Senior New Product Development (NPD) Project Leader

Rehlko•Kohler, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior New Product Development (NPD) Project Leader is responsible for leading large, complex product development programs from concept through launch, guiding cross-functional teams through a structured gated development process. This role operates with strong ownership and accountability, managing project scope, timelines, budgets, and resources to deliver innovative, high-quality products that meet strategic business and cost objectives. The position collaborates closely with engineering, manufacturing, marketing, testing, legal, and operational teams to drive alignment, resolve challenges, and ensure successful project execution. The Senior NPD Project Leader provides regular program updates to executive leadership, supports portfolio and resource planning, and plays a key role in improving NPD and project management processes to reduce time to market and increase efficiency. Additionally, this role mentors team members, fosters collaboration, and contributes to building a high-performing project management culture.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in product development related discipline (e.g., Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing or Design); MBA preferred.
5 to 7 years of increasing responsibility for new product development management involving a broad range of technologies and processes.
Strong Leadership skills and demonstrated ability to build teams, make sound decisions, and drive action cross functionally.
Demonstrated people skills required to lead & motivate professionals in a matrix organization who are not direct reports.
Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred
Experience with generators preferred

Responsibilities

Project management of large NPD projects by leading cross functional teams through a gated process. Each project to be led as if it were the Sr. NPD Project Leader’s own personal business.
Lead cross functional teams to develop project timelines, budgets, and project scopes and maintain them throughout the life of the project.
Persistently push the team to improve the outcome of the project.
Periodically reporting the status of the project to executive management.
With strategic focus, guide the team to develop new, innovative products that meet cost targets.
Assign to alternate team members, find alternative resources, or personally complete project tasks for team members who are absent or unable to complete tasks per the timeline.
Define roles & responsibilities for team members in undefined processes, when new processes are created, or unique instances occur.
Resolve and manage conflict within the project team. Make informed decisions in the event that a project team cannot.
Be willing and successful in taking calculated risk in new or complicated situations.
Manage the collection of project data for NPD process gate exits and release for shipment documents.
Build a support network and share with team members including marketing, engineering, manufacturing, test labs, legal, etc.
Regularly provide feedback and ideas/solutions for process improvements including the New Product Development process and manufacturing processes.
Regularly provide feedback and actively participate in the improvement of project management practices within the Project Management Office. Focus on reducing time to market and reducing project waste.
Assist/mentor less experienced team members, team leaders, and co-op students.
Provide backup and attend meetings on behalf of the Director – NPD Program Management on an as needed basis.
Provide development feedback on team members to their functional supervisors.
Involved in or assists with managing portfolio timing, cross-functional resource planning and budget planning