Lead Engineer, Product Development

Company

: Woodbridge

Legal Entity: Woodbridge Foam Corporation

Requisition ID: 4095

Pay Range: $94,300 - $132,000

About Woodbridge

We are innovators using advanced technology to manufacture next generation products. We are pioneers in foam technology science and provide our products to customers in multiple industries. We are a global team of over 7,000 teammates strong who are laser focused on quality, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability. We are proud to give back to the communities in which we live and work through our Woodbridge Cares programs that serves communities around the world through volunteerism and philanthropy. We are a people centric organization that has been awarded numerous recognitions for our commitment to manufacturing excellence and innovation. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of foam technology.

Woodbridge Culture

Woodbridge takes immense pride in its robust corporate (think people first, innovation, lets get to it, manufacturing focused) culture, which serves our customers, Teammates, and the world. We're thrilled to share that in 2024, Woodbridge has been awarded Deloitte’s Best Managed designation for eight consecutive years. This accolade is not just an award; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, inspiring you to be a part of our journey!

What's in it for you?

• Competitive Compensation & Benefits Plan
• Defined Contribution Plan with additional company match – Automatic company contribution to a top quartile retirement savings plan with more incentives to match
• Flexible Working Hours
• Employee Assistance Program with free access to health and wellness coaches
• Continuous Learning Culture – We believe in Upskilling & Internal Promotions!

Role Purpose:

Lead product development activities and projects that translate market needs, customer requirements, and business strategy into commercially viable new or improved products and processes. The key desired impact is to accelerate innovation, strengthen technical capability, and support profitable growth by delivering robust product solutions from concept to launch. Key deliverables include development plans, technical evaluations, trial execution, documentation, cross-functional project leadership, and clear recommendations that support business decisions. The role requires close collaboration with customers, suppliers, and internal groups including Commercial, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Purchasing, Finance, HSE, and senior leadership to align priorities, communicate progress, manage risks, and ensure successful execution.

This position is based in Woodbridge, Ontario, and requires regular collaboration with onsite teams and cross-functional stakeholders to support product development initiatives and business objectives.

Major Responsibilities and Activities:

• Lead new product development projects from opportunity identification through scoping, development, validation, launch readiness, and roll-out
• Translate customer, market, regulatory, and business requirements into clear product requirements, development plans, technical workstreams, and measurable success criteria.
• Provide internal and external technical leadership for product and process development activities, including feasibility assessments, prototype builds, trial planning, test plans, data analysis, and design recommendations.
• Develop and maintain project plans, Stage-Gate deliverables, milestones, budgets, risk registers, and decision-ready summaries to support timely business and leadership approvals.
• Coordinate internal cross-functional execution, and external collaboration with suppliers, customers, and partners to align priorities, resolve barriers, and advance projects toward commercialization.
• Lead or support process development activities, including equipment scoping, supplier selection, manufacturing assessments, material handling concepts, production trials, and implementation readiness reviews.
• Build the technical basis for commercial decisions by supporting cost model development, building design-for-cost and design-for-manufacturing inputs, technical reports, business case assumptions, and recommendations for next steps.
• Communicate project status, risks, learnings, technical results, and resource needs clearly to senior leadership, business sponsors, product directors, customers, suppliers, and internal project teams.
• Collaborate with and support Technology & Innovation teammates by coordinating project activities, reviewing technical outputs, sharing knowledge, building capability, and fostering accountability for results.
• Demonstrate ownership for safe, disciplined, on-time, and on-budget execution while delivering practical product and process solutions that create measurable value for the company.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Material, or Manufacturing), Chemistry, or a related technical field.
• Advanced degree such as a Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related discipline is not mandatory but may be considered an asset.
• Professional designation or certification is not mandatory but may be considered an asset, including P.Eng., PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or other relevant technical/professional credentials
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in product/process development, research and development, materials/process engineering, manufacturing, or a related technical environment, including experience leading complex technical projects.
• Experience working in manufacturing environments is preferred
• Experience in highly collaborative, cross-functional roles is ideal, including work with customers, suppliers, external technical partners, and internal departments such as Operations, Quality, Purchasing, Commercial, Finance, and HSE.
• Experience in products such as polymers (including polyurethane foams), composites, adhesives, coatings, laminations, insulation, building, chemical processing, and/or other engineered materials is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in markets such as automotive, recreational vehicles, medical, hygiene, building, and industrial is desirable.
• Experience reviewing patents and related intellectual property information is preferred.
• Additional assets include people leadership, project or program management, stage-gate development processes, capital project support, supplier development, regulatory or standards compliance, cost modelling, and customer-facing technical support experience.
• Comfortable exploring technical areas new to Woodbridge, navigating ambiguity, and developing plans to identify, assess, and mitigate risk.
• Strong ability to interpret technical standards, customer requirements, test results, regulatory expectations, and certification requirements relevant to building products or engineered materials.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

Additional Qualifications:

• Comfortable exploring technical areas new to Woodbridge, navigating ambiguity, and developing plans to identify, assess, and mitigate risk.
• Strong ability to interpret technical standards, customer requirements, test results, regulatory expectations, and certification requirements relevant to building products or engineered materials.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

Woodbridge is committed to fostering a diverse workplace. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider applicants without regard to race, colour, ancestry, creed, place of origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know, and we will do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.