New Product Program Manager
About The Position
Position Overview: The New Product Program Manager (NPPM) is responsible for leading the cross-functional execution of new product development launches (PD&L) from concept through production launch. This role ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with manufacturing capabilities, quality standards, and cost targets. The NPPM serves as the central coordinator between Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Marketing/Sales to drive accountability, remove barriers, and ensure successful product launches. When launch demands are lower, the role supports product engineering through task management, issue resolution, and structured problem solving.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related).
- 5+ years’ experience in product engineering, manufacturing engineering, or new product development.
- Proven experience managing cross-functional projects.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability (DFM).
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills using structured methodologies.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in furniture manufacturing or similar discrete manufacturing environment.
- Lean / TPS training or certification.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
- PMP certification or equivalent project management training.
Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional NPI projects from design release through production readiness.
- Develop and maintain detailed project timelines with clear milestones and ownership.
- Ensure launches meet targets for: On-time delivery, Cost and margin goals, Manufacturability, Quality standards
- Facilitate regular project reviews and communicate status, risks, and mitigation plans.
- Identify and remove barriers that threaten launch timing or success.
- Coordinate pilot runs, validation builds and launch readiness reviews.
- Act as the primary liaison between: Product Engineering, Manufacturing & Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain & Materials, Quality, Sales & Marketing
- Ensure clear handoffs and accountability across departments.
- Align stakeholders on priorities, scope, and launch readiness.
- Assist Product Engineering leadership in managing workload, priorities, and task tracking.
- Support backlog management and ensure critical engineering tasks are visible and progressing.
- Help the team recover from schedule slips by re-prioritizing and coordinating resources.
- Lead structured problem solving for product issues affecting quality, manufacturability, or customer satisfaction.
- Support root cause analysis using Lean/TPS methodologies.
- Drive corrective actions and ensure sustainable solutions.
- Identify design improvements that reduce cost, complexity, and defects.
- Ensure complete and accurate product documentation, including: Bills of Materials (BOMs), Drawings and specifications, Work instructions, Packaging requirements
- Verify manufacturing readiness prior to launch.
- Support development of standard work for new products.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
