Job Description
The Program Manager is a pivotal role within the New Product Development (NPD) Team, responsible for ensuring the seamless execution of NPD projects from concept to market launch.
Responsibilities
1. NPD Project Planning & Execution:
* Manage multiple NPD projects, ensuring adherence to scope, timeline, and deliverables working alongside the project owner.
* Establish and maintain project charters, timelines, and status reports for all active NPD initiatives.
* Facilitate stage-gate process execution, ensuring project milestones are met and necessary approvals obtained.
* Develop risk mitigation plans to address potential project delays or challenges.
2. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
* Act as a liaison between NPD, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams to ensure streamlined communication and issue resolution.
* Work closely with Global NPD Quality Lead to ensure compliance with quality standards and documentation requirements.
* Align with Operations and Marketing teams to manage Go-to-Market (GTM) execution and product launch readiness.
* Stay abreast of communications with external vendors, contract manufacturers, and suppliers to ensure project alignment and adherence to specifications.
3. Process Optimization & Workflow Management:
* Identify opportunities to enhance NPD workflows, approvals, and documentation management.
* Standardize and improve project tracking tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Tableau, or similar platforms) to drive efficiency and transparency.
* Support the development of SOPs and best practices for NPD project execution.
4. Budget & Resource Management:
* Assist in tracking NPD project budgets, ensuring cost efficiency across product development phases.
* Monitor resource allocation and team workload to optimize project execution and prevent bottlenecks.
5. Performance Tracking & Reporting:
* Work with NPD Operations to track project KPIs, including time-to-market, budget adherence, and quality metrics.
* Generate weekly progress reports and monthly executive-level summaries on NPD project status.
* Drive post-launch analysis to assess project success and identify areas for improvement.
6. Training & Stakeholder Engagement:
* Facilitate training sessions for cross-functional teams on NPD processes, project management tools, and governance frameworks.
* Support global alignment by ensuring regional teams are informed of project developments and expectations.
7. General Administrative & Ad-Hoc Responsibilities:
* Assist in project process documentation, dashboard creation, and project reporting.
* Support event planning, product demos, and executive presentations as needed.
* Collaborate with global colleagues across multiple time zones, making reasonable accommodations for meetings that may occasionally take place during evening hours to support effective communication and teamwork.
* Stay informed on industry best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes that impact NPD processes.
* Travel up to 10% per year to attend key meetings, vendor visits, or market research activities.
* Any other ad-hoc duties that may arise.
Requirements
* Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
* PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile certification.
* 5+ years of experience in project management, preferably within NPD or marketing operations.
* Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana, Jira).
* Strong knowledge of stage-gate product development processes and regulatory considerations.
* Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
* Ability to work cross-functionally in a global environment across multiple time zones.
* High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
* Fluent written and spoken English.
* Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.