Project Manager - Product Lifecycle

Nidec Motor Corporation; Mankato (MN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus potential

Health, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with generous match

PTO & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Nidec Motor Corporation in Mankato, MN seeks a Project Manager - Product Lifecycle to drive end-to-end product initiatives from concept through design changes across multiple functions. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage scope, timelines, and resources, and ensure compliance and quality at key gates.

The role emphasizes strong stakeholder communication, experience with phase-gate processes, and a track record of delivering complex projects in manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading or working closely with cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with phase-gate, qualification, or regulated product processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management for assigned product initiatives, including but not limited to NPD, site qualifications, and design changes.
• Define project scope, objectives, timelines, deliverables, and resource requirements.
• Build and lead cross-functional teams spanning Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Marketing.
• Apply and adapt existing phase-gate, NPD, and qualification processes as appropriate.
• Track and manage business case throughout the project lifecycle, including schedule, cost, risk, and quality.
• Facilitate and lead gate reviews, executive updates, and stakeholder alignment.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, validation, and compliance requirements are met at gates of all projects.
• Identify risks early, drive mitigation plans, and elevate issues when required.
• Drive consistency and continuous improvement in project execution and process.
• Travel up to 25%. Off-hour meetings as necessary facilitating global teams as necessary.
• Perform and support additional tasks as required by leadership

Skills

Cross-functional teams

Communication

Phase-gate processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field

Job description

We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.

All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.

Job Summary

Nidec is the world's No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer handling "everything that spins and moves", miniature to gigantic. Nidec is a global enterprise comprised of over 300 subsidiaries/affiliates. We are a leading manufacturer of commercial motors, industrial motors, appliance motors, and controls. Our product line features a full line of high efficiency motors for industrial applications in water treatment, mining, oil and gas, and power generation, and for commercial applications such as pool and spa, condensers, cooling towers and large refrigeration units. From keeping us comfortable in our homes to pumping clean water to making our cars more safe, electric motors are an indispensable part of our daily lives. At Nidec, our employees are on the forefront of developing new motor technologies. As we move deeper into the age of robotics, the impact of motors will only increase. With over 140,000 employees stationed worldwide, Nidec continues to be a unique organization, and each location maintains its individual personality. Whether driving locomotives, powering offshore platforms or keeping the lights on after a storm, Nidec electric power generation products impact the world on a daily basis. With over 1,000 employees in the Americas, we are moving forward with technology to solve our customers' electrical power needs for both prime and backup generation needs as the industry's leading manufacturer.

Job Description

Shift: 1st Shift

Days of Work: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Work Location: On-site (Mankato, MN)

Starting Salary: $72,600 to $108,900 Annually

Pay Frequency: Bi-Weekly

At Nidec, we prioritize our team's well-being and success. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support you both personally and professionally. These are the great benefits we offer, with additional perks and programs available to enhance your overall experience with us.

• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary with additional bonus opportunities.

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective from your first day.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a best-in-class company match of 100% on the employee's first 6% with an additional 3% employer contribution to support your financial future.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous time off package, including PTO and holidays.

• Education Assistance: Tuition reimbursement and continuous learning opportunities to support your professional growth.

Position Objective

The Project Manager - Product Lifecycle is responsible for leading cross-functional product-related projects across the full product lifecycle, including but not limited to New Product Development, New Product Qualifications, and Product Design Changes. This role ensures that product initiatives are executed with discipline, transparency, and alignment to business objectives, quality standards, and customer requirements.

The ideal candidate brings strong project leadership experience in a manufacturing or engineered-product environment and can flex project rigor based on scope, risk, and complexity.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management for assigned product initiatives, including but not limited to NPD, new site qualifications, and design changes

• Define project scope, objectives, timelines, deliverables, and resource requirements

• Build and lead cross-functional teams spanning Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Marketing

• Apply and adapt existing phase-gate, NPD, and qualification processes as appropriate

• Track and manage business case throughout the project lifecycle, including schedule, cost, risk, and quality

• Facilitate and lead gate reviews, executive updates, and stakeholder alignment

• Ensure appropriate documentation, validation, and compliance requirements are met at appropriate gates of all projects

• Identify risks early, drive mitigation plans, and elevate issues when required

• Drive consistency and continuous improvement in product-related project execution and process

• Travel up to 25%. Off-hour meetings as necessary facilitating global teams as necessary.

• Perform and support additional tasks as required by leadership

Experience/Skills

• Demonstrated experience leading or working closely with cross-functional teams

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

• Experience with phase-gate, qualification, or regulated product processes

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP or equivalent certification

• Experience managing NPD and product lifecycle initiatives

• Background in multi-site manufacturing environments

• 2+ years of project management experience in manufacturing, engineering, or product development environments

Education

• Candidate must possess a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field

MUST BE A SOLE US CITIZEN

Additional Job Details

CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE: http://acim.nidec.com/generators/kato-engineering/about-us/katocareers

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiative Action at Nidec

Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

Work Shift Schedule

First Shift (United States of America)

No Soliciting

Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.