Director of Engineering and Strategic Sourcing

Job Description:

Miller Electric, an ITW company, is seeking a visionary and results-driven Director of Engineering & Strategic Sourcing to lead our Welding Accessories & Cutting Division. This executive leadership role combines responsibility for product innovation, engineering excellence, strategic sourcing, and supplier partnerships to drive growth, profitability, and customer value across a diverse portfolio of products.

As a key member of the division leadership team, you will play an instrumental role in shaping business strategy, influencing annual and long-range planning, and translating market opportunities into innovative solutions that strengthen our leadership position in the welding industry. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-performing teams, develop organizational capability, and collaborate across functions to deliver exceptional customer outcomes and business performance.

Onsite role in Appleton, WI

What You'll Lead:

Drive Innovation and Business Growth

• Establish and execute the engineering and sourcing strategy supporting the Accessories, Safety, and Training Solutions portfolio.
• Lead the development and commercialization of innovative products, ensuring alignment with customer needs, market trends, and business objectives.
• Champion a disciplined Customer Back Innovation process from concept through launch, delivering solutions that create meaningful customer value and competitive differentiation.
• Guide product lifecycle strategies in partnership with Product Management to maximize growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Serve as a trusted business partner to Operations, Finance, Marketing, and Product Management in developing and executing the division's strategic roadmap.

Lead Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with the division's growth objectives, product roadmap, and operational requirements.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key domestic and international suppliers, creating long-term partnerships that drive innovation, quality, and cost competitiveness.
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks while diversifying sourcing strategies to support resilience and scalability.
• Drive value engineering initiatives that improve product cost structures while maintaining performance, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Leverage data, analytics, and 80/20 principles to prioritize resources, optimize supplier performance, and accelerate continuous improvement.

Develop Talent and Organizational Capability

• Create an environment that promotes accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Build organizational capability through succession planning, leadership development, and strategic talent management.
• Establish meaningful performance metrics and operating rhythms that drive execution and measurable business results.
• Promote ITW's culture and values of Integrity, Respect, Trust, Simplicity, and Shared Risk throughout the organization.

How to be successful in this role:

• Strategic Leadership – Ability to anticipate market trends, develop long-term strategies, and align resources to achieve business objectives.
• Innovation Mindset – Proven ability to transform customer insights into differentiated products and solutions.
• Executive Influence – Skilled at building alignment across functions and influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Operational and Financial Acumen – Strong understanding of cost management, value engineering, supply chain dynamics, and business performance drivers.
• Talent Development – Passion for building teams, developing future leaders, and creating an engaged, high-performance culture.
• Execution Excellence – Ability to translate strategy into action and consistently deliver results through effective prioritization and project leadership.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, or related discipline), Supply Chain, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in engineering, sourcing, product development, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic business initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing, product development, sourcing, and cost optimization principles.
• Proven experience managing domestic and international supplier relationships and negotiations.
• Ability to travel up to 40%.

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to shape the future of a growing business, influence enterprise-level decisions, and lead teams responsible for innovation, sourcing excellence, and customer value creation. You'll join a collaborative leadership team, work closely with senior executives, and play a significant role in defining the next chapter of growth for one of the industry's most respected brands.

Company Description

Comprised of a market-leading portfolio of best-in-class brands, the businesses of ITW Welding work together to provide premium performance delivered through a breadth of solutions encompassing welding, cutting, consumables, and accessories.  ITW Welding North America represents Miller Electric Welding Equipment, Safety & Accessories, Hobart Filler Metals, and Bernard / Tregaskiss MIG Guns.

Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and wholly owned by Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW). The company maintains its industry leadership by setting the standard for reliability, quality and responsiveness. Our tagline, “The Power of Blue®,” is inspired by the blue color of Miller equipment.

The company began with an innovation that responded to customer needs, growing from a one-man operation in 1929, to the world’s largest manufacturer of arc welding products. Miller keeps the tradition alive by focusing on its top priority: people.

Additional Information

ITW Welding is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why ITW Welding?

Here’s what we offer to help you build the future you want:

• Generous Retirement Benefits – 401(k) match PLUS an additional retirement contribution to help you plan for the future.
• Paid Time Off – 11 paid holidays, 5 sick days, and vacation time to take time for what matters.
• Company-Paid Insurance – Life, AD&D, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability insurance to give you peace of mind.
• Family-Friendly Benefits – 4 weeks of paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement to support your family journey.
• Education Assistance – tuition reimbursement because we believe in investing in your personal and professional development.

 At ITW Welding, we’re not just a place to work – we’re a community that empowers you to grow and make a real impact. Join us and build a career that makes a difference!

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.