New Product Development Manager

SPX Cooling Tech, LLC; Overland Park (KS); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health insurance

401(k) match

Education programs

Job summary

SPX Cooling Technologies seeks an experienced NPD Program Manager to lead planning, coordination, and execution of advanced product development from concept through commercialization. You will partner with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Sourcing, Quality, Sales, and other cross-functional teams to meet scope, schedule, cost, quality, and performance targets.

The role requires a strong engineering foundation and proven program management leadership to drive complex cross-functional

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in engineering, product development, program management, or a related technical environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex new product development or engineering programs from concept through launch.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing projects involving multiple technical and business disciplines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate program status, risks, and recommendations to technical teams and business leadership.
• Strong ability to coordinate people and resources without losing focus on project priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and drive resolution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project planning or scheduling tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple complex new product development programs from initial concept and project definition through design, validation, launch, and commercialization.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans defining scope, deliverables, schedules, milestones, resources, dependencies, and key decision points.
• Establish clear ownership and accountability for project deliverables and ensure cross-functional teams execute against established commitments.
• Maintain appropriate rigor and discipline throughout the NPD process while balancing speed, technical risk, business priorities, and resource constraints.
• Cross-Functional Technical Leadership
• Lead cross-functional program teams consisting of Engineering, Product Management, Sourcing, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Sales, and other functions as required.
• Serve as the primary coordination point between technical and business functions throughout the product development process.
• Facilitate technical and business discussions necessary to resolve issues, evaluate alternatives, and maintain program momentum.
• Ensure technical requirements, customer needs, manufacturability, quality expectations, cost objectives, and commercialization requirements are appropriately integrated into program execution.
• Program Governance, Risk, & Performance
• Establish and manage program milestones, stage reviews, decision points, and other governance mechanisms required by the NPD process.
• Proactively identify technical, schedule, resource, cost, supplier, and execution risks and ensure appropriate mitigation and recovery plans are developed.
• Develop and maintain program metrics and reporting tools that provide visibility to project health, milestones, risks, resource needs, and overall NPD portfolio performance.
• Conduct regular program reviews with project teams and leadership, escalating critical issues and facilitating timely decisions when necessary.
• NPD Process & Continuous Improvement
• Champion consistent application of the organization’s NPD process, tools, standards, and project management practices across development programs.
• Identify and implement improvements to NPD processes that increase execution speed, predictability, accountability, and overall effectiveness.
• Capture lessons learned from completed programs and integrate improvements into future product development activities.
• Partner with Engineering and business leadership to improve resource planning, project prioritization, portfolio visibility, and overall NPD execution capability.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Engineering background

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Risk management

Scheduling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Civil Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project planning tools

Project management software

Job description

SPX Cooling Technologies is a leader in high quality industrial HVAC equipment used to cool large facilities like hospitals, data centers, and power plants. With cooling towers, fans, and refrigeration units, companies rely on brands like Marley, Recold, and SGS to provide comfort and mission critical and industrial cooling solutions

How you will make an Impact (Job Summary)

SPX is a diverse team of unique individuals who all make an impact. The New Product Development (NPD) Program Manager is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and disciplined execution of new product development programs from concept through commercialization. This highly technical role partners with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Sourcing, Quality, Sales, and other cross-functional stakeholders to translate product development objectives into well-defined project plans and ensure programs are executed against established scope, schedule, cost, quality, and performance expectations.

The NPD Program Manager provides leadership across multiple development programs, establishing consistent processes, milestones, accountability, and visibility to ensure projects progress effectively through the NPD process. The role proactively identifies risks, resolves barriers, facilitates cross-functional decisions, and communicates program status to business and technical leadership. Success requires a strong engineering foundation combined with program management expertise, business judgment, and the ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives through influence and accountability.

This role encourages innovation and continuously improves efficiency of technical support, monitors advances of technology and competition, and supports global and acquisition-related technical issues in areas of expertise.

What you can expect in this role (Job Responsibilities)

While each day brings new opportunities at SPX, your core responsibilities will be:

• Lead multiple complex new product development programs from initial concept and project definition through design, validation, launch, and commercialization.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans defining scope, deliverables, schedules, milestones, resources, dependencies, and key decision points.
• Establish clear ownership and accountability for project deliverables and ensure cross-functional teams execute against established commitments.
• Maintain appropriate rigor and discipline throughout the NPD process while balancing speed, technical risk, business priorities, and resource constraints.
• Cross-Functional Technical Leadership
• Lead cross-functional program teams consisting of Engineering, Product Management, Sourcing, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Sales, and other functions as required.
• Serve as the primary coordination point between technical and business functions throughout the product development process.
• Facilitate technical and business discussions necessary to resolve issues, evaluate alternatives, and maintain program momentum.
• Ensure technical requirements, customer needs, manufacturability, quality expectations, cost objectives, and commercialization requirements are appropriately integrated into program execution.
• Program Governance, Risk, & Performance
• Establish and manage program milestones, stage reviews, decision points, and other governance mechanisms required by the NPD process.
• Proactively identify technical, schedule, resource, cost, supplier, and execution risks and ensure appropriate mitigation and recovery plans are developed.
• Develop and maintain program metrics and reporting tools that provide visibility to project health, milestones, risks, resource needs, and overall NPD portfolio performance.
• Conduct regular program reviews with project teams and leadership, escalating critical issues and facilitating timely decisions when necessary.
• NPD Process & Continuous Improvement
• Champion consistent application of the organization’s NPD process, tools, standards, and project management practices across development programs.
• Identify and implement improvements to NPD processes that increase execution speed, predictability, accountability, and overall effectiveness.
• Capture lessons learned from completed programs and integrate improvements into future product development activities.
• Partner with Engineering and business leadership to improve resource planning, project prioritization, portfolio visibility, and overall NPD execution capability.

What we are looking for (Required/Ideal Experience, Skills, Education)

We each bring something to the table, and we are looking for someone who has:

Required Experience & Skills

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in engineering, product development, program management, or a related technical environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex new product development or engineering programs from concept through launch.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing projects involving multiple technical and business disciplines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate program status, risks, and recommendations to technical teams and business leadership.
• Strong ability to coordinate people and resources without losing focus on project priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and drive resolution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project planning or scheduling tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Ability to work effectively in both office and laboratory/test environments.

Ideal Experience & Skills

• Strong technical foundation with the ability to understand complex engineering concepts, requirements, risks, and tradeoffs.
• Strong program and project management skills, including scope, schedule, resource, risk, and milestone management.
• Strong process orientation and ability to establish structure and discipline around complex development activities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex programs and competing priorities in a fast-paced product development environment.
• Strong business judgment and ability to balance technical requirements with schedule, cost, quality, and commercial objectives.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and development of more effective NPD processes and tools.
• Experience within HVAC, industrial equipment, engineered products, or a related industry preferred.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
• Project or program management certification (PMP or similar) preferred but not required.
• Onsite office environment, Monday - Friday; Hybrid work schedule available after satisfactory completion of probationary period.
• The position may require working occasionally outside normal work hours.
• Lifting up to 70 pounds.
• Bending and stooping.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally.
• Working at heights less than 50 feet above ground.
• Work with exposure to bad weather and/or excessive heat.

How we live our culture

Our culture is at the center of what we do and, more importantly, who we are. Our core values set a standard for how we manage ourselves, and our Leadership Model sets the standard for how we engage with each other. Whether you are an individual contributor or you lead a large team, each of us leads at SPX.

What benefits do we offer?

We know that the well-being of our employees is integral. Our benefits include:

• Generous and flexible paid time off including paid personal time off, caregiver, parental, and volunteer leave
• Competitive health insurance plans and 401(k) match, with benefits starting day one
• Competitive and performance-based compensation packages and bonus plans
• Educational assistance, leadership development programs, and recognition programs

Our commitment to embrace diversity to build a culture of inclusion at SPX

We value different backgrounds, experiences, and voices at SPX, and we are committed to challenging ourselves, openly communicating, and striving to improve every day. We believe in creating an inclusive work environment where everyone has a voice and is encouraged to realize their fullest potential.

SPX is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer committed to making selection decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.