JOB PURPOSE:
To provide managerial direction to a division or department with responsibility for multiple technologies, multiple functions or disciplines, an entire product line or process, or both process and product development and integration.
JOB RELATED STATISTICS:
Total Operating Expenses: $15 Million to $50 Million +
Personnel: 100 to 200+ employees
JOB DUTIES:
Reporting to this position are various levels of managers, team leaders, engineers and support personnel.
The major focus of this position is strategic and may be one of sponsor for creativity in key process development and change, as well as accomplishing results through others from multiple organizations and functions.
This position usually has other managers reporting to it. The incumbent must be a visionary leader and integrator and is typically responsible for multiple technologies, multiple functions or disciplines, an entire product line or process, or both process and product development and integration. Incumbent is ultimately responsible for orchestrating the movement of people within their organization and beyond to maximize their development and that of the larger Caterpillar organization. Key responsibilities include tracking and monitoring the organization’s business plan, reviewing and monitoring first level project milestones and budgets, owning processes, guiding the definition of work processes, facilitating the acquisition of tools, physical resources, and intellectual capital, building teams, conducting technical reviews and overseeing departmental budget roll-up. Also has a major role in interfacing with internal and external customers, gathering and responding to customer feedback and guiding the organization’s focus towards meeting customers’ technology, product, service and business needs.
The products and services provided vary from product concepts to products and processes, intellectual property, plans and resources. Decisions made by incumbent will affect total product lines, major company processes and multiple technologies. Decisions will impact public perception of Caterpillar, the technology it uses and its applications, warranty, company strategy and partnerships with universities, research organizations and other external groups.
While the culture of specific business units and service units vary, this position faces ongoing change – increased competitive pressures, increasing product complexity and ever increasing customer demands. Significant challenges from managing new technology, managing the leadership in the organization, sourcing technical people, replacing expertise and growing technical experts can be expected. Position requires ever increasing skills in visioning, strategic planning and coaching and leading people as well as ability to integrate major operations, technologies, products and diverse strategies. This role requires that the incumbent increases understanding of the business, the business aspects of technology and the customers’ business and needs. Incumbents will be dealing with a global market place both in terms of customers and in terms of sourcing suppliers, production and talent.
This position reports directly to the Managing Director of Caterpillar China R&D Centers (CRDC). Specifically, this job at CRDC needs to manage: 1) the engine department with teams on engine build, testing and validation, performance and emission development, and engine certifications; 2) the machine integration department on component, system, and machine integration, machine build and teardown, competitive studies, serviceability studies, pre-build and pilot build, quality audit, and manufacturing support; 3) the detailing, checking, and releasing department, supporting all component, system, and machine design teams at CRDC; 4) the virtual product and process development (VPPD) department with focus on analysis and simulations, virtual manufacturing engineering (VME), and Virtual Reality Lab (VRL). The incumbent also needs to support other engineering teams on materials technology, machine design, electronics, hydraulics, transmission, lower powertrain, under carriage, work tolls, and supplier development, machine validation, as well as multiple machine product groups.
BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
This position requires an accredited Engineering degree or a closely related technical degree with at least 15 years of experience. An advanced degree is highly desired. In lieu of an accredited Engineering or Technical degree, this level of a position will generally require at least 18 years of progressively responsible, directly related experience. Previous team leadership experience is necessary and advanced program management skills are critical. Must have excellent communication and organization skills and be able to deal with sensitive issues, mentor and coach and/or persuade others on new technologies, new applications, or potential solutions. Specifically, this position at CRDC requires both fluent English and Chinese language skills. Prior job experience in leadership roles in R&D and Engineerin