VP Product Management and Engineering

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