NPD Project Manager II

We are Generac, a leading energy technology company committed to powering a smarter world.

Over the 60 plus years of Generac’s history, we’ve been dedicated to energy innovation. From creating the home standby generator market category, to our current evolution into an energy technology solutions company, we continue to push new boundaries.

The NPD Project Manager II is responsible for planning and executing product development activities including new product introductions, cost reduction, technology integration, and lifecycle product support.  The position requires strong technical and cross-functional product development and business process knowledge, superior people leadership skills, functional and project management experience, proficiency in quality systems, and business planning knowledge.

The position partners equally with Product Management, Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Service, Finance, IT, and Marketing to drive disciplined decision-making, phase-gate execution, and predictable delivery of customer-focused products. This leadership role is responsible for planning and executing product development project plans which ensure superior products for Customers. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent work experience
• 7 years of progressive work experience in new product development, program/project management, product management, of machinery, generators, or other powered products & systems.
• 5 years of project management experience in product development supporting complex, cross functional product development initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership of full lifecycle NPD programs using a formal phase-gate style process
• Experience driving cross-functional alignment without direct authority
• Exposure to industrial, commercial, or powered products environments

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide project management leadership to teams for new product development projects including:  creating schedules, building product development plans, integrating the activities of cross-functional team members
• Implement product requirements into project scope, design and product realization requirements
• Lead key project execution, in primary collaboration with engineering and product management for new product development or similar product initiatives
• Plan and execute multiple large, complex projects to meet or exceed schedule, project cost, scope and quality commitments
• Achieve target product cost for Generac and product life cycle cost for Customers
• Effectively execute and provide suggestions for improvement the product development process. Utilize the Generac Development Process (GDP) Gates and Design Reviews as key drivers of product development progression.
• Define and drive Risk and Mitigation plans for projects.  Define and lead contingency option assessments when needed, then select and execute mitigation plans
• Facilitate collaboration between departments to identify and harvest new product development concepts, technologies, techniques, standards and procedures.
• Manage attributes and decisions such as make vs. buy (globally), shipping and logistics cost, bidding process
• Actively participate in identifying and implementing continuous process improvements of the Generac NPI phase/gate process.  Lead some CI initiatives in this area.
• Identify, evaluate and document “lessons-learned” during the project and communicate best practices and lessons learned to project team members on future projects

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced level ability to deliver results while working simultaneously on multiple projects; balancing resources, timing and quality of outcomes
• Advanced level ability to lead the transformation from product requirements into a product design and realization plan to meet or exceed the product and business goals
• Demonstrated ability to influence people and cross functional teams who are not direct reports
• Advanced team building and leadership skills
• Strong understanding of engineering technical issues/needs, manufacturing, supply chain, service, customer service, financial, sales, and marketing as related to product design and development
• Advanced communication skills both within cross functional teams and with leadership stakeholders
• Self-driven, highly motivated, flexible and with a high capacity to learn

Level of Independence: Works independently with minimal guidance from the Director - Project Management. 

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk.  On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel.

“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”