NPDI Prototyping Continuous Improvement Manager

Vertiv Group • Westerville, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Global Product Development Office (GPDO) team mission is to continuously develop and improve our Product Lifecycle Management Processes, which includes New Product Development and Introduction (NPDI), Sustaining, and Phase Out. The Product Development Process and Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for identifying and leading initiatives that reduce Vertiv’s product development cycle time – the manager will be responsible for defining and driving Operational Excellence in the product development process. Description for Internal Candidates Job Title: NPDI Prototyping Continuous Improvement Manager Function/Department: Product Transformation/Products & Solutions Work Location: Onsite at Westerville, OH Vertiv, a $ 10.0B global organization with nearly 31,000 employees, designs, builds and services critical infrastructure that enables vital applications for data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial facilities. We support today’s growing mobile and cloud computing markets with a portfolio of power, thermal and infrastructure management solutions. Job Summary The Global Product Development Office (GPDO) team’s mission is to continuously develop and improve Vertiv’s Product Lifecycle Management processes, including New Product Development and Introduction (NPDI), sustaining, and phase-out. The NPDI Prototype Continuous Improvement Manager identifies and leads initiatives that reduce prototype cycle time and improve prototype quality across engineering prototypes, manufacturing prototypes, and pilot builds. Key areas of responsibility include: Improve cycle time and quality of engineering and manufacturing prototypes within the NPDI process. Define and track key prototype metrics/KPIs; lead data collection, analysis, and reporting to senior leadership. Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for prototype quality issues and build schedule delays; remove roadblocks to keep builds on track. Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Program Management, Procurement, and Advanced/Manufacturing Engineering to implement process and tooling improvements. Conduct on-site working sessions and workshops as needed (“go to the gemba”) to observe processes, surface issues, and drive improvements. Provide regular status updates, progress, and improvement plans to senior leadership. The NPDI Prototype Continuous Improvement Manager executes prototype process improvements driven by operating model KPIs, leadership priorities, lessons learned, lean workshops, and Kaizen events. The role applies lean principles to reduce waste, standardize work through documented procedures, and support adoption through communication and training. The role supports on-the-job training for key NPDI process steps and drives improvements across the development process. The manager may also support Product Line Program Managers by documenting project critical paths, benchmarking portfolio norms, and identifying root causes and corrective actions for projects with high schedule slip and/or extended time-to-market (TTM). This role partners closely with Product Line Program Managers, Engineering, Advanced/Manufacturing Engineering, and Procurement to define critical-path steps and sequencing, remove roadblocks, and deliver measurable prototype process improvements. The NPDI Prototype Continuous Improvement Manager will work closely with the GPDO team and functions to implement necessary process improvements and actions.

Requirements

• BS in Engineering or a closely related field, or equivalent required
• 10+ years cumulative experience working in Operational Excellence and Continuous improvement, specifically in complex product development organizations – preferably ones with Phase Gate processes
• Strong communication skills to communicate effortlessly with PMO Leads and global functional leaders
• Be Self-Starter – be able to take high level instructions and convert them into comprehensive end to end action plans
• High self motivation, drive, and inquisitiveness to transform our business performance and strong curiosity and critical thinking skills to arrive to correct conclusions and drive proper countermeasures.
• Strong ability to summarize large amounts of information into clear and concise summaries for actioning
• Ability to take directions, lead ad-hoc teams, and drive for results
• High proficiency in MS Office is required (including Excel Pivot Tables)

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred but not required
• Design for Six Sigma / Lean Six Sigma / Design Thinking experience preferred
• Experience utilizing Google AppSheet is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement of NPDI prototype processes (engineering and manufacturing prototypes) to improve quality and reduce cycle time.
• Partner with Product Line development teams to identify root causes of process issues or schedule delays and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Report prototype process metrics, key insights, and improvement plans to senior leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees