Job Description

Our company culture is built upon YKK’s philosophy called the CYCLE OF GOODNESS™. We believe that providing value and being fair to our customers and our employees is what makes us a successful company in return. Guided by our core values and fundamental behaviors, we strive to foster a caring company, committed employees and challenging work that benefits our employees, customers, and communities. We offer competitive compensation packages, training and advancement opportunities. YKK AP America provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide the security they need to enjoy life at home and at work. By providing a high level of benefit coverage at a reasonable cost to the employee, we hope to foster a long and productive employment relationship.

The Product Development Design Operations Manager at YKK AP is responsible for leading and developing a team of design engineers to deliver product development solutions that meet business objectives. This role bridges technical execution with organizational strategy by setting direction, managing project delivery, and fostering a collaborative environment where engineers can thrive. This manager is responsible for ensuring alignment between product goals and engineering execution while balancing technical excellence, business needs, and team growth.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the annual Product Development schedule in alignment with strategic business priorities.
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing to define product objectives and translate them into actionable development initiatives.
• Provide direction, assign responsibilities, and oversee daily operations of the design engineering team to ensure successful execution of Product Development themes.
• Identify and analyze market trends, research competitor products, and solicit stakeholder input to drive continuous improvement and innovation in new and existing products.
• Collaborate with Product Development Technical Services Manager in the preparation of certification programs and technical documentation, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and quality standards are met.
• Manage engineering change requests by prioritizing resources, budget, and business impact in collaboration with Product Development leadership.
• Support budget planning for testing, certifications, and consultant services in partnership with Product Development and Technical Services leadership.
• Monitor updates to building codes, testing requirements, and industry standards (IBC, IRC, AAMA/FGIA, EnergyStar, etc.), and communicate implications to relevant teams.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations, project updates, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Maintain and update Product Development project plans, providing regular progress reports to the executive team.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture or building construction is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the Commercial or Residential Construction industry with a minimum of 3 years in an engineering manager role.

• The following certifications would be beneficial: AAMA/FGIA Fenestration Masters; LEED AP (Accredited Professional); CPM (Certified Product Manager)
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing engineering teams.

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders to identify needs, develop strategies, and execute action plans aligned with the Product Development business plan.
• Proven ability to drive results in complex, fast-paced, and evolving business environments.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial and residential building products, building codes and performance testing standards.
• Able to travel up to 25%.

Recruiter Contact:

ASHLEY LITTLE

ASHLEYLITTLE@YKKAP.COM

YKK AP America Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive workforce. YKK AP America Inc. will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants. YKK AP America Inc. participates in the E-Verify program as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program (Opens in a new window)

YKK AP America Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities. Applicants with a disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process can follow the process outlined below when applying for a position: Provide your name and contact information to YKK AP America Inc.'s Accommodations team at accommodationrequest@ykkap.com Your request will be responded to as soon as possible. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis in compliance with federal and state law.

Employment with YKK AP America Inc. is conditioned upon successfully completing a criminal background check, and a negative drug test for the presence of illegal drugs post-offer, consistent with state and federal law

For candidates applying for positions in the state of California

YKK AP America Inc. will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state of federal law as required. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a criminal background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a criminal background check, if YKK AP America Inc. is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

Notice on Recruitment Fraud

At YKK AP America Inc., we do not ask for personal financial information during telephone, in-person or video interviews nor do we charge job seekers fees as part of the recruitment process. YKK AP America Inc.'s recruiting correspondence will be sent by a recruiting representative with @ykkap.com email address and not @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, @hotmail.com or any other email domain service.

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