Manager, New Product Development

Position Summary:

The New Product Development Manager leads the overall development, coordination, implementation, execution, decision making, and completion of new products. This role is responsible for ensuring consistency with company methodology, commitments, technical goals, and financial targets, while driving strategic initiatives, process improvements, and cross functional alignment, to ensure successful delivery of new products to market. Furthermore, the New Product Development Manager will be responsible for leading and managing multiple projects that are diverse in scope, while working in an environment that thrives on innovation, communication, and collaboration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Examples of key duties are interpreted as being descriptive and not restrictive in nature. Incumbents routinely perform approximately 80% of the duties below.

Project Management: 

·         Develops schedule to incorporate all aspects of the program requirements. 

·         Manages multiple competing priorities, removing roadblocks, understanding requirements from customers, and makes priority calls for the corporation. Communicates decisions clearly. 

·         Ability to organize, evaluate and present information effectively (graphics, technical documents, written reports, presentations, etc.). 

·         Monitors progress to plan and uses influencing skills to close gaps in delivery schedules to meet overall program timelines. 

·         Define overall product NPI program schedules and report out on program status and issues to leadership, customers, and relevant stakeholders. 

·         Ensure the product meets technical specifications, profitability targets, and regulatory requirements within the customer aligned timelines. 

·         Primary technical point of contact for customers. 

Technical Leadership: 

·         Takes a vague concept for a new product and collaborates with multiple departments and customers to define product requirements. 

·         Identify where the proposed product fits within established technologies. 

·         Develop direction for solution path and influence all key stakeholders to adopt recommended solution. 

·         Partner with cross-functional groups to define, prioritize, and build program and product requirements to meet the technical target specifications. 

Technical Problem Solving: 

·         Use structured problem-solving methods to solve technical and non-technical problems. 

·         Ability to analyze data and make decisions that affect the project on a regular basis. 

·         Apply manufacturing and statistical methods to estimate manufacturing requirements, potential, and cost of product to be developed. 

·         Deliver timely and accurate reporting data for leadership. 

·         Manage technical projects through sound project management principles and standards. 

 Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by manager

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·         Understands and effectively explains key technical challenges for industrial, food, and food coat processes. 

·         Effectively communicates the key failure modes for process, materials, equipment impacts product output, and quality. 

·         Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as time management skills to monitor and evaluate the performance of projects. 

·         Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, when working across multiple countries and geographies within and outside the company. 

·         Self-starter who is resourceful, proactive, and assertive, that thrives in a fast-paced and innovative environment. 

·         Demonstrated history of successfully managing projects to success, by every measure. 

·         Proven experience in a fast-paced business environment. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates/incumbents must meet the minimum qualifications as detailed below.

·         Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Engineering, or relevant STEM discipline.  

·         Minimum 3-5 years applicable project management and engineering/science work experience 

·         2 years of experience leading projects in a formal development methodology and managing cross-functional teams 

·         2 years of client management experience with accountability for client relationships 

·         Experience with product development through a full development cycle 

·         Periodic travel required to support product development 

·         Highly competent with Microsoft Office Suite, statistical software, and Microsoft Project, or other project planning tools 

 Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the key duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform critical tasks.

·    Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with staff contact and frequent interruptions.

·    Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an standard office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate (up to 20 pounds) amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fire coordination including use of a computer keyboard; may be required to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

·    Vision: Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction.

·    Hearing: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

 Special Conditions of Employment:

·    Pre-employment Background Check Required

·    Drug screening

·    DMV Check/Current and Valid Driver's License

·    Some evening or weekend work hours

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, prescription, dental, and vision care plans as well as HSA / FSA accounts.

• Insurance Protection: Basic term life, accidentals, short- and long-term disability, and voluntary life insurance coverage.
• Financial Security: Short and long-term disability plans, along with a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Time Off Support: Flexible time off program, paid holidays, sick leave, and parental leave benefits.
• Lifestyle Benefit: Voluntary Pet Insurance.

NOTE: This position is not eligible for a relocation benefit.