R D Product Development

P. Alex von zur Muehlen

Norman, OK

Cell 636-***-**** ********@*****.***

Executive Summary

Accomplished executive leader focused on strategic planning, growth, and innovation.

Fosters innovation that reshapes industries.

Builds world class engineering teams that develop best-in-class global products, manufacturing processes, and quality.

Leader through all product phases from concept creation with customer to R&D, design, development, launch, manufacturing, and sustaining.

Accomplishments

Senior Director of NPD and Innovation

Nortek Data Center Cooling, Oklahoma City, OK, Jun 2024 - May 2025

Led all new product development for standard product lines and all R&D for the full portfolio of dedicated data center cooling equipment. Responsible for P&L of NPI projects, VA/VE goals and quality goals for new and sustaining product lines. Supervised team consisting of one Director, two Managers, and 16 national team members plus five contract engineer local and international team members. Developed product roadmap and R&D strategy, drove P&L and KPIs; and supportMed M&A preparation and execution.

●Rapidly developed new line of Computer Room Air Handlers, launched on time with over $6M in sales in the first year after launch.

●Led reimagination of signature Statepoint hybrid cooling system as modular standard product that took 40% of total cost out and improved performance and customer experience. Launching this summer with over $50M in sales commitment already, a five-fold increase from the legacy model.

●R&D development of hybrid immersion system (patent application in process).

●Developed new spill and fill skid line to support Statepoint, providing extra customer value over having to use outside contractors and increasing sales/profit. Launching in conjunction with new Statepoint.

●Leveraged a mix of inside and outside resources to complete design of modular/customizable rear door heat exchanger, launching in June.

●Significantly increased team output by reallocating R&D Team from a focused Statepoint team to supporting rapid NPD development while still completing strategic R&D on time.

Director of Product Engineering

SPX Corporation – Marley Engineered Products, Michigan City, IN, July 2018 - June 2024

Director of Product Engineering - led new product development and sustaining engineering and VA/VE for the $110M electrical heating and ventilation division. Responsible for P&L of NPI projects, VA/VE goals and quality goals for new and sustaining product lines. Team included two managers and 11 national team members plus international external team members, develop product development strategy, develop, drive P&L and KPIs; and support M&A preparation and execution.

●Responsible for integrating Product and Engineering teams/systems of $130M acquisition into MEP’s portfolio.

●Introduced NPD roadmap and water lining systems, revived product development with three NPD launches the first year after none for over five years.

●Increasing pace of NPD launches in second and third years.

●Developed and launched all new unit heat lines with digital BMS compatible controls, updated styling and improved performance.

●Launched THX Heater as new product category for MEP; voted Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine’s 2020 HVAC Product of the Year.

●Developed innovative patent pending solution to introduce a multi-platform digital control product which cut development time by over 1 year and cost by over 50%.

●Saved over $500k per year by through formal VA/VE ideation and water-lining procedure.

●Identified and attacked systemic quality issues; drove new design standards into high-warranty products completely eliminating high-risk reoccurring customer failures on effected products.

●Initiated and championed rebuilding MTO lines; reduced component complexity by 40% and eliminated manual intervention on standard configurations.

Senior Engineering Manager

Eaton Corporation - Bussmann Division, Ellisville, MO, July 2015 – July 2018

Managed all NPD for Eaton's $300M Bussmann Business Division. Responsible for P&L of NPI projects and quality goals for new product lines. Led two managers and 17 international team members; created department strategy, priorities, and new product roadmap to support division growth and cost savings.

●Generated new sales of >$2M in the first year and $5M in the second year by establishing a new business process - Custom Order Engineering (COE) team that customizes products for OEM partners. Awarded Top New Business System for Eaton’s Circuit Protection Division.

●Initiated the largest initial sales launch in the 100-year history of the company by developing a 1500V Photovoltaic circuit protection product addressing a hole in the market.

●Led Electric Vehicle product development with over $13M of recurring sales from almost nothing.

●Launched surge protection product line extensions SurgePOD and board level surge modules.

●Championed new compact circuit protector launch, extended product line up to 400 amps and added a full line of accessories, matching fusible control panels and a line safety switch assemblies. Revitalized over 10% of product sales.

Engineering Manager

Eaton Corporation, Ellisville, MO, June 2010 – July 2015

Managed Bussmann Business Division’s new product development for fusible components and assemblies. Led one manager and 8 international team members; created department strategy, priorities, and new product roadmap to support division growth and cost savings.

●Championed Design for Six Sigma and consistent engineering processes for all NPD resulting in reduced product development time and consistent quality.

●Reduced 25% cost and boosted >$6M in international sales with patented modular fuse holder.

●Initiated over $1M modular fuse block system, 40% cost reduction and patented new features.

●Launched smallest UL 98 listed disconnect on the market for panel applications, became new standard for high SCCR server power supply applications.

Officer in Charge

US Forces VIP Security Team, Afghanistan, March 2009 – May 2010

Three manager level direct reports and a staff of 27. Managed security, transportation for VIP visitors to USFOR-A throughout Afghanistan (Flag officers and high-ranking civilians) including planning, budget, and training in a dynamic and dangerous operational environment.

●Instituted new training and qualification standards; improved professionalism and safety.

●100% success rate with no causalities or major incidents to visitors or my team.

Segment Leader/Engineering Manager

FAG Schaeffler Group, Joplin, MO, October 2007 – December 2008

Promoted to Segment Leader in less than one year, Managed 26 direct reports and responsible for P&L, scheduling, and process development for Wind Energy segment within the plant. Developed strategic growth initiative and expansion into new markets.

●Directed 26% increased 800-ton forge press output; over $2M annual savings.

●Launched $8M per year industrial bearing line.

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

SRG (Siegel-Robert Inc.), Ripley, TN, June 1998 – September 2007

Led 10 direct reports in manufacturing of injection molded plastic and electro-mechanical automotive components.

●Supported $30M in annual sales with deployment of 28 new products launches.

●100% launched on time with full customer PPAP to meet customer and internal goal.

●Championed Lean and VA/VE initiatives.

Skill Highlights

●Executive leadership and team building

●Strategic planning

●Budgeting and capital planning

●New Product Development

●Product roadmaps and waterlining

●Leadership and team building

●Analytics and complex problem solving

●R&D and innovation

●Product line expansion

●Electro-Mechanical and Controls Engineering

●Business development

●Plastics, metals and complex systems

●LEAN 6σ, DFSS and Shainin

●Project management

●Technically adept

Cross-cultural experience

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EDUCATION & MEMBERSHIPS

Master of Science

M.Sc. Engineering Management

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Bachelor of Science

B.Sc. Naval Architecture-Mechanical Engineering

United States Naval Academy

US Naval War College

JMPE Command and Staff program

US Navy Nuclear Power School & NPTU

Nuclear Propulsion Officer program

DFSS Green Belt

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