NPD Senior Project Manager

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About the Role

This is a high-level role critical in driving the successful design, development, and launch of new products from concept through production. The ideal candidate brings deep engineering knowledge, strong project management experience, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams within a manufacturing environment. Experience in wastewater treatment technologies and plastic component manufacturing is highly preferred. The Project Manager will oversee product development initiatives and coordinate cross-company activities essential for the successful commercialization of new products. With the company entering an exciting growth phase, this position will play a key role in accelerating strategic expansion efforts.

This position is based at Orenco, an Infiltrator/ADS business unit, located in Sutherlin, Oregon. For over 40 years, Orenco has been an industry leader in advanced wastewater treatment solutions for residential and commercial applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support new product development projects from concept through production launch, ensuring alignment with cost, quality, and schedule targets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and product management.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project schedules, risk registers, project budgets, capital, and technical documentation.
• Participate and moderate design reviews, DFMEA/PFMEA activities, and validation and verification testing.
• Coordinate prototype builds and support pilot-production runs.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues throughout the product lifecycle.
• Ensure new products meet industry standards, customer requirements, and internal design/quality processes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and incorporate lessons learned into future project planning.
• Promote, encourage, and reinforce a positive safety culture, safe practices, and a safe work environment for all employees.
• Identify and synthesize market research to define customer needs and guide product development strategy.
• Facilitate collaboration across cross-functional teams throughout the entire product lifecycle—from ideation through production release.
• Support brainstorming sessions, define features and benefits, and assist in generating product specification documents.
• Work closely with engineering teams on early-stage R&D activities.
• Serve as the Voice of the Customer in all product development discussions.
• Collaborate with IWT & Orenco Engineering and Manufacturing teams to conceptualize new product ideas.
• Facilitate product testing throughout the design phase to identify and address potential issues.
• Assure delivery of detailed product specifications, documentation, and SOPs to manufacturing for production release.
• Analyze existing products to identify improvement opportunities and support documentation updates.
• Regular, consistent, and predictable attendance is required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in product development and project management; PMP certification is a plus.
• Experience in industry-specific product development is advantageous.
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes and quality control methodologies.
• Experience in providing oral and written project reports and formal documentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; good executive presence.
• Strong creativity, critical thinking, risk management, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience collaborating with engineers, technicians, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, planning & scheduling tools, and the preparation of technical reports and presentations.
• A strong team player who collaborates effectively with diverse technical and operational groups.
• Technically inclined with strong attention to detail.
• Adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Strong leadership presence and ability to influence cross-functional decision-making.
• Ability to be flexible and change priorities with little notice.
• Ability to use sound judgement and follow through in problem-solving and decision-making processes.
• Must be willing and able to travel and comply with current travel regulations and guidelines of airlines and destination locations.
• Must be able to meet and maintain Orenco's approved driver criteria: a valid driver's license, satisfactory driving record, current insurance on personal vehicle, and meet company insurability requirements.

Working Conditions

Primarily indoor office environment and may include limited time in production areas. Travel requirements may include operation of a motor vehicle, airplane travel, and overnight stays in temporary lodging. May require the ability to visit project sites situated on a variety of developed and undeveloped terrain/locations. Includes exposure to outside weather conditions and occasional exposure to dust, other outside elements, and wastewater that may require the proper use of personal protective equipment including but not limited to gloves.

Work is typically done during manufacturing business hours; however, this position may occasionally work outside business hours to support department and business needs. Occasionally long hours may be required.

Physical Requirements

• Regular job duties include seeing, speaking, hearing, reading, writing, legible handwriting, and keyboarding.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, including extended time viewing a computer screen.
• Intermittent physical activity includes but is not limited to touching, holding, grasping, pushing, pulling, reaching above shoulders and below knees, low back bending, twisting, turning, kneeling, crawling, stooping, squatting, standing, walking, and climbing stairs and ladders.
• Unassisted light lifting and/or carrying of under 20 lbs. is required.
• Occasional unassisted lifting and/or carrying of up to 50 lbs.; lifting and/or carrying over 50 lbs. must be assisted.
• Operation of a motor vehicle and/or airplane travel may be required.