Senior NPI Program Launch Manager

The Senior NPI Program Launch Manager provides strategic leadership and oversight of complex, high-value tooling, manufacturing, and new product introduction (NPI) programs from concept through full-scale production within the medical injection molding division. This role ensures programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with all customer, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Acting as a key business partner, the Senior Manager drives cross-functional alignment, customer satisfaction, operational readiness, and continuous improvement across all manufacturing sites. In addition, this role mentors junior and mid-level program managers, refines NPI processes, and partners with executive leadership to establish best-in-class launch systems.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership

• Lead the full lifecycle of major manufacturing and NPI programs, including planning, risk management, execution, and closure.
• Define project scope, objectives, resources, and budgets to align with business strategy.
• Develop and oversee program budgets, forecasts, KPIs, and financial performance reporting.
• Track progress, manage risks, and ensure programs meet customer, cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Drive program governance through structured reviews, milestone management, and executive reporting.
• Oversee site-to-site program transfers, ensuring smooth relocation of tooling, processes, and documentation.
• Champion early feasibility, DFM/DFMEA reviews, technical risk mitigation, and manufacturability planning.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Direct cross-functional teams in Engineering, Tooling, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production.
• Resolve conflicts, remove roadblocks, and maintain alignment between operations, quality, and customer requirements.
• Lead make/buy decisions and manage global tooling design, build, and validation activities.
• Oversee prototype development, tool builds, validation, and process capability readiness.
• Support site readiness planning, capacity alignment, and global launch synchronization.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-value customer programs.
• Conduct executive-level customer meetings, design reviews, and status updates.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships as a trusted technical and strategic partner.
• Partner with Sales, Quality, and Operations to ensure program profitability, delivery, and performance metrics.

Process Improvement & Mentorship

• Develop and deploy standardized program management and NPI processes, templates, and governance tools.
• Lead lessons-learned reviews, CAPA initiatives, and strategic continuous improvement projects.
• Coach and mentor Junior and Mid-level NPI / Program Managers.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence initiatives across sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline; MBA or PMP preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience leading complex NPI or program management initiatives in medical device, automotive, or advanced manufacturing.
• Proven record of leading cross-functional teams and managing multi-million-dollar program portfolios.
• Deep technical understanding of injection molding, tooling, validation, and regulatory compliance processes.
• Strong business acumen, financial management, and strategic thinking skills.
• Advanced proficiency in project management software (Smartsheet, MS Project) and ERP systems (IQMS, Epicor, or equivalent).

Core Competencies & Traits

• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution ability.
• Strong technical and manufacturing acumen.
• Customer advocate and trusted relationship builder.
• Mentorship and team development skills.
• Continuous improvement and systems-thinking mindset.
• Excellent communicator, problem-solver, and resilient under high-stakes, complex programs.