Chief Engineer - Innovation

We, at Leggett & Platt Inc., are searching for a Chief Engineer - Innovation within our Automotivebusiness. Did you know we are the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of seating support and comfort systems for OEMs, as well as Tier1 and Tier2 within the automotive industry globally? That’s right! Our automotive products fall into five primary groups: Seating and Lumbar support, Electronics & Software, Motors and Actuators, and Mechanical Cables. If you join our team, your work will ensure people across the world have a little more comfort in their lives.

As Chief Engineer - Innovation, you will have the opportunity to lead highly diversified team that will focus on innovation and product development. In this exciting, highly impactful senior leadership role, you and your team will lead evolution of our automotive business’ current product suite in accordance with and understanding of automotive technology trends. You will work with a highly motivated team of cross functional experts to achieve collective success in positioning the company for long term growth.

So, what will you be doing as a Chief Engineer - Innovation?

• Incorporate the company strategic direction into development teams globally for the product group.
• Integrate engineering efforts with sales and marketing to identify, evaluate, and establish product directions in support of the company strategic business growth and product strategies.
• Focus on innovation through the development “next evolution” of current product mix
• Develop strategic mid and long-term plans by interacting with customers to ideate and develop new products for the future.
• Utilize experience in automotive industry to understand and predict market trends.
• Create career development paths for engineering teams with focus on succession planning.
• Ensure alignment across a global product leadership team.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
• Masters degree is a plus
• 8-10 years direct leadership and product development, hands on experience in the automotive business.
• At least 5 years of experience leading technical teams and strategic management.

• Experience in collaborating across multiple functional areas of a business (Operations, Finance, Sales, Program Management)
• Ability to develop innovation strategy & roadmap and their implementation
• Competency & experience on creative methodology for generating new product ideas
• Strong ability to understand and evaluate technical information received such as specifications, test methods, processes, etc
• Ability to work directly with customers
• Understanding of global markets and experience leading a global team of engineering experts; specifically in China, Germany, and Canada
• Knowledge in connectivity, autonomous driving, electrification

Things we consider a plus

• Tier1 or Tier2 automotive experience
• Progressive roles in innovation and product development
• Passion for the industry demonstrated through research /development/patents

What to Do Next

Now that you’ve had a chance to learn more about us, what are you waiting for! Apply today and allow us the opportunity to learn more about you and the value you can bring to our team. Once you apply, be sure to create a profile, and sign up for job alerts, so you can be the first to know when new opportunities become available. If you require assistance completing an application, please contact our team at careers@leggett.com

Our Values

Our values speak to our shared beliefs, and describe how we approach working together.

• Put People First reflects our commitment to safety and care of each other, learning and development, and creating an inclusive environment of mutual respect, empathy and belonging.
• Do the Right Thing focuses us on acting with honesty and integrity, delivering the results the right way, taking pride in our work, and speaking the truth – good or bad.
• Do Great Work…Together occurs when we engage without hierarchy, collaborate as a team, embrace challenges, and work for the good of all of us.
• Take Ownership and Raise the Bar demonstrates our responsibility to add value and make a difference, challenge the status quo and biases to make things better, foster innovative and creative solutions to drive impact, and explore new perspectives and embrace change.

Our Commitment to You

We’re actively taking steps to make sure our culture is inclusive and that our processes and practices promote equity for all. Leggett & Platt is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veteran status, and more. Join us!

We welcome and encourage applications if you meet the minimum qualifications. Even if you do not meet the preferred qualifications, we’d love the opportunity to consider you.

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