R&D Manager - Wibe Group

Wibe Group is an international industrial organization with approximately 400 employees and operations across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, India and Malaysia. We develops smart, cost-effective industrial product solutions with a focus on modularity, quality, sustainability and ease of installation.

Wibe Group

is looking for

R&D MANAGER

The company is now strengthening its R&D function in Mora and is looking for a senior leader who can create structure, build common ways of working and turn strategy into execution.

Why join Wibe Group?

This is an opportunity to lead an experienced, international engineering team and shape how product development is managed across the organization. You will combine leadership with hands-on project responsibility, establish clear priorities and ensure that R&D efforts support the product strategy and category roadmaps.

The role offers a broad mandate and close collaboration with Category Management, Brand, PDM, Operations, Sales and PMO. You will have the opportunity to simplify processes, improve delivery performance and create lasting structure in a function with strong technical competence.

What we offer

• Lead, coach and develop a team of four engineers focused primarily on mechanical design and engineering in Mora
• Develop, align and execute a 3-5-year technical roadmap in line with the product strategy
• Drive innovation, standardization, modularization, continuous improvement and cost optimization across our product portfolio
• Lead your own development projects while supporting and directing the work of the engineering team
• Create clear processes, priorities and common ways of working within the R&D function
• Influence budget planning, competence development, resource allocation and future recruitment
• Work in a cross-functional and international industrial environment, collaborating closely with production, sourcing and other key stakeholders

About the role

As R&D Manager, you are responsible for turning identified market and product opportunities into relevant, robust and cost-effective technical solutions. You will lead the R&D team, set direction and ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget and in line with required functionality, quality, sustainability and compliance standards.

A key part of the assignment is to create structure and discipline in the development process. You will clarify project scope, establish common ways of working, simplify processes and help the team focus on doing the right things. The role is both strategic and operational and includes responsibility for selected development projects.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Owning the technical roadmap, platform strategy and product roadmap
• Leading product and system development, including key modules and interfaces
• Ensuring documentation, validation, testing and certification compliance
• Managing the R&D budget, external consultants and resource allocation
• Recruiting, coaching and developing engineers and supporting succession planning
• Improving time-to-market, cost efficiency, processes and tools
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders and certification bodies
• Identifying and escalating technical, safety and strategic risks

The role is based in Mora and reports within Product & Marketing. Limited travel may occur.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a senior and pragmatic leader with solid experience in product development in an industrial or heavy engineering environment. You understand how structured processes create business value and have the authority and judgement to set priorities, make decisions and address difficult issues when needed.

We believe you have:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Product Design or a related field
• Extensive experience in industrial product development, preferably in environments close to manufacturing
• Proven leadership experience and the ability to assess, coach and develop technical competence
• Experience of working with clearly defined project scopes and market requirements
• Knowledge of NPI/NPD, mechanical product design and DfX principles
• Experience of risk management, validation planning, FMEA, cost engineering or value engineering
• Experience of PLM and engineering systems; Windchill and CREO are relevant examples
• An understanding of Six Sigma, Lean or other structured continuous-improvement methods
• Experience of international or matrix organizations
• Good English communication skills

Experience of offshore applications, high-specification industrial standards, IEC or ISO requirements is an advantage.

As a person, you are structured, present and decisive. You build trust across cultures, create clarity and psychological safety, and are comfortable holding difficult conversations. You combine a strategic perspective with a strong ability to implement, follow through and deliver measurable improvements.

Employment

This is a full-time permanent position based in Mora. The role requires a high level of on-site presence. Starting date is agreed with the successful candidate.

How we recruit

Wibe Group is partnering with Hansson & Partners in this recruitment. Please submit your application via Hansson & Partners no later than 1 November.

The selection process is based on your previous experience and personal capabilities, including personality profiling and logical reasoning. We use a competency-based approach to support an objective and non-discriminatory recruitment process. The process may include work-psychology assessments, in-depth interviews and a background check of the final candidate.

In accordance with GDPR, please do not include sensitive personal data in your application.

About Hansson & Partners

Hansson & Partners is a consulting company with deep roots in Dalarna, specialising in recruitment for qualified positions, strategic HR and interim assignments. With extensive industry experience, the company helps organisations find the right leaders and key talent through a competency-based and objective process. Quality, integrity and personal commitment are central to every assignment.

Hansson & Partners

You are welcome to contact one of the recruitment consultants at Hansson & Partners if you would like to know more about the position.

Martin Ogemar, [email protected], +46 72 237 21 30

Anna Hansson, [email protected], +46 70 695 64 63