Senior Project Manager – R&D NPD

Jobtailor; Morris Plains (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Morris Plains, NJ seeks a seasoned New Product Development Program Manager to lead cross‑functional teams from ideation through scale‑up to commercial launch. You will own plans, timelines, budgets and risk management, coordinating with R&D, manufacturing and supply chain to deliver on aggressive product milestones.

The ideal candidate has a science or engineering background, 6–8 years of NPD leadership in a matrix organization, and proven ability to influence without direct

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related) is required.
• 6–8 years of experience leading complex, multiyear NPD programs in a matrix organization.
• Willing to travel up to 20%.
• Proven accomplishments in leading new molecule and new material projects from ideation through commercialization.
• Proficiency in Excel, MS Project, financial modeling and Planisware.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams with or without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Manage all activities of the NPD process phases: Ideation, Scoping, Concept, Development, Scale-up, and launch.
• Liaise between project management, planning, and cross‑functional teams; manage communications with stakeholders.
• Develop project plan, risk‑based timeline and budget; monitor progress and deliver milestones.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to identify risks, mitigate them, perform root-cause analysis, and drive CAPA.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Tools

MS Project

Excel

Planisware

Financial modeling

Job description

• Manage all activities of the New Product Development Process phases: Ideation, Scoping, Concept, Development, Scale-up, and commercial launch.
• Oversees and manages the operational aspects of ongoing projects and serves as liaison between project management and planning, project team, and cross‑functional teams management.
• Develop project plan, risk‑based timeline and budget to support project goals, including tracking and monitoring activities
• Lead cross‑functional teams through identification of risks & mitigations, problem resolution and root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action.
• Manage project communications to all stakeholders (project teams, functional managers, and senior management)
• Ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory requirements, where applicable.
• Facilitating the exchange of information between departments on a day‑to‑day basis and maintaining liaison with all members of the project team.
• Lead the team to prepare for and execute Phase Gate. Represent the team with RAS leaders, ensuring such decisions are informed by a balanced and clearly articulated representation of the relevant data.
• Develop a mentality of collaboration, execution, and continuous improvement within the program through these mechanisms.
• Leverage technical acumen to partner with R&D, manufacturing, and ISC teams, monitor development progress, and ensure alignment between technical deliverables and program timelines
• Collaborate and act as the key liaison between cross‑functional and external vendors.
• Knowledge of specialty materials industries beneficial integrating science and technology into business processes.
• Exceptional analytical, critical thinking and problem‑solving skills coupled to strong business, strategic and financial knowledge.
• Expert in the development and deployment of program management tools and techniques including methods for tracking progress, risk management and delivery of major milestones.
• Understanding of engineering development lifecycles and the ability to translate technical inputs into program‑level actions and timelines
• Excellent influencing skills with the ability to achieve challenging goals through others without direct authority across different functions and external partners. Drive for accountability within self and others.
• Proven project management experience with delivering medium‑to large‑scale projects from concept through delivery and operations
• Relentless advocacy for the customer with a focus on meeting or exceeding customer requirements. Driving the team to make trade‑offs that optimize customer and business value while maintaining program velocity and outcomes that sustain the highest standards of quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering related is required (e.g, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material sciences, or related sciences)
• Proven 6-8 years of experience in successfully leading complex, multiyear new product development programs delivered through high performing cross‑functional teams based in a matrix organization.
• Willing to travel up to 20%.
• Demonstrated accomplishments in leading new molecule and new material projects from ideation through commercialization within a technology, chemical, or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Excel, MS Project, financial modeling, and project portfolio management tools (e.g. Planisware)
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams with or without formal authority