Empire - Sheridan, AR
posted about 2 months ago
The New Product Development Manager will be responsible for overseeing and fulfilling all Operations Plant Level deliverables for the Kitchen and Bath Development Process. This includes developing fulfillment strategies, managing the Plan for Every Part (PFEP), ensuring operations certification, implementing cost reduction strategies, conducting capacity evaluations, maintaining supply chain integrity, and managing costing and REA initiation. The role requires driving manufacturing input into New Product Development (NPD) projects to enhance design effectiveness and reliability through methodologies such as Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), design reviews, and Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA). Regular feedback and communication with various stakeholders will be essential to ensure project success. As the Project Manager for all plant operations functions related to NPI and NPD projects, the New Product Development Manager will oversee new product launches, DfX initiatives, and other critical projects. This includes building product cost models in collaboration with plant NPI and Operations support to manage product costs effectively and meet launch targets. The manager will also provide technical support for Make versus Buy analysis, develop project execution timelines, and ensure that scheduled inventory in stock dates are achieved. The role demands a proactive approach to drive time-to-market improvements and ensure that quality and performance levels are met for new product launches. In addition to project management, the New Product Development Manager will act as a change agent, regularly providing feedback and ideas for process improvements within the New Product Development process and manufacturing processes. The position requires applying engineering fundamentals to problem-solving, making justified decisions, and operating independently without technical supervision. The manager will liaise closely with various departments, including production, manufacturing engineering, plant quality, supply chain, safety, NPD, NPI, purchasing, and marketing, to maintain clear communication and support production strategies. Presenting project status and escalations to operations leadership will also be a key responsibility.