Director of Product Development

JMJ Phillip Group; Midland (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

JMJ Phillip Group seeks an experienced Director of Product Development to lead the development and commercialization of innovative products from concept through launch in Midland, MI. The role provides strategic direction and oversees cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and marketing to ensure products meet customer, quality, and business requirements.

The position emphasizes identifying opportunities, guiding design and testing, and driving continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Product Development, Business, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in product development, engineering, or product management.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional product development teams.
• Strong understanding of product development processes from concept through commercialization.
• Experience with product design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex development initiatives and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute product development strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead product initiatives from concept and design through testing, validation, and commercialization.
• Evaluate market trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies to identify product opportunities.
• Establish development priorities, timelines, and performance objectives.
• Oversee product design, development, prototyping, testing, and validation activities.
• Guide teams in developing innovative and commercially viable products.
• Ensure product designs meet applicable quality, performance, cost, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing products and development processes.
• Lead and coordinate product development teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, marketing, and other functions.
• Establish clear responsibilities, milestones, and accountability across development projects.
• Communicate project progress, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build strong collaboration between technical and commercial teams.
• Oversee new product introduction and transition from development to production.
• Monitor product performance and customer feedback after launch.
• Identify opportunities to improve product quality, cost, functionality, and customer value.
• Drive continuous improvement across product development processes.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Product development

Strategic planning

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Product Development, Business, or related field

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Director of Product Development to lead the development and commercialization of innovative products from concept through launch. This role will provide strategic direction, lead cross-functional development efforts, and ensure products meet customer, quality, performance, and business requirements.

Position Responsibilities

Product Development Strategy

• Develop and execute product development strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead product initiatives from concept and design through testing, validation, and commercialization.
• Evaluate market trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies to identify product opportunities.
• Establish development priorities, timelines, and performance objectives.

Product Innovation & Development

• Oversee product design, development, prototyping, testing, and validation activities.
• Guide teams in developing innovative and commercially viable products.
• Ensure product designs meet applicable quality, performance, cost, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing products and development processes.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead and coordinate product development teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, marketing, and other functions.
• Establish clear responsibilities, milestones, and accountability across development projects.
• Communicate project progress, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build strong collaboration between technical and commercial teams.

Commercialization & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee new product introduction and transition from development to production.
• Monitor product performance and customer feedback after launch.
• Identify opportunities to improve product quality, cost, functionality, and customer value.
• Drive continuous improvement across product development processes.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Product Development, Business, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in product development, engineering, or product management.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional product development teams.
• Strong understanding of product development processes from concept through commercialization.
• Experience with product design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex development initiatives and priorities.

Certifications (Preferred, but not Required)

• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Certified Product Manager (CPM) or related product management certification.
• Lean Six Sigma certification.
• Design or engineering-related professional certifications.

What the Role Offers

• Salary: $150,000–$200,000 annually
• Opportunity to lead strategic product development and innovation initiatives.
• Cross-functional leadership and executive-level exposure.
• Opportunity to influence product strategy from concept through commercialization.
• Professional growth and leadership development opportunities.

Why Midland?

Midland provides a strong environment for product development and manufacturing professionals, with access to established industrial operations and a skilled workforce. The region offers opportunities to lead technical innovation, collaborate across engineering and business functions, and contribute to the development of products that support evolving market needs.