Program Manager - New Product Development

Elkay Manufacturing; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus eligibility

Medical and life insurance

Matching 401(k)

Job summary

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation in Downers Grove, IL, is seeking a Program Manager for New Product Development to lead cross-functional teams from concept to launch. You will drive timelines, cost, quality, and launch readiness across Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Sourcing to ensure successful NPD outcomes.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience in complex product development, a strong grasp of stage-gate processes, and excellent communication skills to align

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years’ experience leading complex cross-functional product development programs.
• Experience operating within stage-gate or formal NPD processes; PMP a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own successful execution of NPD programs from initiation through launch.
• Drive scheduling, cost, quality, and performance objectives.
• Develop and manage integrated program timelines and critical paths.
• Identify risks and lead mitigation and recovery plans.
• Accelerate timelines by managing cross-functional dependencies.
• Enforce NPD process rigor and stage-gate deliverables.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Program management

Risk mitigation

Stage-gate process

Product development lifecycle

Effective communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or related field

Master degree preferred

Job description

Program Manager - New Product Development

The Company

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!

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 throughunderstandingofcross-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 orrelated field,Masterdegree preferred
• 8+ years’ experienceleading 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 designand 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!

Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran