Product Development Lead, Concrete Accessories

About Us:

Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, USA, Afinitas is the global market leader for pipe and precast concrete equipment, forming systems and concrete accessories used to build the world’s critical transportation, water and utility infrastructure systems. Afinitas is known for the innovative technologies and services it provides through its trusted HawkeyePedershaab, BFS, New Hampton Metal Fab and other well-known brands, which customers have relied upon for decades. Afinitas is a part of BW Forsyth Partners, LLC, the investment arm of Barry-Wehmiller, a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

Job Description:

Please note that this role typically involves travel, with a travel percentage ranging from 50-75%.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the end-to-end development of new Concrete Accessory products, from concept development through commercialization.

Market Research

• Visit and work with customers to understand their needs and jointly develop solutions
• Work closely with sales to gather and analyze customer feedback and identify industry trends
• Identify new markets, portfolio gaps, customer needs, and competitive opportunities
• Conduct competitive analyses to inform product positioning and differentiation

Product Strategy

• Align product development efforts with business growth initiatives
• Partner with leadership to
  • develop product value propositions
  • develop and execute intellectual property strategies
  • provide input on pricing strategies
• Develop and execute product roadmaps for significant new products
• Support marketing efforts in product branding, positioning, and go-to-market strategies

Opportunity Assessment and Solution Development

• Develop and refine product concepts working independently, across the organization and with outside resources
• Build and lead cross-functional project teams to drive execution of product initiatives as needed
• Manage feasibility studies, prototyping, testing, and validation for new product concepts
• Oversee cost analysis and materials selection to optimize product value
• Ensure new products meet industry standards
• Work with Technical Resource Engineers to determine regulatory approval requirements
• Partner with operations and supply chain teams to
  • determine make vs. buy
  • ensure scalability and manufacturability
• Propose new products based on potential return

Drive Product Adoption

• Serve as a technical liaison between internal teams and external customers
• Support technical resource engineers working closely with specifiers, DOTs, municipalities, and industry partners to gain necessary product approvals

Establish and Improve the Product Development Process

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and improve the process
• Drive continuous improvement to accelerate time-to-market
• Foster a culture of innovation and problem-solving across the organization

Product Improvement

• Work closely with sales teams to ensure new products meet customer needs and market expectations
• Support ongoing product testing, materials research, as well as quality and process improvements
• Collaborate with engineering teams to design, test, and refine product innovations
• Identify opportunities for alternate materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and new technologies

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Product Development, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred)
• 5+ years of experience in new product development, engineering, or technical product management
• Proven track record of developing and launching new products in the construction or concrete industry
• Strong technical background in materials science, product engineering, or manufacturing processes
• Experience working with industry standards, certifications, and regulatory approvals
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work across departments and with external stakeholders
• Proficiency in CAD software, ERP systems, and project management tools
• Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies is a plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works in a plant/manufacturing environment that involves the use of industrial machinery and chemicals. Employees must be able to correctly wear and use any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required at the location.

Compensation:

The approximate pay range for this position is $96,000 – $120,000 annually. Please note that the pay range is a good faith estimate at the time of posting and may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and geographic location. Our complete benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; 401k plan with company match…all starting on day one!

At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

Company:

Afinitas

Originally posted on Himalayas