Dart

Engineering Strategy & Portfolio Leader

Dart$110K — $130K *
Mason, MI 48854In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, operations, finance, supply chain, or related field; engineering degree strongly preferred.
  • 6+ years of progressive experience in engineering, manufacturing strategy, or related domains.
  • Proven track record in developing multi-site strategies and initiative portfolios.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing economics and capital investment processes.
  • Advanced analytical and communication skills, including executive-level presentation capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Lead development and execution of Engineering strategy and roadmaps aligned with business goals.
  • Partner with multiple teams to align strategic priorities and investments.
  • Manage portfolio of strategic initiatives, including prioritization and performance tracking.
  • Drive governance processes for accountability and effective decision-making.
  • Develop capital investment plans that promote growth and operational excellence.
  • Analyze market trends and technologies for strategic decision-making.
  • Prepare executive-level business cases and facilitate cross-functional alignment.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule combining on-site and remote work.
  • Travel opportunities, up to 25%, primarily domestic.
  • Engagement with diverse teams across finance, engineering, and operations.
  • Participation in strategic decision-making processes.
  • Exposure to various business segments and external partners.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a forward-thinking professional to own the strategy-to-portfolio operating system that converts corporate priorities into integrated roadmaps, funded initiatives, clear accountabilities, disciplined decisions, and measurable Engineering-enabled business results.

This is not a project management role. Rather than managing day-to-day project execution, you will help shape where the Engineering organization is headed over the next years. You will translate business and customer needs into actionable strategic initiatives, challenge conventional thinking, and elevate how leaders plan for the future.

Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Finance, Commercial, and Business Unit leaders, you will research, evaluate options, and help facilitate strategic decisions. While you will not own the business strategy itself, you will play a critical role in co-developing strategies with business partners, ensuring they are converted into practical roadmaps, prioritized investments, and measurable outcomes.

What You'll Do...
  • Lead the development and execution of Engineering strategy, roadmaps, and long-term capability plans aligned with business objectives.
  • Partner with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Commercial teams to align priorities, investments, and organizational goals.
  • Manage a portfolio of strategic initiatives, including prioritization, resource planning, risk management, and performance tracking.
  • Drive governance processes that ensure clear accountability, effective decision-making, and successful strategy execution.
  • Develop and prioritize capital investment plans that support growth, operational excellence, and long-term business needs.
  • Analyze market trends, technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and business opportunities to support strategic decision-making.
  • Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and external partners to advance innovation and strengthen Engineering capabilities.
  • Prepare executive-level business cases, roadmaps, and recommendations while facilitating cross-functional alignment and change management.
  • Up to 25% travel, primarily domestic, with international travel possible.


The Ideal Competencies...

  • Strategic Thinking and Enterprise Perspective
  • Portfolio and Investment Decision Making
  • Business and Financial Acumen
  • Systems Thinking and Integration
  • Influence Without Direct Authority
  • Executive Communication
  • Facilitation and Conflict Resolution
  • Analytical Rigor and Sound Judgment
  • Personal Accountability and Follow-Through
  • Collaboration, Trust, and Reliability
  • Continuous Improvement and Learning Agility
  • Organizational Change Leadership


What You'll Bring...
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, operations, finance, supply chain, or a related field; engineering degree strongly preferred.
  • Progressive experience in engineering, manufacturing strategy, portfolio management, transformation, product strategy, operations, capital planning, or management consulting. Six (6+) or more of progressive strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and deploying enterprise, multi-site, or multi-function strategies and converting them into funded roadmaps and initiative portfolios.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional work and influence senior leaders without direct authority.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing economics, engineering processes, technology lifecycles, product commercialization, supply chains, capacity planning, and capital investment.
  • Experience developing business cases, financial models, capital-budgeting analyses, net present value, return on investment, scenario analyses, and benefits-realization methods.
  • Experience establishing governance, decision rights, performance scorecards, portfolio reviews, and escalation processes in a matrixed organization.
  • Ability to synthesize substantial amounts of complex technical, operational, commercial, and financial information into clear conclusions and actionable recommendations.
  • Advanced written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and facilitation skills, including executive-level communication.
  • Advanced analytical and quantitative skills; proficiency with Excel-based modeling, portfolio analysis, dashboards, and presentation tools.
  • Experience in manufacturing and/or consumer packaged goods is strongly, preferred.
  • Experience in a multi-site or international environment, preferred.
  • Experience working directly in Engineering, Operations, Product Development, Supply Chain, Capital Delivery, or a closely related technical function, preferred.
  • Working knowledge of operational excellence, Lean principles, continuous improvement, risk management, and change leadership, preferred.
  • Master of Business Administration, engineering management degree, or equivalent advanced strategic experience, preferred.


Role Structure & Travel...
  • Location: Corporate office in Mason, MI
    • Work week is a hybrid schedule
  • Up to 25% travel, primarily domestic, with international travel possible.
    • Regular on-site engagement at our production locations


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About Dart

Dart is a transportation company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The company provides transportation services to clients in various industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Dart operates a fleet of over 1,500 trucks and employs over 2,000 people. The company was founded in 1934 and has a long history of providing transportation services to clients in the United States and internationally.
Learn more about Dart
Size
9,051 employees
Industry
NASDAQ

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