Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Job Title: Design Development Manager
Duration: Permanent, On-site
Work Location: Johannesburg, Wadeville

OVERALL, PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

• Responsible for all aspects of design to ensure the business objectives are met.
• Manage the sourcing of materials and tooling for new products and value engineered projects. Working in conjunction with purchasing and toolroom.
• Implement and maintain systems and procedures to ensure the integrity of their development and change processes.
• Achieving high standard of quality, compliance, cost efficient and speed to market. Management of design engineering team.
• Manage expense and project budgets.
• Manage the projects to completion achieving agreed cost in terms of piece price and implementation expenditure. Manage the team on technical best practice and establish standard policies and procedures whilst also mentoring and leading the team.
• Maintaining a motivated, competent, and professional team.
• Lead and co-ordinate resources within the department to ensure all projects are produced efficiently, on time and in line with quality standards ensuring that Health, Safety and Environmental requirements are adhered to.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategy and Development:

• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best practice tool room vision, strategy, policies, processes, and procedures to aid and improve operational performance.
• Introduction of new and developing technologies to improve business performance.
• Identify business improvement opportunities within the organization.
• Contribute to new business initiatives, projects, review and communicate the impact on design activities.
• Maintain a good understanding of the standard rating to international and local standard and specifications.
• Keeping abreast of forthcoming changes an assessing the impact on the business.

2. General and Task Management:

• Provide specialist technical advice and support to the business.
• Support production and engineering with tooling/technical problems.
• Supervise/Manage the running and plan activities of the department facilities, ensuring the department a safe working environment in line with health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Ability and willingness to participate in industry standard committees.
• Oversee all work through the support departments for example toolroom and test laboratory and manage the workflow through supplier.
• Develop, implement, and manage key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.

Present Team

• 3 Design engineers
• 1 Master data Administrator

3. People Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance. Ensure an effective interface with other departmental staff is maintained.
• Communicate with manufacturing, quality, engineering, tool room personnel, and vendors concerning tool debugging, tool design, equipment purchases, outside machining services, and operator training.
• Assist with the development and implementation of company goals and objectives.
• Set department objectives/KPIs and review and assess ongoing performance of direct reports.
• Report on achievement of targets and identify any actions required.
• Manage and lead the team, ensuring adequate staffing levels, managing holiday allowances, recruitment, training, development, appraisal, attendance, disciplinary issues, and daily supervision to maximise efficient productivity.
• Monitor the completion of tasks and ensure good performance and record on appropriate systems.
• Consistently promote high standards through personal example and roll out through the team so that each member of the team understands the standards and behaviors expected of them.
• With help from Human Resources, make hiring and termination decisions to meet company goals.
• Ensure that all employees, equipment, materials, and areas of operation conform to appropriate health and safety regulations.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

Knowledge:

• Design of high-volume electromechanical products.
• Ideally with experience in wiring accessory product ranges.
• Ideally with knowledge of plastic injection moulding, press work and modern assembly techniques.

Temperament:

• Excellent leadership and man- management skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a variety of cross-functional team members.
• A self-starter, motivated and able to positively motivate others.

Personnel Style:

• Commands respect within the business, peer group and market.
• Competent in problem solving, team building, planning and decision making.
• Be resilient, optimistic, and open to change.
• Focused and target driven with a positive, can-do attitude.

Project Management and controls:

• Experience in project definition, quoting new tools and equipment and good knowledge of project management, and time management discipline.
• Health and Safety management.
• Excellent organisational and follow-up skills.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

Formal Qualifications:

• Engineering degree in a related field.
• Desirable to be professional engineer registered with ECSA. Pr Eng.
• Technical knowledge gained through vocational and non-vocational training.

Experience:

• 5 years minimum experience in engineering design. Preferably in the electrical field.
• Experience in high volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience of complex project management.
• Knowledge of SANS and BS standard applicable to accessories would be an advantage.
• Experience of working within a multinational organisation.

PACKAGE & REMUNERATION:

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, applicable experience, and previous earnings.

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