NPD Program Manager – Injection Molding Launch

Seaway Plastics Engineering; Vadnais Heights (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Seaway Plastics Engineering is seeking a Program Manager to lead New Product Development projects from purchase order through production readiness. You will coordinate customers, engineering, manufacturing, tooling, quality, and supply chain to launch new molds, parts, and assemblies on time and to spec.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in plastics injection molding or related manufacturing, with strong PM skills, proficiency in PM tools, and knowledge of ISO 13485/FDA regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, project management, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in plastics injection molding, contract manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, or a related technical manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience managing customer-facing projects from concept or purchase order through production launch.
• Knowledge of program management methods, project planning, risk tracking, and milestone management; PMP certification preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Smartsheet or Microsoft Project, as well as ERP/MRP systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and coordinate internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with secondary operations such as sonic welding, heat staking, pick and place, pad printing, light assembly, and automation preferred.
• CAD knowledge such as SolidWorks or Creo is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, scheduling, procurement, quality systems, and production launch requirements.
• Ability to understand project financials, tooling costs, timing impacts, and business-related project decisions.
• Strong customer service mindset with the ability to support sales, estimating, and new business opportunities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple active projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and commitment to continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles.
• Understanding of ISO 13485 and FDA regulations, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer programs during the NPD process.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, timelines, milestone trackers, and launch documentation.
• Lead internal project meetings and ensure action items, owners, and due dates are clearly defined and followed through.
• Coordinate customer communications, project updates, open issue resolution, and follow-up on required information.
• Partner with Process, Manufacturing, and Quality Engineers to support mold trials, process development, validation, and production readiness activities.
• Work with tooling teams and external suppliers to track tool builds, engineering changes, repairs, fixtures, and related deliverables.
• Collaborate with quality, production, purchasing, and supply chain to ensure materials, documentation, inspections, and approvals are completed on time.
• Identify project risks, timing concerns, cost impacts, and resource constraints, and communicate escalation needs to leadership.
• Support quoting, estimating, sales, and customer development activities by providing technical and program-related input.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of NPD processes, project tracking methods, and communication tools.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional coordination

Communication skills

Lean manufacturing

Risk management

Vendor liaison

Knowledge of ISO 13485 & FDA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, project management, or related field

PMP certification (preferred)

Tools

Smartsheet

Microsoft Project

ERP/MRP systems

SolidWorks

Job description

Seaway Plastics Engineering is seeking a Program Manager to lead New Product Development projects from purchase order through production readiness. You will coordinate customers, engineering, manufacturing, tooling, quality, and supply chain to launch new molds, parts, and assemblies on time and to spec.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in plastics injection molding or related manufacturing, with strong PM skills, proficiency in PM tools, and knowledge of ISO 13485/FDA regulations.