NPI Program Lead: Cross-Functional Product Launch

James Hardie; Wilmington (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Bonus plan

Wellness programs

Job summary

James Hardie is seeking an experienced NPI Manager to lead development and launch of new products across multiple manufacturing sites and product lines. You will drive cross-functional teams through Stage-Gate, ensuring on-time, high-quality launches while balancing cost and performance.

In this Engineering leadership role, you will collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to optimize readiness, scale production, and continuously improve the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering, manufacturing, or other technical teams
• 2+ years of experience in product development, process engineering, manufacturing engineering, or New Product Introduction within a manufacturing environment
• Proven success leading large-scale NPI projects through a Stage-Gate or similar product development process
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), FMEA, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process validation methodologies
• Excellent project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple New Product Introduction (NPI) projects through the Stage-Gate process, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and launch objectives are achieved
• Manage cross-functional project teams spanning Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Commercial functions
• Drive product commercialization efforts from concept development through full-scale production
• Lead project reviews and provide executive-level updates on project status, risks, timelines, and key business decisions
• Identify and mitigate technical, operational, and supply chain risks using structured problem-solving and risk management tools
• Ensure Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles are incorporated early in the product development process
• Oversee production trials, validation activities, and manufacturing ramp-up across multiple sites
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to develop scalable production processes and define capital investment requirements
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators including quality, cost, manufacturability, and time-to-market
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the NPI process utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, FMEA, and other data-driven methodologies
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements
• Promote effective knowledge transfer, documentation, and best practices across the organization

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelors degree in Engineering

Tools

DFM

FMEA

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

James Hardie is seeking an experienced NPI Manager to lead development and launch of new products across multiple manufacturing sites and product lines. You will drive cross-functional teams through Stage-Gate, ensuring on-time, high-quality launches while balancing cost and performance.

In this Engineering leadership role, you will collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to optimize readiness, scale production, and continuously improve the