Project Manager

Project Manager, New Product Development (NPD)

Location: Alpharetta, GA
Schedule: Hybrid
Travel: Approximately 35%, including international travel

MW Talent is seeking a Project Manager with hands-on experience leading new product development from initial concept through manufacturing, mass production, and market launch.This newly created role requires someone who takes ownership, anticipates challenges, and drives projects forward with minimal direction. You will help establish project management processes while working with North American and international teams.

Key Responsibilities:

" Own the full product development lifecycle, including concept, design, prototyping, testing, production readiness, and commercialization.
" Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, milestones, resources, and deliverables.
" Lead collaboration across Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, Operations, Marketing, Purchasing, Quality, and Supply Chain.
" Develop project plans, identify critical activities, and drive accountability across departments.
" Lead stage-gate reviews and coordinate engineering reviews, prototype evaluations, testing, and validation.
" Identify technical, scheduling, and resource risks and implement solutions.
" Manage project changes and communicate progress, decisions, and priorities to stakeholders.
" Coordinate with international teams across cultures and time zones.
" Support manufacturing implementation, launch documentation, and market introduction.
" Improve project management tools, templates, reporting, and development processes.

Required Qualifications:

" Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Product Development, Business, Project Management, Industrial Design, or a related field.
" At least five years of project management experience specifically in new product development.
" Demonstrated ownership of physical product development projects from concept through manufacturing and launch.
" Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, stage-gate methodology, and product development lifecycles.
" Experience managing project budgets, timelines, resources, and risks.
" Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence decisions without direct authority.
" Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
" Ability to manage multiple projects and work independently.
" Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools.
" Willingness to travel approximately 35%, including internationally.

Preferred Qualifications:

" Technical or engineering background with practical knowledge of product development and manufacturing.
" Experience with manufactured finished goods, particularly plumbing, kitchen and bath, building materials, or related consumer products.
" Experience collaborating with global teams.
" Familiarity with SAP, PLM systems, or similar product lifecycle management software.
" PMP, CAPM, Agile, or equivalent project management certification.