Project Manager - NPD

Wabtec•Buffalo Grove, IL

2d•$91,100 - $129,800•Onsite

About The Position

You will be joining our innovative Wabtec Bus Solutions division, a team dedicated to developing, selling, and servicing leading systems for the Transit Bus & Rail industries including eBus charging systems, innovative passenger door systems, access ramps, and wheelchair lifts. Our group combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of product requirements to deliver industry-leading solutions, lasting value to our customers, and cutting-edge technologies that shape the future of public transit. As a member of the Wabtec Bus Solutions division, you will be responsible for leading the successful delivery of complex, multi-year new product development projects and large customized customer design projects from “cradle to grave.” You will oversee cross-functional teams to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards, while also serving as the central point of coordination and communication for all project stakeholders. Reporting to the Director of Engineering with a dotted line to the Vice President Sales – North America, you will contribute significantly to the team's success in driving innovation in the transportation industry.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (ABET accredited)
8+ years of relevant experience in project management, engineering, & manufacturing
Proven track record of delivering projects on time, in budget, meeting quality targets
Well versed in effective use of PM tools including Scopes, Work Breakdown Structures, Timelines, Budgets, Risk Matrices, Organization Charts/RACI’s, Presentations
Strong detailed planning, tracking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
Effective leadership with the ability to motivate and coordinate cross-functional groups
The ability to present to outside customers and all levels of the organization
Strong working knowledge of NPD Stage Gate and related tools/standards
Proficient in Microsoft Project or Smartsheet, Excel, and PowerPoint
Customer Orientation: Identifies internal/external customer needs, makes suitable proposals, monitors customer satisfaction, and provides clear communication.
Group Leadership: Demonstrates proactive guidance, fosters inclusive decision-making, encourages collective responsibility, and promotes team communication.
Planning and Organizing: Plans work effectively, sets priorities, communicates plans, and prepares for potential issues.
Delegation: Delegates tasks appropriately, provides decision-making authority, and allows freedom in task execution.
Management Control: Monitors project progress, reports on it, and anticipates disruptions.
Results Orientation: Sets ambitious goals independently, delivers results better or sooner than expected, and makes proposals for more efficient or effective methods.
Initiative: Acts independently, is proactive in producing proposals and ideas, and takes on tasks without being asked.
Oral Communication: Delivers clear and logical messages, demonstrates effective questioning and answering skills, and aligns verbal and non-verbal communication.
Written Communication: Writes concise, reader-focused communications using examples, metaphors, and illustrations to clarify.
Adaptability: Adjusts activities and behavior independently when changes are necessary, responds effectively to unexpected issues, and adapts plans as needed.
Judgement: Ensures in-depth understanding of situations, separates relevant information, evaluates solutions, and makes fact-based decisions.
Integrity: Takes personal responsibility, is honest about opportunities and risks, keeps promises, and informs others frankly about issues.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree, PMP, or equivalent project management certification is a plus

Responsibilities

Manage projects from clean sheet through implementation and after care
Coordinate the efforts of cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, sales, quality, finance, and other supporting departments, potentially international
Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including detailed timelines, resource allocations, and risk mitigation strategies
Facilitate regular project status meetings to monitor progress, identify and resolve issues, and communicate updates to stakeholders
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners
Develop & manage project budgets to ensure projects remain on target
Identify and escalate project risks and roadblocks, proposing solutions to keep on track
Maintain change management processes to address scope changes and new requirements
Identify lessons learned and best practices to continuously improve project delivery
Execute and assist in improvement of APQP and R&D/NPD process
Help guide via expertise in the engineering and manufacturing arena’s