Product Development Program Manager

Smc Group - Twinsburg, OH

Full-time

Twinsburg, OH

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Product Development Program Manager is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing the development of both new and existing projects throughout all stages of the Product Development process, from Concept Development to Pilot Production and Market Introduction. This position is customer-facing, requiring the Program Manager to work closely with the Lead Product Development Engineer to form a core team dedicated to meeting and exceeding customer and stakeholder expectations. The Program Manager will lead and manage project priorities for the SMC project team, ensuring that development efforts align with customer requirements and project timelines. In this role, the Program Manager will develop and maintain project timelines and Bills of Material (BOM) that support quoted lead-times, incorporating customer requirements for research and discovery, ideation, concept development, product engineering, validation, tool development, manufacturing systems readiness, Pilot Production, and the transfer to production systems at other SMC facilities. As the primary project contact with the customer, the Program Manager will gather product requirements as defined by internal processes, document these requirements, and present them to the Lead Engineer and the product development team for technical alignment. The Program Manager is responsible for ensuring that all customer project deliverables regarding timing, quality, and project accounting are met. This includes practicing effective project management techniques with internal and cross-functional teams, maintaining strong communication, managing priorities, and seeking stakeholder feedback in a timely manner. Additionally, the Program Manager will oversee the procurement of all project CapEx and OpEx, including components, assemblies, and equipment, and will be responsible for project CBOMs, quotes, POs, and procurement timelines. Throughout all phases of the project, the Program Manager will develop and gather necessary documentation, including the Design History File (DHF), ensuring that internal processes and procedures are satisfied before progressing to the next phase. The role also emphasizes creating a culture of collaboration, cooperation, and communication within the team, with a willingness to mentor and be mentored. The Program Manager will provide internal support for the project, resolve any emerging issues, and maintain a safe work environment by adhering to all company safety policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage project priorities for the SMC project team to support the development efforts of new and existing projects.
• Develop and maintain project timelines and Bills of Material (BOM) that support quoted lead-times and incorporate customer requirements.
• Gather product requirements from the customer and document them for technical alignment with the product development team.
• Manage project deliverables to ensure timing, quality, and project accounting are met.
• Practice good project management techniques with internal and cross-functional teams, including meeting minutes and action items.
• Responsible for procurement of all project CapEx & OpEx, including components, assemblies, and equipment.
• Develop and gather all necessary documentation during all phases of the project, including the Design History File (DHF).
• Create and support a culture of collaboration, cooperation, and communication within the team.
• Provide internal support for the project and resolve any new issues that develop.
• Maintain a safe work environment by following all company safety policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering; BSME preferred.
• A minimum of seven years' experience in Product Development with an emphasis on injection molded plastic product design.
• Professional and well-organized with excellent time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to handle sensitive, confidential, and conflicting situations.
• Strong technical and proposal writing skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to exercise strong judgment in analyzing, evaluating, and solving problems.
• Proficient in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD software.

Nice-to-haves

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Solidworks experience is preferred.