A leader in the work truck, trailer, and snow & ice management industry, is seeking a forward-thinking, high-impact Director of Engineering. This senior leadership role drives multiple engineering teams aligned to product lines and manufacturing operations across several sites, providing vision and end-to-end leadership from new product development through sustaining engineering. This leader will set the tone through action, maintaining a strong and visible presence on the manufacturing floor.

This is a transformational role.

We are seeking a leader who has thrived in high-performing, modern manufacturing environments and can bring that perspective to Buyers Products. This individual will continue to build momentum in designing products that optimize manufacturing efficiency and deliver greater value to our customers. Success in this role requires deep experience advancing automation through intentional fixture and tooling strategies, along with a commitment to strengthening standards and capabilities that improve quality, throughput, repeatability, and cost.

The Director owns engineering portfolio and resource management across multiple disciplines and sites, leading through functional managers responsible for Design Engineering, Product Testing, and Fixture Engineering. This role includes direct leadership of the Fixture Design Engineering team and indirect oversight of broader engineering functions. The Director is accountable for building a scalable, disciplined engineering organization that supports long-term growth.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Management of Engineering Teams

• Lead, manage, and develop Product, Sustaining/Manufacturing, and Fixture Design Engineering teams.
• Set clear priorities and execution cadence aligned with business objectives.
• Build team capability, develop leaders, and drive accountability for results.
• Maintain a visible, hands-on presence on the manufacturing floor.

Product Development and Engineering Execution

• Lead engineering ownership from concept through production and growth including Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and validation.
• Oversee design, analysis, testing, and release in compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
• Drive cost reduction through design without compromising quality or performance.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards and best practices.

Manufacturing Integration and Continuous Improvement

• Partner with manufacturing and Continuous Improvement to support lean initiatives, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.
• Improve welding, forming, and assembly performance through design, process capability, and tooling innovation.
• Work with manufacturing engineering to improve automation and apply best practices to improve quality, throughput, and repeatability.

Fixture Design and Tooling Leadership (Direct Responsibility)

• Directly lead the Fixture Design Engineering team, with full responsibility for performance and output.
• Own fixture and tooling strategy, capacity planning, and technical standards.
• Deliver solutions that enable automation and ensure safe, consistent, and repeatable builds.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Operational Alignment

• Partner with Product Management, Sales, Operations, Customer Service, Continuous Improvement, Quality, and Sourcing to execute business objectives.
• Support supplier qualification, make/buy decisions, and cost management.
• Establish and govern product change and release processes, documentation, and configuration management.
• Maintain engineering data within ERP/document control systems and develop product cost estimates.
• Support intellectual property efforts and provide technical expertise for complex customer and legal matters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Regular presence on manufacturing and distribution floors, including extended walking in large-scale facilities.
• Exposure to industrial equipment, machinery, and active production environments.
• Periods of stationary, computer-based work in an office setting.

Requirements/What You’ll Bring

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience, including leadership of multiple teams in manufacturing.
• Experience leading through managers/technical leads in a scaled engineering organization.

Technical and Manufacturing Leadership

• Strong technical depth with ability to lead through influence and make data-driven decisions.
• Proven lean manufacturing experience, including continuous improvement and shop floor problem solving.
• Experience leading fixture/tooling engineering to enable automation (e.g., robotic welding, automated assembly).
• Fluency with CAD, ERP systems, and document control practices.

Systems, Planning, and Execution

• ERP experience including BOM structure, part creation, and engineering standardization.
• Portfolio management experience including prioritization, capacity planning, and risk management across multiple programs.

Leadership and Influence

• Ability to influence across executive, plant, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills with a high sense of urgency and ownership.
• Hands-on leadership style with strong accountability for execution and results.

Industry and Compliance Experience

• Consumer products or industrial manufacturing experience preferred.
• Regulatory compliance experience is a plus (e.g., Prop 65, Conflict Minerals, REACH, RoHS).

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person