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, embodying a Founders Mentality: frontline obsession, owner's mindset, and insurgent mission
• Act as Program Leader and execute project management duties through the D-gate process (KBDP)
• Support Marketing in prioritizing NPS roadmaps and resource planning for executing NPD
• Lead project timeline development and maintain through the life cycle; periodically present status to management
• Drive Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing & Supply Chain teams to complete pre-production and pilot builds on time
• Facilitate and coordinate activities to minimize project timelines
• Develop/manage project budgets including development, capital, and expense tooling
• Guide cost-target development for new products and create preliminary cost estimates with the team
• Liaise between Marketing, ID, Engineering, and Manufacturing during concept/design review to drive cost and feasibility
• Support Director Program Management in managing IPC and Global Platform meetings
• Secure resource allocation from department heads
• Manage project data for NPD process gates and shipment releases
• Provide structure and leadership for solving technically complex problems
• Collaborate on prioritization of India Toilets & Seats portfolio with marketing and business leaders

Change Agent / Process Improvement

• Regularly provide feedback and participate in improving project management practices
• Support marketing with roadmap development and NPS prep

Leadership & Mentoring

• Mentor junior team members and rotation engineers
• Provide developmental feedback to functional supervisors
• Support execution of IPC and Global Platform meetings and regional top project reviews

RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS

Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to Director Program Management

Organizational Relationships

• Frequent contact with:
• Marketing/Product Managers for business plan activities
• Design Engineering for design phases and manufacturability
• Industrial Design for aesthetic reviews
• Purchasing for component sourcing and cost exchange
• Manufacturing for cost estimation, routings, tooling, builds
• Accounting for cost data and capital request info
• Occasional contact with:
• Business leadership for IPC and priorities
• Legal for patents and infringements
• Communications for photo shoots

External Business Relationships

• Suppliers/vendors for component design, status, and cost
• Consultants/outside firms for materials, design, and processes
• Attendance at trade shows/seminars
• Occasional customer field contact

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

• Time to Market
• Product Standard Cost
• Innovation
• Capital, One-time Expense, and Development Expense Investments

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related discipline
• 10+ years of project management experience; consumer goods preferred
• Experience leading high-performance cross-functional teams
• Skilled in team-based project environments
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with MS Project, MS Teams, Project Online, or similar tools
• MBA/PMP/Prince2 preferred
• Ability to travel 10-15%, including international