If you have automotive new product development experience, project management skills and strong self-motivation, this position offers you some very compelling opportunities. You will:

• Join a leader in the growing alternative fuel market for commercial vehicles, and play an important role in the development of new electric last-mile delivery vehicles Quick question for you - click here
• Grow your skills in emerging technologies and solutions in a company committed to innovation and continuous improvement
• Showcase your potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance in a fast-growing new field
• Join at an exciting time -- we have a number of strategic initiatives underway, including ramping up production of innovative new vehicles, upgrading facilities and more

Utilimaster moves ahead of the competition when commercial trucks and upfit services require precision, planning, peerless people, and the perfect vehicle. Our vehicles deliver for well-respected global brands in the package delivery, ecommerce, food and beverage, linen and laundry, grocery and pharmaceutical markets. Utilimaster is a top-tier go-to-market brand of The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF), North America's leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. The Shyft Group rebranded in 2020 to reflect a new focus on high-growth end markets to help ensure long-term profitable growth.

Pictured: Utilimaster is a market leader in emissions-free fleet vehicle manufacturing. Through our Work-Driven Design process, our engineers have designed and integrated truck bodies and walk-in vans on electric-powered chassis for some of the largest and most recognizable fleet operations in the world.

To meet the basic qualification for this role, you will have experience with automotive-related new product development or new product introduction (NPD or NPI). In addition, to be a good fit for the New Product Development Sourcing Engineer opportunity, you will have:

• Experience with product development phases from idea, concept, design, testing, validation and launch, including utilizing automotive quality standards ISO/TS 16949 or IATF 16949 (PPAP, APQP, PFMEA, etc.) Quick question for you - click here
• Experience with chassis frame, suspension, drivetrain, wheels, tires, brakes, ABS, EV powertrain, EV component inverters, chargers, electronics, HVAC systems, and lighting, as well as composite and aluminum suppliers
• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Materials Management, Finance, Engineering, or Operations
• 5+ years of experience in electrical related commodity management, such as electronics, composites, whole assemblies or other automotive or specialty vehicle-related commodities
• Familiarity or experience with 5S, Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing techniques
• Experience with ISO/9001 or TS/16949 certifications or automotive-related terms and manufacturing processes
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, with the ability to extract conclusions from available data and "tell a story"
• Demonstrated project management skills
• A demonstrated ability to perform cost analysis
• Proven negotiation skills and strong and consistent attention to detail
• Intermediate computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Just as important will be the following competencies and characteristics:

• Self-motivation and the ability to stay on task
• Versatility, flexibility and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities
• A creative, innovative mindset
• A team player approach
• Demonstrated proficiency in team and individual development
• In-depth leadership and sound decision-making skills
• The ability to:
  • Effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
  • Deal effectively with a variety of individuals at all organizational levels
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Solid organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Willingness to improve yourself, your functional area and the company, including pursuing additional training, if needed

Preferred but not required:

• Experience in Electronic Vehicle Development, specialty vehicle manufacturing (truck, bus, agriculture, construction, etc.)
• Experience sourcing products overseas (globally)
• The ability to speak and/or read multiple languages
• Certified Commodity Manager (CPM)

You also will need to be willing and able to:

• Maintain a flexible and extended work schedule as needed to accomplish objectives
• Travel as needed, including internationally

Reporting to the Corporate Director, Procurement and Supply Chain, you will join a team of six supporting Utilimaster. You will be dedicated to new product development programs from the idea, concept and design phase, testing validation and launch. This will include being responsible for identifying, selecting sources and managing supply requirements for chassis frame, suspension, drivetrain, wheels, tires, brakes, ABS, EV powertrain, EV component inverters, chargers, electronics, HVAC systems, and lighting, as well as composite and aluminum suppliers. Quick question for you - click here

You'll work with Engineering on New Product Introductions (NPI) and the Sourcing team to qualify and validate suppliers as well as securing capacity for new EV products. This position requires the constant drive for research in the areas of Electronic Vehicles (EV), new battery technologies, lighter composite materials and strategic EV component producers around the world.

You'll be responsible for improvement in all areas of supplier management, material planning and risk mitigation for specific commodities and compliance of documented policies and procedures, including PPAP, APQP and PFMEA. You'll work collaboratively across all functions, including operations, product quality, sales, engineering, finance, logistics and others, while targeting annual cost reductions and supply chain key performance metrics as defined by the Director of Purchasing.

Key job responsibilities will include:

• Focusing on the design, development and production of EV vehicles for our Fleet Vehicle Services (FVS) division
• Traveling to meet, qualify and validate EV component suppliers around the world as needed
• Working closely with FVS’ management team to achieve EV product development timeline while staying under budget
• Creating and maintaining a database of EV component suppliers around the globe and sharing internally with other team members
• Leading negotiations of competitive cost for EV components while signing long term agreements with strategic EV suppliers
• Using market analysis to understand global influences to the supply base and create strategies to leverage these dynamics for the benefit of the Company
• Sourcing EV components and/or assemblies from Europe, Latin America, China, Taiwan, South Korea, etc.

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Move the needle
We have EV programs in place, but we believe a dedicated Sourcing Engineer can take processes and approaches to new levels. You'll influence short-term decisions and help shape future NPD processes.

Stability and growth
The Shyft Group is financially sound and will continue to be an aggressive market disrupter through strategic acquisitions, relevant product innovations, and aggressive growth models that serve strong and growing end markets. Be assured, our accelerated growth trajectory will create opportunities for strong performers.

Focused transformation
Utilimaster, alongside The Shyft Group's family of well-respected brands, continues to lead in every segment in which they compete. The Shyft name represents speed, efficiency, agility, and a high-intensity approach, which corresponds with the company's pivot in market focus and the forward momentum garnered in the work truck, specialty service, and delivery vehicle markets.

Driven to deliver
Ever evolving and advancing, The Shyft Group is driven to make an impactful difference in how effectively goods, people, and services are delivered in today's and tomorrow's marketplace. Through our unmatched industry knowledge, engineering expertise, and manufacturing reach, we continue to deliver job-enhancing, efficiency-driving, ever-reliable products and services made for the road ahead.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary and bonus, we offer medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance plans; a health savings account; a flexible savings account; wellness credits; a wellness program; a 401(k) plan with a corporate match; an employee stock purchase program and more.

We understand that there will be a learning curve, and we'll provide training and support as you get up to speed on our industry, products and culture. At the same time, we'll look to you to leverage your knowledge and experience to start making an impact in a reasonable time frame. In our fast-paced environment, you will need to be versatile and flexible, and able to pivot quickly to manage constantly changing priorities effectively. Against this backdrop, you will need to maintain a commitment to excellence and uphold high standards.

If you are the professional we're looking for, you have "fire in the belly" when it comes to driving improvements. You take ownership of your big-picture goals and you don't need step-by-step direction. Instead, you see what needs to be done, develop a plan to accomplish it, and present the plan to your manager for approval. You have the confidence and leadership skills to rally the necessary people and resources and make things happen.

Part of your role will involve driving change, so you will need to influence people and help them get on board with improvements. On the whole, you should use a collaborative and motivating approach, but at times you will need to be assertive. In addition, in order to be an outstanding NPD Sourcing Engineer, you will:

• Combine analytical skills with creativity in solving problems and conflicts
• Bring a strong sense of urgency, but also take the time necessary to ensure high-quality results
• Keep a constant eye out for opportunities to improve processes and cut costs
• Remain open to learning on an ongoing basis