Senior Program Manager - NPD

Briggs and Stratton Corporation•Sherrill, NY

51d•$130,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior New Product Development (NPD) Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional programs from concept through commercial launch. This role is crucial for ensuring the successful execution of our product roadmap, meeting market demands, and driving business growth. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams and delivering innovative products on time and within budget. #LI-MD1 #LI-Onsite You will do this by: Operating in the following areas of key responsibilities: Program Leadership & Strategy: Lead and manage the entire lifecycle of multiple, concurrent NPD programs and / or operational projects, defining scope, goals, deliverables, and timelines in adherence with the NPD process Implement NPD best practices and continuous improvement opportunities to optimize efficiency, quality, and speed-to-market Partner with executive leadership and product management to define the program strategy and ensure alignment with the company's overall business objectives Cross-Functional Management: Serve as the central communication hub between Engineering, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales teams Facilitate and drive critical decisions, removing roadblocks and escalating issues to ensure program momentum Manage resource allocation across programs, working closely with functional managers to secure necessary personnel Planning, Tracking, and Reporting: Establish and maintain detailed program schedules, critical paths, and budget tracking Conduct regular program reviews and communicate program status, risks, and mitigation plans to all stakeholders, including executive staff Utilize project management tools to ensure transparent tracking of tasks and milestones Risk Management: Proactively identify and manage program risks, dependencies, and potential obstacles, developing effective contingency plans Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making within the program teams The above statements are intended only to describe the general nature of the job and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of position responsibilities. You are the kind of person who is/has: Strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture, anticipate change, and facilitate long-term, impactful decisions Exceptional leadership, negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills, comfortable presenting to all levels of the organization Process-driven and organized Composed in ambiguity

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in business or related field OR equivalent education and experience
Minimum seven years of related experience
Proven experience successfully leading complex product launches (could include hardware, software, and integrated product launches)
Strong working knowledge of common NPD methodologies (e.g., Stage-Gate, Agile, Waterfall)
Ability to prepare and present complex technical information to executive personnel
Advanced understanding of financial principles including EBITDA and Return On Investment concepts
Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to communicate and negotiate effectively with diverse groups of people
Strong ability to lead through influence with limited direct authority
Ability to form, work with and lead a team of diverse individuals in a variety of functions
Excellent organizational and planning skills
Excellent problem solving skills - guiding teams through issues throughout the project and driving decisions to be made with sound data in a timely fashion
Expert project management skills including timeline development and tracking, open issue resolution and waterfall/stage-gate NPD process flow
May require minimal domestic travel
Fluent in English and primary language used in area of responsibility and/or location

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the entire lifecycle of multiple, concurrent NPD programs and / or operational projects, defining scope, goals, deliverables, and timelines in adherence with the NPD process
Implement NPD best practices and continuous improvement opportunities to optimize efficiency, quality, and speed-to-market
Partner with executive leadership and product management to define the program strategy and ensure alignment with the company's overall business objectives
Serve as the central communication hub between Engineering, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Sales teams
Facilitate and drive critical decisions, removing roadblocks and escalating issues to ensure program momentum
Manage resource allocation across programs, working closely with functional managers to secure necessary personnel
Establish and maintain detailed program schedules, critical paths, and budget tracking
Conduct regular program reviews and communicate program status, risks, and mitigation plans to all stakeholders, including executive staff
Utilize project management tools to ensure transparent tracking of tasks and milestones
Proactively identify and manage program risks, dependencies, and potential obstacles, developing effective contingency plans
Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making within the program teams