DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Inteplast offers an excellent array of benefits: two medical plans, HSA with employer contribution; employer paid life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability, employee assistance program; voluntary benefits including: vision, accident, & critical illness; 10 paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick time, 401(k) with guaranteed match and profit share, employee referral bonus and limited education assistance.


TITLE: Director of Product Development
POSITION OBJECTIVE: The position is responsible for leading the strategic planning, design, and execution of new product initiatives to drive business growth and competitive advantage. This role oversees the full product lifecycle – from concept to commercialization – ensuring alignment with market demands, customer needs, and company goals. The director collaborates cross-functionally with R&D, marketing, sales, operations, and executive leadership to deliver innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective products on time and within budget. This position plays a key role in shaping the company’s product portfolio, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring sustained value creation for both the business and its customers.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, engineering, Business, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree (MBA or technical discipline) preferred.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in product development and with a leadership or management role.
• Proven track record of successfully leading product development initiatives from concept through launch.
• Experience working in a cross-functional environment with R&D, marketing, sales, operations, and supply chain.
• Strong understanding of the product lifecycle, including market research, prototyping, testing and commercialization.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align product strategies with market trends and customer needs.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with stakeholders at all levels.
• Familiarity with product compliance standards, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to support frequent travel.
• Ensure consistent, dependable attendance and demonstrate a willingness to accommodate non-standard work hours as necessary.
• Capable of effectively managing job-related stress and fostering productive workplace interactions.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Strategic Leadership:
◦ Develop and drive the product development strategy aligned with overall business goals.
◦ Identify market opportunities and define long-term product roadmaps.
◦ Collaborate with executive leadership to align product vision with business priorities.
◦ Monitor industry trends, customer feedback, and competitor activity to guide innovation.
• Product Lifecycle Management
◦ Oversee all stages of the product lifecycle: concept, design, development, launch, and end-of-life.
◦ Evaluate existing product lines and identify opportunities for improvement or expansion.
◦ Ensure timely and successful delivery of new products within budget and scope.
• Team & Cross-Functional Management
◦ Lead and mentor a cross-functional product development team, including designers, engineers, and project managers.
◦ Foster collaboration between departments such as R&D, marketing, operations, sales, and supply chain.
◦ Set performance objectives and ensure accountability across the development team.
• Project Oversight
◦ Prioritize and manage product development projects and initiatives.
◦ Review project plans, timelines, and budgets to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
◦ Resolve roadblocks or escalations related to design, resources, or schedules.
• Customer & Market Focus
◦ Engage with customers, sales teams, and partners to gather feedback and requirements.
◦ Translate customer needs and market demands into product specifications and features.
◦ Ensure product offerings address customer pain points and create value.
• Budget & Resource Management
◦ Develop and manage the product development budget.
◦ Allocate resources effectively across projects and teams.
◦ Track ROI for product initiatives and adjust priorities as needed.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
◦ Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the development team.
◦ Implement tools, processes, or methodologies that enhance productivity and creativity.
◦ Drive