VP Product Management and Engineering

The HT Group; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Search is seeking a VP, Product Management & Engineering to own the product strategy and NPI across an 18-brand portfolio. The role includes coordinating with Sales, Marketing, and the CCO to translate market needs into a unified roadmap, and partnering with Engineering to set technical direction for manufacturability and quality.

You will build a team, drive stage-gate processes, and oversee budgets and timelines across brands and sites in Mentor, OH or Detroit, MI, with periodic

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in product management, strategy or NPI/PLM leadership.
• Experience leading product, portfolio, or engineering teams across multiple brands or business units.
• Automotive aftermarket or racing/performance industry experience is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own product strategy and NPI/PLM end-to-end from concept through production launch.
• Centralize and standardize the product catalog, portfolio management, and NPI stage-gate across brands and facilities.
• Translate market and customer requirements into a coordinated product roadmap and engineering specs.
• Provide technical direction and standards with Engineering leadership across sites and brands.
• Lead design reviews, DFM/DFA, APQP, PPAP, FMEA with Engineering and Quality.
• Manage NPI and portfolio timelines, milestones, and budgets across multiple brands.
• Oversee manufacturability and ramp-up with Operations; qualify suppliers with Sourcing.
• Track industry trends and translate them into portfolio opportunities.
• Build and mentor a team across engineering, design, and product management.
• Report pipeline status, portfolio health, and risks to executive leadership.

Skills

NPI/PLM leadership

Portfolio management

Cross-functional collaboration

Product strategy

Change management

Manufacturing processes

APQP/PPAP/FMEA

Quality standards

Leadership

ERP systems

SolidWorks

Creo

GD&T

DFM/DFA

NPI/PLM best practices

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business

MS or MBA preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

ERP systems

Job description

VP, Product Management & Engineering

Confidential Search | Mentor, OH or Detroit, MI (On-Site)

THE ROLE:

This is a newly created, commercially-minded leadership position. The VP will own product strategy, portfolio management, and the New Product Introduction (NPI) process across the full brand portfolio, working closely with Sales, Marketing, and the Chief Commercial Officer to translate market and customer requirements into a coordinated product roadmap. The role also partners with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Sourcing to set technical direction and ensure products are manufacturable and meet performance, durability, and quality standards.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN:

• Product strategy and the NPI/PLM process end-to-end, from concept and feasibility through design, validation, and production launch
• Centralizing and standardizing the product catalog, portfolio management, and NPI stage-gate methodology across brands, facilities, and a fragmented, multi-system environment
• A close partnership with Sales, Marketing, and the Chief Commercial Officer to translate market and customer requirements into a coordinated product roadmap and engineering specifications
• Technical direction and standards in partnership with Engineering leadership across manufacturing sites and brands
• Design reviews, DFM/DFA, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and product validation, partnering with Engineering and Quality to ensure new products meet performance, durability, and quality requirements
• NPI and product portfolio project timelines, milestones, and budgets across multiple brands
• Manufacturability and production ramp-up with Operations, and supplier selection and technical qualification with Sourcing
• Tracking industry trends, competitive products, and emerging technologies and materials, translating them into product and portfolio opportunities
• Building, mentoring, and developing a team across engineering, design, and product management, including goal-setting, coaching, performance reviews, and career planning
• Reporting product and NPI pipeline status, portfolio health, and key risks to executive leadership
• The department's operating budget and capital requests related to product development

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

Experience

15+ years of progressive experience in product management, product strategy, or NPI/PLM leadership within a manufacturing or industrial environment (automotive, powersports, aftermarket parts, or precision manufacturing), including 5+ years leading product, portfolio, or engineering teams and NPI programs across multiple brands or business units. Experience across both large, mature organizations and smaller, less mature ones is strongly preferred. Automotive aftermarket or racing/performance industry experience is a plus but not required.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field. Mechanical engineering background is a plus but not required. An advanced degree (MS or MBA) is preferred.

Technical Skills

Strong working knowledge of NPI/PLM stage-gate methodology and multi-brand product portfolio or catalog management. Familiarity with CAD/PLM systems (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo), GD&T, DFM/DFA, and precision manufacturing processes (forging, casting, machining) is a plus, not required.

Leadership

Proven ability to build structure and process in a fragmented, multi-system environment (multiple ERPs, independent business units). Strong cross-functional influence with sales, marketing, and executive stakeholders. Change-management capability in a transforming, growth-stage organization.

Location & Travel

On-site role based in Mentor, OH or Detroit, MI. Periodic domestic and occasional international travel to company facilities, external manufacturing sites, suppliers, and testing or track locations. Relocation assistance available for the right candidate.

WHY THIS ROLE:

• A rare scope: end-to-end ownership of product strategy and NPI/PLM across an 18-brand portfolio
• A company past its turnaround and now focused on new products, R&D, and growth, not cleanup
• A fun, high-pride culture built around performance and racing products
• Direct influence on a company's next chapter, working alongside its executive leadership