Program Manager - New Product Development

Zurn Elkay (Elkay Manufacturing); Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Annual Bonus Eligibility

Educational Reimbursement

Matching 401(k) Contribution

Job summary

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is seeking a Program Manager for New Product Development. This role is essential in driving the execution of NPD programs from concept to launch, ensuring quality and performance objectives are met.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in managing cross-functional teams and product development programs. The position is based in Downers Grove, Illinois, offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience leading complex cross-functional product development programs.
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycle and manufacturing readiness.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence at all organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Own successful execution of NPD programs from initiation through commercial launch.
• Drive achievement of committed program timing, cost, quality, and performance objectives.
• Develop and actively manage integrated program timelines.
• Facilitate effective executive and core team communication.

Skills

Leadership

Risk Mitigation

Project Management

Communication

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Product Development Lifecycle

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PMP Certification

Job description

Program Manager - New Product Development

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation is a thriving, values-driven company focused on doing the right things. We're a fast growing, publicly traded company (NYSE: ZWS), with an enduring reputation for integrity, giving back, and providing an engaging, inclusive environment where careers flourish and grow.

Named by Newsweek as One of America's Most Responsible Companies and an Energage USA Top Workplace, at Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, we never forget that our people are at the center of what makes us successful. They are the driving force behind our superior quality, product ingenuity, and exceptional customer experience. Our commitment to our people and their professional development is a recipe for success that has fueled our growth for over 100 years, as one of today's leading international suppliers of plumbing and water delivery solutions.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation employs over 2800 employees worldwide, working from 24 locations across the U.S., China, Canada, Dubai, and Mexico, with sales offices available around the globe. We hope you'll visit our website and learn more about Zurn Elkay at zurnelkay.com.

If you're ready to join a company where what you do makes a difference and you have pride in the work you are doing, talk to us about joining the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation family!

If you are a current employee, please navigate here to apply internally.

This position has overall responsibility for driving successful execution and delivery of new product development (NPD) programs from concept through launch. The Program Manager serves as the cross-functional leader responsible for achieving program objectives related to schedule, cost, quality, and launch readiness.

This role partners closely with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to proactively drive accountability, manage interdependencies, mitigate risks, resolve execution challenges, and ensure adherence to the NPD process.

The ideal candidate is a highly proactive leader who drives alignment, accelerates timelines, removes barriers, and owns program outcomes.

Reports to: Sr. Director, Product Management.

Key Focus Areas

• Own successful execution of NPD programs from initiation through commercial launch
• Drive achievement of committed program timing, cost, quality, and performance objectives
• Develop and actively manage integrated program timelines, including critical path identification and recovery planning
• Proactively identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and lead countermeasure activities to address deviations
• Drive timeline acceleration opportunities through understanding of cross-functional dependencies and execution tradeoffs
• Enforce NPD process rigor, including stage-gate deliverables, standard work, and launch readiness requirements
• Identify gaps in current NPD processes and standard work; partner cross-functionally to improve execution effectiveness
• Hold cross-functional teams accountable to commitments, deliverables, and action items
• Lead program escalation discussions with clear problem statements, options, recommendations, and recovery plans
• Facilitate effective executive and core team communication with clear prioritization of risks, decisions, and actions
• Coordinate across Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to ensure successful launches
• Drive decision-making and issue resolution to avoid program delays
• Establish program governance, tracking mechanisms, and operating cadence to ensure visibility and accountability
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to NPD execution and program management effectiveness

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or related field, Master degree preferred
• 8+ years' experience leading complex cross-functional product development programs
• PMP Certification a plus
• Demonstrated success managing schedule recovery, risk mitigation, and cross-functional execution
• Experience operating within stage-gate or formal NPD process
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycle, manufacturing readiness, validation processes, sourcing, regulatory considerations, and commercial launch requirements
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Energy and desire to deliver high-quality projects on tight schedules
• Candidate should have strong and effective decision-making skills
• Strong leadership presence with ability to influence at all organizational levels
• Strong interpersonal skills, positive attitude, an ability to engage and create trust in others to build and foster team relationships
• Possess strong organization skills and ability to multitask
• Strong ability to coach and mentor resources
• Possesses general understanding in the areas of mechanical product design and manufacturing

Total Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
• Matching 401(k) Contribution
• Health Savings Account
• Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure)
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Annual Bonus Eligibility
• Educational Reimbursement
• Matching Gift Program
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan - purchase company stock at a discount!

THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Zurn Elkay, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.

Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran