R&D Project Manager

Curt G. Joa, Inc.; Sheboygan Falls (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Curt G. Joa, Inc. is seeking an R&D Project Manager to oversee the portfolio of research and development initiatives from opportunity through market launch.

You will coordinate priorities and guide teams across engineering, manufacturing, and product management to ensure timely delivery of innovative machines and processes. The role requires strong leadership, communication and budgeting skills, with responsibility for guiding major machine platform projects through design reviews, validation,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business Administration, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of engineering and/or project management experience.
• Strong oral and written communication with engineering and manufacturing staff and customers.
• Strong leadership abilities including recruiting, training, motivating employees, and managing budgets.
• Knowledge of converting equipment design principles.
• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Manage the priority and progress of the projects within the innovation funnel.
• Lead preparation and deliverable creation for stage gate reviews.
• Lead cross functional teams through project decision making.
• Prepare budget documents.
• Direct the concept, design, build and testing of the innovation or aftermarket project through validation and launch to market.
• Lead through influence and interact with engineers, assembly personnel, and technicians to meet milestones.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Marketing to establish the project schedule and monitor progress.
• Prepare and deliver periodic R&D project status reports.

Skills

Team Leadership

Decisive Judgement

Planning & Organization

Driving for Results

Customer Service

Negotiation

Interpersonal Relationships

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SUMMARY:

The R&D Project Manager is responsible for managing the portfolio of R&D projects, coordinating priority, and providing direction utilizing the Joa product development process from opportunity through market implementation.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Team Leadership
• Decisive Judgement
• Planning and Organization
• Driving for Results
• Customer Service
• Negotiation
• Interpersonal Relationships

DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Project Portfolio Management

• Manages the priority and progress of the projects within the innovation funnel.
• Leads preparation and deliverable creation for stage gate reviews.
• Leads cross functional teams through project decision making.
• Prepares budget documents.

Project Leadership

• May lead projects and/or guide Project Engineers.
• Directs the concept, design, build and testing of the innovation or aftermarket project through validation and launch to market.
• Leads through influence.
• Interacts with engineers, assembly personnel and technicians to ensure milestones are completed on time and all issues are resolved timely.
• In collaboration with Product Management and Marketing, establish the project schedule.
• Monitor and control project progress.

Communication

• Prepare and deliver the periodic R&D project status report presentation.
• Conveys priority and decisions to R&D project staff.

Other

• Contribute to continuous improvement of the Joa Product Development Process.
• Interact with the platform leader on changes with the machine design and communicates all changes throughout the organization.
• Participate in design reviews and comply with design standards.
• Share technical knowledge and project management expertise with other company personnel.
• Ensure security of company proprietary information and equipment.
• Be given the responsibility of managing one or more of the major machine platforms (Pant, Brief or Baby Diaper).

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

(To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.)

• Requires education generally equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or equivalent experience. It is desirable for incumbents to have advanced training in engineering or business administration and specific training relating to project management.
• Requires 5+ years of engineering, and/or project management experience.
• Requires strong oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with engineering and manufacturing staff and customers concerning equipment design and construction issues.
• Requires strong leadership abilities to inspire and coach employees to accomplish strategic and tactical goals and related tasks. This includes abilities that correspond to leadership, such as recruiting, selecting, training, motivating employees, and managing employee performance, developing and executing strategic business plans, and developing and administering project budgets.
• Requires strong knowledge of converting equipment design principles.
• Requires the ability to use a personnel computer and Microsoft office software (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, etc).

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work a full day on a computer.
• Capability to lift and move objects weighing up to twenty-five pounds.
• Proficiency in using hand tools and monitoring/testing equipment.
• Occasional ability to climb a ladder and maneuver into tight spaces.
• Capability to work in a loud environment without air conditioning during machine commissioning and problem-solving.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (safety shoes, glasses, ear protection).
• Travel: Must be willing to travel for company business, including up to approximately 20% international and domestic travel.