DFM Program Lead for Manufacturing Excellence

Newell Brands

Jackson (MS)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 165,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Newell Brands is seeking a Manager of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) within ERA to own the development and deployment of the DFM program. You will collaborate with NPD, MDC, Operations and cross‑functional teams to embed manufacturability into early decisions, optimizing cost, lead time and supply chain risk.

You will lead reviews, define SME networks, develop guidelines, KPIs and training, and ensure gate readiness across product types.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial or a related Engineering discipline.
5+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, product development or operations in consumer products or discrete/process manufacturing.
Experience applying DFM and/or other Design for Excellence (DFX) disciplines, such as Design for Assembly, Cost, Quality, Reliability or Supply Chain.
Experience with concurrent engineering and embedding manufacturability into a structured, stage‑gated NPD process.
Experience implementing, scaling or governing a program, standard or capability across multiple sites or business units from a corporate or center‑of‑excellence role.
Working knowledge of DFM and quality tools, including DFMEA, PFMEA, process capability fundamentals and structured cost analysis.
Familiarity with enterprise PLM systems (e.g., PTC Windchill), engineering change process, 3D modeling and CAD/eBOM management.
Strong facilitation, influence and communication skills in a matrixed organization; able to explain manufacturability trade‑offs to technical and non‑technical audiences.

Responsibilities

Manage and improve Newell DFM materials, including the Program Manual, phase definitions, RACI, KPI framework and template library.
Own DFM gate criteria from Idea through Launch; drive programs to meet them and deliver the DFM readiness assessment at each gate, concentrating on the decisions that most affect cost, lead time and complexity.
Support make‑vs‑buy and insourcing decisions by helping teams quantify capital, capability and risk trade‑offs and grounding design choices in data.
Support consistent DFM application across segments while developing product‑type guidance for discrete electromechanical, discrete mechanical/formed, process/batch and high‑volume discrete products.
Act as the DFM lead on priority NPD programs during rollout; guide business teams and MDC through day‑to‑day execution and hold programs accountable to the DFM standard.
Lead cross‑functional DFM reviews with Product Development, ERA, Packaging, Industrial Engineering, Plant/Production, Quality, Procurement and Finance; own the cadence, set agendas, drive reviews to decisions and initiate escalation when program timing or gate readiness is at risk.
Build and maintain a Subject Matter Expert (SME) network supporting DFM reviews across Product Development, MDC, Manufacturing, Quality, Packaging, Procurement, Finance and plant teams.
Define and maintain SME engagement guidelines for DFM reviews, including timing, cadence and role clarity by program phase.
Capture and codify SME guidance, lessons learned and manufacturing constraints, including closeout learnings, into DFM materials and training to continuously improve effectiveness.
Define, track and communicate DFM KPIs, including manufacturability risk, cost‑to‑target, supplier readiness, design‑freeze compliance, pilot first‑pass yield and skills readiness.
Build and deliver DFM training and develop the skills‑and‑training‑readiness approach so operator, technician, engineering and supplier capabilities are assessed and closed before launch.