Project Manager

Quienes somos:WHY WERNER? BECAUSE WE ARE THE PRO'S CHOICE You will find our market leading products and brands on trucks and job sites all over the world. Focusing on end users' needs drives our success. Our entire product development process—from research to engineering to manufacturing to commercialization—creates products that ensure ease of use, productivity, durability and safety for the end user. On jobsites across America and the world, WernerCo brands are most preferred.Resumen:**Purpose**The purpose of the New Product Introduction (NPI) Manager is to successfully:- Launch new products into production.- Transfer operations from other facilities into Wernerco plants- Execute engineering changes in production, including those related to TCA initiatives.This role involves overseeing the complete NPI process, ensuring timely and efficient product introductions or changes while maintaining high quality standards. The NPI Manager is the main liaison between corporate offices and the plant cross-functional teams, including operations, manufacturing engineering, planning, and design engineering, to facilitate smooth transitions from product development to production startup.Responsible for holding team accountable for delivery of projects to meet the defined business objectives including cost, specifications, and timeliness.**Responsabilidades**:**Key Responsibilities (Essential Job Functions)**- Lead and coordinate the NPI process from conception to market launch, ensuring timely and successful product introductions. Align team with current Werner’s NPD and NPI procedures.- Develop and manage comprehensive NPI project plans, budgets, and timelines to support successful commercialization. Who is going to do What by When.- Foster effective communication and collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, including product and design engineering, manufacturing, planning, and sales, to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve potential roadblocks.- Conduct regular project status meetings to update stakeholders on NPI progress, highlighting risks, and proposing mitigation strategies.- Coordinate preproduction builds to ensure materials and equipment are ready on time.- Partner with manufacturing teams to streamline NPI processes, implementing lean principles to reduce time-to-market and production costs.Calificaciones:**Experience & Education**- BSME or equivalent required; PMP Certification preferred.- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in leading and managing consumer product projects. Experience to include production transfers between manufacturing locations.- Experience working on projects in cross-functional team setting of engineering development & design, product validation, marketing, procurement, production scheduling, materials management, and other disciplines as needed.- Experience with mechanical manufacturing and design methods related to metal type components, finishes, packaging, and various manufacturing process such as stampings, welding, painting, and other fabrication methods.**Travel Requirements**- Active USA Visa. Willing to travel to domestic and international engineering centers, manufacturing sites, and suppliers.**Key Skills**:- Strong leadership abilities, with a proven track record of successfully managing cross-functional teams and driving project outcomes.- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external partners.- Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making capabilities to identify issues, propose innovative solutions, and adapt to changing project requirements.- Project management expertise, including the ability to develop and execute comprehensive project plans, manage budgets, and meet tight deadlines.- Strong analytical skills to evaluate project performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement corrective actions.- Detail-oriented mindset to ensure meticulous planning, execution, and evaluation of NPI activities.- Proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate potential risks, evaluate contingencies, and drive risk mitigation strategies.- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining composure and focus.- Sound understanding of product development lifecycles, manufacturing processes, and quality control standards.- **Specific Knowledge**:- PMP - Project Management Professional and/or PMI Certification preferred.- Proven experience in NPI or product management roles, preferably in a technology-driven industry.- Familiarity with best practices in project management methodologies, such as Agile or Waterfall.- Proficiency in project management tools, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. MS Project proficient.- Exposure to lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement frameworks.- Familiarity with product launch processes and go-to-market strategies.- E