Innovation Engineering Manager

Magid; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life and other

Bonus plan

401k with company match

Profit sharing

PTO and paid holidays

Job summary

Magid is seeking a senior product development leader to drive apparel and accessory innovation from concept through launch. You will own the product development lifecycle, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with Marketing, Product Strategy, and Sales to grow Magid’s product platforms.

You will mentor team members, lead cross-functional partnerships, and ensure quality, cost, and schedule targets are met while supporting sustainability in new product creation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in product development and design.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Detail-oriented and organized with the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Domestic and international travel required.

Responsibilities

• Drive R&D for Apparel and Accessory category by supporting inline projects and targeted initiatives.
• Collaborate with Legal and Consultants to develop IP.
• Leverage manufacturing to develop new materials and products.
• Lead market research on raw materials and fabrics for Magid.
• Develop proprietary fabrics and products enabling IP opportunities.
• Guide cross-functional teams and ensure on-time delivery of projects.
• Manage special apparel projects from initiation to completion and grow sales.

Skills

Supplier management

Problem solving

Multitasking

Mentoring

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

What Matters at Magid? YOU do!

Brief Description

What Matters at Magid? YOU do! "The number one key to growth is having good people and that’s what has driven us at every stage of the game." - Greg Cohen, CEO At Magid, we’re not just passionate about safety—we’re passionate about people. As an industry leader, we’ve built an innovative and collaborative environment where diversity is celebrated, ideas are valued, and personal and professional growth never stops.

Essential Responsibilities

• Drive the Research and Development efforts for the Apparel and Accessory category through (1) supporting In-line projects, (2) driving Targeted innovation projects, and (3) managing the Blue-Sky Innovation road to annually meet or exceed targets established by the company. Success would be demonstrated through increased speed from concept to commercialization.
• Support the development of Intellectual Property of the company through collaboration with Legal Attorney’s and Consultants.
• Leverage Magid’s manufacturing capabilities to develop new material technologies and product concepts. Success would be measured in an increase in annual development capacity.
• Utilize industry trends and innovations in new product development by driving innovation through research and partnerships in fiber technology, textile engineering, and chemistry
• Develop proprietary fabrics, materials, and products – particularly which allow intellectual property or exclusivity opportunities and enables the expansion and launch of Magid product platforms. Success would be measured through resolving technical limitations hindering the launch of such products.
• Research polymer, fiber, yarn, engineering solutions, finishing processes, performance, and sustainable chemistry that may enhance existing apparel and accessory products.
• Lead the engineering efforts to build high-quality products and establish standards and specifications for Magid products (i.e. Raw Materials, Performance Claims).
• Work with material vendors, product vendors and consultants to understand their capabilities and constraints and translate this information into new product concepts.
• Research new equipment, tools, and processes utilized to execute product designs. Success would be measured by cost savings/value engineering delivered.
• Support execution of the Apparel Innovation Road Map, including In-Line, Targeted, and Blue-Sky innovation initiatives.
• In partnership with Product Development and Product Strategy teams:
• Conduct Market Research to identify new raw materials and fabrics which relate to the Magid brand and fit within the competitive landscape.
• Attend textile shows, presentations and plan visits with suppliers worldwide to ensure the best-in-class innovation portfolios.
• Travel to customers, study specific safety issues and develop custom solutions
• Demonstrate a high level of influence and cross-functional partnership with Product Management, Sales, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Quality.
• The ability to lead negotiations with suppliers to ensure best quality, service, and cost to achieve business objectives. Success will be measured by supplier capability and or capacity expansion.
• Partner with Marketing on the development of go-to-market plan for their given products.
• Mentor and guide other team members, providing technical and strategic expertise.
• Manage special apparel and accessory projects from initiation to completion, ensuring objectives are met on time, within scope, and aligned with the goals for the business. Success will be measured through an increase in product sales for the A&A category.
• Lead the entire product development lifecycle for apparel and accessory products including the sourcing, new product development, quality assurance, sales support and growth of assigned products.
• Support the sustainability strategy for new product creation with the full Product Life Cycle in mind.

Required Skills

• Proven experience effectively managing supplier relationships, reducing costs, controlling inventory, and standardizing supply chain policies and procedures.
• Excellent problem-solving skills when determining how to best solve market challenges
• Ability to solve problems and multi-task in fast paced dynamic environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications in the Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to effectively mentor and lead team members
• Ability to identify and discuss both the big picture as well as necessary details to bring ideas to fruition
• Experience effectively influencing stakeholders and driving resolutions
• Ability to communicate vision to senior leadership
• Persuasive written and verbal communications skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications in the Microsoft Office Suite

Experience/Education Required/Sought

• 10+ years’ experience in product development and design
• Excellent Communication and Presentation skills.
• Detail-oriented and organized with the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines
• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering discipline.
• High level of knowledge in fabric, apparel, and accessory manufacturing.
• Domestic and International travel required.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements/PPE

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• 10% to 20% of domestic and international travel is required.

Magid offers a variety of benefits to our team members including

• Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• Bonus plan
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Company provided Profit Sharing
• Participation in Magid Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• 9 Paid Holidays

Requirements

Magid Glove & Safety is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and importer of hand protection and safety products, e.g,.work gloves, fall protection, reusable and disposable respirators. We are an innovative, growing, and privately held business, that has been delivering safety solutions to thousands of companies since 1946.

Magid is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

The salary range for this position is $112,500 to $152,500 annually. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training, geographic location, additional qualifications such as licensure or certifications, market factors, and responsibilities.

Summary

What Matters at Magid? YOU do! "The number one key to growth is having good people and that’s what has driven us at every stage of the game." - Greg Cohen, CEO At Magid, we’re not just passionate about safety—we’re passionate about people. As an industry leader, we’ve built an innovative and collaborative environment where diversity is celebrated, ideas are valued, and personal and professional growth never stops.

• Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training, geographic location, additional qualifications such as licensure or certifications, market factors, and responsibilities.

Magid offers a variety of benefits to our team members including

• Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• Bonus plan
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Company provided Profit Sharing
• Participation in Magid Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• 9 Paid Holidays

Magid Glove & Safety is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and importer of hand protection and safety products, e.g,.work gloves, fall protection, reusable and disposable respirators. We are an innovative, growing, and privately held business, that has been delivering safety solutions to thousands of companies since 1946.

Magid is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.