Manager- New Product Integration, SFO

Kohler Co.; Benito Juárez; On-site; MXN 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohler Co. in Juarez, Mexico is seeking a Manager, New Product Integration (NPI) to lead a team of engineers and technicians, driving early manufacturing involvement and delivering NPD milestones.

You will align with NPI, plant operations, and product teams to ensure launches are Right the First Time, focusing on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.

This leadership role requires DFSS, DFMA/DFX experience, and the ability to coach teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• 8+ years in industrial/manufacturing engineering, project management, or NPD.
• 2+ years directly leading engineering resources.
• Structured and organized with ability to lead a team independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Working application of DFSS principles and value engineering.
• Experience with DFMA techniques and software.
• Experience interacting with design and manufacturing teams in a gated NPD process.
• Knowledge of multiple manufacturing processes (assembly, casting, forging, injection molding, stamping, finishing).
• Strong written and verbal communication across functions.
• Proficiency with ProE/CREO is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Fulfill plant-level deliverables for the Kitchen and Bath Development Process (PFEP, certifications, cost reductions).
• Develop and achieve scheduled launches using clear project plans, risk management, and deadlines.
• Maintain alignment with upstream/downstream support areas on milestones.
• Lead resource planning and ensure timely contributions from teams.
• Enforce DFX principles to resolve manufacturing challenges; drive DFMA/DFM improvements.
• Coach teams to meet commitments and improve project management practices.
• Drive Time to Market improvements and ensure launch quality and adherence to specs.
• Escalate project status to Operations Leadership as needed.

Skills

Project management

DFSS

DFMA

DFX

Leadership

Coaching

Risk management

DFM/DFA/DFD

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

Pro/E/CREO

Job description

Work Mode: Onsite, Juarez, Nuevo León

This is more than a job posting for Kohler Company, one of the oldest and largest privately held companies headquartered in North America. This is an invitation to collaborate and apply your craft in a creative, conscious, and characterful culture.

As a Manager, New Product Integration (NPI) you will lead a team of NPI Engineers and Technicians to engage as a core project team member to drive early manufacturing involvement and execute the manufacturing New Product Development (NPD) deliverables, while synchronizing with project NPI and plant Operations teams to ensure New Products are “Right the First Time,” achieving Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.

Responsabilities

Responsible for fulfilling all Operations Plant Level deliverables for the Kitchen and Bath Development Process, including fulfillment strategies, Plan for Every Part (PFEP), operations certification, cost reduction implementations, capacity evaluations, supply chain integrity, costing, REA initiation, and process development.

Responsible for developing and achieving scheduled launch date by use of clear project plans, risk management, and task lists with clear deadlines, including, but not limited to the following actions:

• Gain and maintain alignment from upstream and downstream support areas on dependent milestones.
• Holding teams to their expected & timely contribution to the project.
• Proactively develop contingency plans for risk management.
• Collaborate in expediting actions and adjusted resource plans to offset upstream slips in schedule.
• Maintain effective resource loading to support all active projects.
• Accurate communication of project facts to NPD, NPI and Operations Leadership.

Work with design engineering to identify, accelerate and resolve manufacturing challenges by enforcing DFX principles, including, but not limited to Design for Manufacture (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Delivery (DFD).

Provide coaching and support to teams in keeping their commitments.

Change Agent / Process improvement:

• Regularly provide feedback and ideas/solutions for process improvements including the New Product Development process and manufacturing processes.
• Regularly provide feedback and actively participate in the improvement of project management practices within the New Product Integration group.
• Drive Time to Market Improvements. Ensure Quality and Performance Levels are met for New Product Launches (i.e. launch with no Deviations and match process capability to specifications).
• Applying engineering fundamentals to problem solving & make appropriate decisions, justify risk under critical review.
• Develop conclusions and recommend actions.
• Operate without need for technical supervision.
• Liaise closely with all levels of production, manufacturing engineering, plant quality, supply chain, safety, NPD, NPI, purchasing, and marketing providing clear information where necessary. Use relationships to maintain a network to support Production Strategies.
• Present project status and escalations to multiple levels of operations leadership including Managers/Directors/VP.

Education And Experience Requirements

B.S. degree from an engineering discipline from an ABET accredited engineering OR engineering technology program required.

Minimum of 8 years’ experience in an industrial, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, project management, or new product development engineering role.

2+ years directly leading engineering resources.

Skilled in coaching and holding teams and leaders accountable.

Must be structured and organized, with proven ability to lead a team independently within a fast-paced environment with minimal task structure.

Working application of DFSS principles and value engineering.

Experience interacting with design and manufacturing teams throughout a gated New Product Development process.

Knowledge and experience of multiple manufacturing processes, including but not limited to, assembly, casting, forging, injection molding, stamping and/or finishing.

Experience of communicating information at all levels across various functions written & verbally, concisely, and accurately.

Trained to use DFMA techniques and software.

Must be skilled in conflict resolution.

Experience In ProE/CREO Is a Plus, But Not Required.

Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.