Project Manager - NPI

Position Summary

The purpose of this role is to manage new product introduction (NPI) projects, from concept or order to first-time production. This role involves coordinating project activities across different functions with project team members from Business Development, Quality, Engineering and Operations departments, to ensure that the new products are manufacturable and meet the required quality standards and customer specifications.

This position will use analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues during the NPI process and apply mechanical engineering principles and tools to provide support in areas such as contract review and product prototyping process.

Major Responsibilities - reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

- Be a safety role model. Engage with employees, supervision and management to create and promote a safe work environment.

- Responsible for the successful completion of NPI projects. Leads activities such as:

- Definition of project objectives, tasks, timelines, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility

- Development of a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress

- Delivery of project tasks on time, within scope and budget

- Management of challenges to the project scope, schedule and costs

- Measurement of project performance and relationships with customers and stakeholders

- Communication with customers on NPI project issues that affect the course of the respective product development

- Supports technical tasks such as:

- Contract review, including customer drawings review, generation of internal engineering drawings, generation of manufacturing methods

- Construction of prototype assemblies; troubleshooting of technical issues

- Determination of most optimum manufacturing and machining processes for new magnet orders

- Investigates and provides root cause analysis when the project targets are not met. Implement corrective actions.

- Coordinates with third parties/vendors for the flawless execution of projects.

- Continually develops leadership skills.

- Attend conferences and training to maintain proficiency.

- Other duties as assigned

Administrative and Communication Responsibilities

- Facilitate effective NPI team communication.

- Maintain accurate and current NPI project documentation.

Employee Leadership and Coordination

- No direct reports; must lead through cross-functional influence.

- Encourage accountability and proactive ownership among project team members.

- Foster a collaborative, results-oriented project environment.

Qualifications

- Required at minimum BS in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or Physics.

- Minimum 5 years work experience in an engineering role for product development and/or manufacturing.

- Minimum 3 years of experience in managing projects.

- Proven experience in managing complex projects, including planning, execution, and risk management.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project tracking tools (e.g., MS Project, Celoxis)

- PMP certification is a plus but not required.

Successful Essential Skills

- Communication – is able to clearly and succinctly send a message in a variety of communication settings and styles. Must be able to interact and effectively communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization. Can create open channels of communication, adapt message to fit audience, express ideas clearly and concisely, keep others well-informed, listen carefully to input and feedback.

- Project Management – ability to take a problem statement through a rigorous process and closure, adding value to the organization.

- Excellent problem solving skills: uses rigorous logic and methods to solve problems producing effective solutions to problem statements.

- Excellent time management skills: concentrating effort on priorities and overall planning, awareness and response to what is due now, short and long term.