Sr NPD Project Leader

Kohler Co.; Kohler (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive total rewards package

Career growth opportunities

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Culture of innovation

Job summary

Kohler Co. is seeking a seasoned New Product Development project leader to drive regional and global initiatives within North America. You will lead cross‑functional teams through the KBDP process, managing scope, risk and budget to achieve on‑time market launches.

Responsibilities include guiding design and manufacturing decisions, mentoring team members, and communicating progress to senior management. Travel 10–20% and collaboration with international partners are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a product development related discipline with a minimum of 8 years of experience in concurrent product development (project management, product design, process engineering or manufacturing engineering).
• Proven ability to build cohesive high‑performance teams, improve development processes and communicate effectively with associates and executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional and global projects of moderate to high complexity, risk and business impact.
• Provide structure and leadership for solving technically complex design and business problems.
• Proactively identify and plan for project risks, communicating risk clearly to management.
• Manage timing and financial adherence to plan for assigned projects.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in product development

Job description

As a member of a New Product Development project team:

• Focus on product categories for North America region including
  regional and global projects.
• Lead product
  development teams to launch innovative new products and improve the
  quality, performance and/or cost of existing products.
• Manage cross functional teams using the KBDP new product
  development process through market launch. Drive each Program to defined metrics.
• Develop and manage
  the project budget with the team including development expense, capital
  tooling and expense tooling. Guide the team to develop new products that
  meet cost targets.
• Develop and monitor project schedules and adhere to the KBDP
  process. Manage deliverables and tasks within each phase of a
  project. Anticipates and manages
  tasks/risks within each project.
• Participate in performance expectations and evaluations for cross
  functional teams. Provide leadership
  and mentoring to less experienced team members as needed.
• Communicate to senior management on project status, execution
  plans, and process.
• Define and facilitate decision‑making process for development
  teams. Coaches project team
  personnel to develop and implement cross‑functional solutions to complex
  issues.
• Establish and maintain relationships with senior management for the
  purpose of aligning NPD objectives and removing obstacles for project
  completion.
• Drive improvements in creative problem solving and continually
  improve the KBDP process and organization.
  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead regional and global projects of moderate‑to‑high complexity, risk and business impact.
• Provide structure and leadership for solving technically complex design and business problems.
• Proactively identify and plan for project risks, communicating risk clearly, early and appropriately to management
• Managing your assigned projects' timing and financial adherence to plan.
  

Project Management:

Leadership

• Challenge project teams to achieve innovative solutions.
• Willing and successful in taking moderate risk.
• Identify opportunities for organizational and process change.
• Work effectively when organizational structure or processes are unclear or conflicting.
• Able to facilitate & resolve conflict and problem solving.

Decision‑making

• Make decisions with moderate levels of ambiguity.
• Chooses appropriate action and alternatives with rationale that is consistent with facts, constraints, and predicted consequences.
• Take independent action with insight into global and regional business impact.
• Willing to speak up and raise concern in global and regional settings.Provide options, scenarios and recommendations to overcome obstacles.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a product development related discipline (e.g. Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, or Design) with a minimum of 8 years of experience in concurrent product development (project management, product design, process engineering or manufacturing engineering).
• Must demonstrate the capability to build cohesive high-performance teams, improve development processes and communicate effectively with associates and executives.
• Global product development experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to travel 10-20% including international.

CUSTOM.PAY.TRANSPARENCY

Why Choose Kohler?

We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with

• competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing
• access to career growth and development opportunities
• a diverse and inclusive workplace
• a strong culture of innovation

About Us

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail]. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.