Director of Engineering

CLARK Material Handling Company, is a 100 year old company, and a global  leader in the material handling and forklift industry. CLARK is seeking qualified candidates to join our team.

Position Objective/Summary:

The Director of Engineering is responsible for the design and support of CLARK product in North America. This position has overall responsibility for the engineering of products built in Lexington to ensure all technical and market requirements are met and are consistent with the CLARK “Built to Last” philosophy. This position serves as CMHC representative on the Global Product Planning Committee and is responsible to review designs from CLARKs overseas engineering centers as it relates to product sold in the North America market to ensure compliance with the same standards. Review scopes of all new projects. Lead quality improvement initiatives internally as well as with affiliates.

This position is responsible for the effective operation of the Engineering functions within CMHC responsible for support of new  and current equipment. Review field issues with engineering and service staff and ensure appropriate corrective actions and engineering change requests are generated.

As a senior leader, the Director of Engineering is expected to champion CLARK's Three Points of Contact Strategic Framework by ensuring department priorities, investments, and initiatives support Sales Growth, Urgent Customer Service, and Culture. Through engineering innovation, responsive product support, and talent development, this position plays a critical role in advancing CLARK's strategic objectives while exercising the flexibility necessary to respond to evolving customer and market needs.

Essential Functions:

• Ensures engineering initiatives, resource allocation, and strategic decisions support Sales Growth, Urgent Customer Service, and Culture.
• Drive innovation and new product development activities that strengthen CLARK's competitive position, support sustainable Sales Growth, and create value for dealers and customers
• Foster a culture of urgency, accountability, and customer focus by ensuring engineering, service, warranty, and technical support functions respond effectively to customer and dealer needs.
• Build and maintain a high-performance culture that promotes employee engagement, collaboration, continuous improvement, leadership development, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Evaluate major engineering projects, investments, and process improvements to ensure alignment with CLARK's strategic priorities and long-term business objectives.
• Plans, organizes, directs, monitors and controls the product engineering process and motives the staff, setting the tone of the work environment.
• Plans the facilities, equipment and services appropriate to accomplish the work of the department.
• Manage engineering department in the design and development of new products and support of current production products.
• Work with the heads of other departments to develop strategic goals for the Engineering department, which aligns with our overall corporate strategy.
• Lead and implement engineering process improvements and best-in-class engineering tools to improve new product development quality and pace.
• Drive the cost-effective design (design-to-cost) and maximize common parts use/design enabling cost reduction opportunity
• Establish, monitor and improve relevant key performance indicators to drive innovation and new product development performance.
• Lead the resolution of critical customer and/or product issues through root cause analysis.
• Build and lead a highly effective team and coach, mentor and develop high-performing engineering talent capable of excelling within the organization.
• Effectively and efficiently allocate engineering resources and skill sets to ensure all projects are completed per plan and meet technical, cost, quality and schedule requirements.
• Ensure products comply with safety and other statutory requirements.
• Provide oversight on customer service support with dealers and customers to satisfy requirements with any application and service issues.
• Review dealer service & warranty issues and provide mediation for sales policy decisions that treats customers and dealers fairly and consistently.
• Lead effort to enhance quality of all CLARK product regardless of manufacturing source. Establish appropriate quality reviews and lead monthly warranty reviews and ensure appropriate corrective actions and engineering change requests are generated.
• Collaborate with manufacturing operations at CMHC to cost effectively and safely run the modification operations, meeting customer delivery requirements.
• Responsible for expense budget creation and control of all departments and the planning and implementation of all capital expenditures.
• Review all personnel actions and ensure adequate training throughout the organization. Ensure orderly transition plans in place for any nearing retirement and careful selection process for any new hires.
• Partner with Global Engineering team to ensure global projects meet all QCD targets.
• Meetings and teleconferences with international engineering, quality and engineering affiliates often before or after normal work hours.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree required
• 15 years’ experience in engineering and product support, including multi-project oversight and Management of Engineering teams and projects
• Demonstrated success leading organizations through strategic initiatives that support business growth, customer satisfaction, quality improvement, and organizational development.
• • Proven ability to build high-performing teams and cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• • Ability to make sound business and technical decisions aligned with CLARK's strategic priorities of Sales Growth, Urgent Customer Service, and Culture.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the forklift and Material Handling Industry
• Strong/Proven analytical skills
• Polished dealer and customer presentation skills
• Sound technical and business judgement
• Sufficient maturity to interact effectively with managers of other departments and with upper management
• Periodic travel (domestic & international) will be required to support customers, sales team, distribution partners and CLARK’s manufacturer locations.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States indefinitely without any sponsorship

Clark Material Handling Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.