Global Product Development Director

Overview

BW Converting Solutions is a strategic alliance of resources and services that bring together several Barry-Wehmiller companies — Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), Winkler + Dünnebier (W+D), STAX Technologies, Hudson-Sharp, Baldwin Technologies and Northern Engraving and Machine. These industry leaders offer trusted brands and innovative technologies in the design, manufacture, and service of high-performance converting and packaging machinery for the tissue, nonwovens, hygiene, bag-converting, mailing, and printing industries.

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become 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.

The Global New Product Development Director will drive enterprise-wide product innovation and commercialization strategy. This high-impact role orchestrates cross-functional development initiatives across our global engineering organization, managing complex programs from concept to market launch using stage-gate methodologies. This matrixed position provides indirect oversight of 50+ Mechanical, Electrical, and Software Engineers while directly managing Engineering Project Leaders and Program Managers. The successful candidate will translate research breakthroughs into commercially successful products that define the future of industrial automation.

• Lead enterprise-wide product development strategy and stage-gate processes from Discovery through Launch
• Partner with the senior leadership team, Engineering Leadership and the Head of Research to translate breakthrough technologies into viable product concepts
• Collaborate with business leaders to prioritize development investments and resource allocation
• Develop product development metrics and KPIs to track portfolio performance
• Provide matrix leadership across 50+ engineers in Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Software disciplines
• Directly manage 6-8 Engineering Project Leaders and Engineers
• Facilitate collaboration between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and product management
• Ensure integration of mechanical systems, embedded controls, software platforms, and automation technologies
• Manage a balanced portfolio of development projects across business units and technology platforms
• Lead gate review processes, business case development, and go/no-go decision frameworks
• Establish product development standards, processes, and best practices across global teams
• Drive continuous improvement in development cycle times and commercial success rates
• Ensure technical excellence across mechanical design, electrical systems, and software platforms
• Lead integration of advanced technologies including AI/ML, IoT, vision systems, and smart automation
• Drive platform strategies for controls and connectivity to maximize reuse and scalability
• Oversee intellectual property development and ensure regulatory compliance
• Build high-performing product development teams across multiple geographies
• Implement talent development and succession planning strategies for engineering leaders
• Establish global coordination processes to optimize team utilization and project efficiency
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related);
  Master’s or MBA preferred
• 12+ years of product development experience in capital equipment or industrial automation
• 7+ years leading complex, multi-disciplinary engineering programs and teams
• Proven track record of successful product launches and commercialization

• Product Development Expertise:
  Deep expertise in stage-gate product development methodologies and gate review processes
• Strong understanding of precision mechanical systems, industrial automation, and manufacturing technologies
• Experience with embedded systems,…