Project Manager Process Improvement-New Product Development

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Based out of our newly opened Product Development Center Headquarters in Lebanon, TN (30 minutes east of Nashville), this role is eligible to participate in our remote work program, which allows employees to work remotely up to two days per week.  New employees in eligible roles can apply for this program after successfully completing their initial 90 days of employment.  This role is also eligible for relocation assistance.

Please Note: At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Primary Function

This Project Manager is responsible for leading a high-visibility global project to support the continued implementation and improvement of our Lean Product and Process Development process.  The role will work with a cross-functional team and NPD Subject Matter Experts to drive the implementation.  This role owns the process documentation, developing executive communications, and managing the change control board.  This role is expected to use an agile project management approach and Lean tools & processes to deliver value frequently on the project timeline. This role is also expected to lead the Project Management Community of Practice. This position reports to the Enterprise Excellence Manager for Product Development, within the Chief Technology Officer’s staff.

Scope of Responsibility

• Lead a cross-functional team to implement a revamped Lean New Product Development (NPD) process across North America
• Lead change management work and communications activities in support of a revamped NPD process
• Own delivery of effective and easy to consume process documentation
• Continuously improve the NPD process based on lessons learned from NPD projects across the organization
• Lead the NPD Project Management Community of Practice
• Travel: 5-20% depending on job assignment.  International travel may be required.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Serve as Project Manager for the implementation of the revamped New Product Development (NPD) process

• Coordinate and manage activity of the implementation core team
• Identify, resolve, and escalate issues which might affect project success
• Partner with the Subject Matter Experts to ensure:
• Consistency in defining and documenting NPD processes

• Identification and closing of gaps between current and future state of organizational knowledge
• Assessment and improvement of organizational acceptance of the new process
• Identification and implementation of continuous improvement opportunities for NPD process
• Lead the Change Management efforts needed to ensure the adoption of NPD tools, processes, and Lean culture throughout the organization

• Communicate with senior executives & the general organization

• Develop communication content

• Own process release management – training, rolling out, and publishing standard work processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Engineering Degree from an accredited university/college
• Well-versed in different Project Management Methods
• 5 years or more in Project Management (relevant co-op or internship experience will be considered)
• Knowledgeable of product creation and launch process – has a firm understanding of the interrelated activities required to execute a new product development project

Desired Qualifications

• PMI certification or equivalent; familiarity with modern project management techniques (Agile) and software such as Smartsheets
• Change Management Certification is a plus
• 5 years or more in Product Development or Process Development
• 3 years of NPD experience in an LPPD environment
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 suite and managing a SharePoint site
• Effective problem solving and facilitation skills

Education

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.