through regular touchpoints during the development process.

• Ensure effective staff management by assigning appropriate resources for project success and personnel development.

• Oversee qualification processes, ensuring that both standard and non-standard qualifications are met for products, customers, applications, and environments.

• Ensure compliance with NPD101 requirements and deliverables (and ENG101 as needed).

• Maintain rigorous ROI management, focusing on project investments (labor/expenses), product costs, capital investments, and launch timelines.

• Keep upper management updated on product design and development status, including progress, issues, and risks.

• Monitor quality and customer satisfaction post-launch to ensure ongoing success.

Additional Responsibilities

• Enhance NPD efficiencies by providing teams with the necessary tools, resources, and support to work effectively.

• Collaborate with Engineering Services to monitor and address field and manufacturing issues, support first-pass test improvements, and implement process enhancements.

• Work with Manufacturing and Purchasing to support cost reduction initiatives.

Team Leadership and Financial Management 

• Lead, mentor, manage, and staff of global engineering team, and other members of the team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and promoting a culture of excellence. 

• Drive team performance by setting clear goals, providing ongoing feedback, and facilitating professional growth opportunities. 

• Establish, manage, and be accountable for the annual team budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and alignment with organizational strategic objectives. 

What You Will Bring to Graco

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or a related field. A Master’s degree or advanced certification is preferred. 

• 7+ years of experience in engineering roles, with a proven track record of leading engineering teams and managing complex projects within a specific category or industry. 

• Excellent leadership skills; 2+ years of team leadership experience preferred.   

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