Program Manager, VC

BASIC FUNCTION
This role will act as a Program Manager - India with an emphasis on executing new product launches both in India region and globally as needed.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination and Project Management of New Product Development projects/ Migration Projects.

Manage cross functional teams using the KBDP new product development process as a backbone but with the approach of a Founders Mentality - 1) a frontline obsession, 2) an owner s mindset and 3) an insurgent mission
Act as Program Leader and execute project management duties on New Product Development / Migration projects through the defined D gate process (KBDP )
Support Marketing on prioritization of NPS road maps and resource planning for executing NPD
Lead cross functional teams through the development of a project timeline and maintain it throughout the life of the project. Periodically present the status of the project to management.
Drive the supporting teams like Engineering , Manufacturing, Sourcing & Supply chain towards on time completion of the pre-production build and pilot build on NPD projects.
Facilitate and coordinate project activities to minimize project timelines.
Develop and manage the project budget with the team, including development expense, capital tooling and expense tooling for projects.
Guide the team to develop new products that meet cost targets. Primarily responsible for creating preliminary product cost estimates in conjunction with cross functional team.
Support Marketing and ID team during CR(Concept Review) & DR (Design Review process) by liaising with Engineering and Manufacturing team to drive cost and budget estimates and project feasibility study
Provide support to Director - Program Management for managing India Product Council (IPC) meetings and global Platform Team meetings as needed.
Work with Dept Heads, resource managers to get resource allocated for the projects.
Manage the collection of project data for NPD process gate exits and release for shipment documents.
Provide structure and leadership for solving technically-complex design and business problems.
Support Director - Program Management for managing India Toilets & Seats Protfolio and work closely with marketing and regional business leader on project prioritization activities.

Change Agent / Process improvement:

Regularly provide feedback and actively participate in the improvement of project management practices within the Program Management group.
Support Marketing on developing product Roadmaps and Prep for NPS meetings.

Leadership & Mentoring:

Assist/mentor less experienced team members, rotation program engineers as needed.
Provide development feedback on team members to their functional supervisors.
Support on managing IPC and Global Platform meetings and top project reviews in the region

RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS

Supervisory Relationships:
1. Direct Report to Director - Program Management.

Organization Relationships:
Frequent contact with:
1. Marketing/ Product Managers to coordinate completion of project business plan activities and solicit Marketing input throughout projects.
2. Frequent contact with Design Engineering to coordinate design phase of projects and review designs for manufacturability and assembly.
3. Frequent contact with Industrial Design on product/component aesthetics as it relates to project timelines and manufacturability.
4. Frequent contact with Purchasing to coordinate sourcing of components and exchange critical project cost, design and timing information.
5. Frequent contact with Manufacturing personnel to coordinate cost estimating, material routings, tooling & fixture building, pilot and production build of components and final sku s.
6. Frequent contact with Accounting to exchange product cost data, capital request ACT data and charge account information.
7. Occasional contact with India business leadership for IPC and management of regional priorities.
8. Occasional contact with Legal with reference to patent applications and infringements.
9. Occasional contact with Communications to coordinate products for photo shoots, etc.

External Business Relationships:

1. Contact with suppliers/vendors to exchange information regarding component status, costs, design, or timing.
2. Contact with consultants and outside engineers/firms to exchange information regarding project status, product design, materials or processes.
3. Attend related trade shows and seminars to investigate new materials, products and processes.

4. Occasional contact with customers in the field on targeted assignments.

Key performance indicators (KPI)

1. Time to Market.
2. Product Standard Cost.
3. Innovation.
4. Capital, 1-time Expense and Development Expense investments.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor s degree in a product development related discipline (e.g. Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Supply Chain) with a minimum of 10+ years of experience in project management. Experience in the development of consumer goods preferred.
2. Must demonstrate the capability to build cohesive, high-performance teams that relish the challenge of developing leading edge products aligned to end-consumer needs.
3. Experience in managing projects, working in cross-functional team environment, and/or functioning as project team leader required.
4. Strong organizational and communication skills required
5. Strong leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills.
6. Experience on MS Project / Teams / Project Online or other Project Management software.
7. MBA / PMP / Prince 2 certification would be added advantage.
8. Ability to travel 10-15% including international.