Program Manager

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

Willow Lake, 1185 Willow Lake Blvd., Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 24, 2026 at 4:00 AM

PURPOSE: The Program Manager is responsible for leading assigned New Product Development (NPD) projects from purchase order through production readiness. This role coordinates cross-functional activities with customers, engineering, manufacturing, tooling, quality, supply chain, sales, and operations to ensure new injection molds, parts, and assemblies are developed, qualified, and launched on time, within scope, and to customer specifications.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Manage assigned NPD projects from purchase order through production-ready release
• Establish project scope, milestones, timelines, deliverables, and customer expectations
• Provide regular project updates, maintain action trackers, and elevate risks or barriers as needed
• Coordinate with manufacturing engineering, tooling, quality, supply chain, sales, and operations to support successful project execution
• Support tooling activities including new tools, repairs, engineering changes, fixtures, outsourcing, and on-time delivery
• Track project performance, timing, open issues, and key metrics related to launch readiness
• Ensure smooth transition of projects from NPD into production through clear communication and cross-functional alignment

KEY 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

QUALITIES FOR SUCCESS:

• Demonstrates Seaway Plastics Core Values
  • We are customer focused
  • We execute
  • We win together
  • We are respectful
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, project management, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered
• 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 but not required
• 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
• Comprehensive skills using Microsoft Office programs; basic 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 applicable compliance requirements and design controls, including ISO 13485 and FDA regulations, preferred
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments and with customers
• Well organized, detail-oriented, and goal oriented
• Valid identification and the ability to legally work in the United States
• Competitive spirit, but plays within the rules
• Travel +/- 15%

For California Residents
We may collect the following categories of personal information in connection with the submission of your resume or application materials to us for employment, and if hired, your employment with us: identifiers (e.g., name, address, email address, birthdate); personal records (e.g., telephone number, signature, education information, criminal background information, passport number and visa information); consumer characteristics (e.g., sex, marital status, veteran status, race, disability, sexual orientation); professional or employment information (e.g., resume, cover letter, employment history, background check forms, references, certificates, transcripts and languages spoken); and inferences from personal information collected (e.g., a profile reflecting abilities and aptitudes).
The above categories of personal information are collected for the following business purposes: performing recruitment and hiring services; processing interactions and transactions (e.g., to comply with federal and state laws requiring us to maintain certain records, managing the workforce); and security (e.g., detecting security incidents, protecting against fraudulent or illegal activity).

For additional details and questions, contact us at [e-mail]

Willow Lake, 1185 Willow Lake Blvd., Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, United States of America