Project Leader - New Product Development (Outdoor Power Equipment)

About the role

The Project Leader is accountable for the successful cross-functional delivery of moderate to high-complexity new product development (NPD) programs for outdoor power equipment (OPE). As the primary integrator, the role aligns the team on product requirements and strategy, owns the integrated program plan and closes gaps on performance, cost, quality and schedule. It leads through influence, escalates unresolved issues and provides data-driven recommendations to leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Own the coordinated delivery of technical and business objectives, driving convergence of performance, features, cost, schedule, quality and risk trade-offs.
• Own the integrated project schedule, critical path, milestones and risk management, including mitigation, contingency planning and escalation of constraints.
• Own product cost, tooling, capital and project spending, and close gaps to performance, reliability, regulatory, quality, manufacturability, supplier readiness and launch targets.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Sourcing, Supply Chain and suppliers to set specifications and ensure scalable, sustainable production and a successful ramp-up.
• Provide candid, outcome-focused executive updates, build trust, resolve conflict and coach project team members.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline or closely related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years, preferred 8 years of engineering, product development, manufacturing or technical project leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional product development projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Ability to influence across functions and communicate with senior leadership.

Required skills

• Integrated scheduling, risk management, product costing, technical trade-offs and launch execution.
• Working knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, product validation and supplier development.
• Preferred: experience with outdoor power equipment, power tools, consumer products, batteries/chargers or electromechanical systems; global NPD programs through concept, design, validation, certification, tooling, pilot and launch; DFMEA, DVP&R, DFM/DFA, PPAP, cost modeling and project scheduling tools.

Travel of up to 15% (international and domestic).