Project Manager - NPD

You will be joining our innovative Wabtec Bus Solutions division, a team dedicated to developing, selling, and servicing leading systems for the Transit Bus & Rail industries including eBus charging systems, innovative passenger door systems, access ramps, and wheelchair lifts. Our group combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of product requirements to deliver industry-leading solutions, lasting value to our customers, and cutting-edge technologies that shape the future of public transit.

About the role

As a member of the Wabtec Bus Solutions division, you will lead the successful delivery of complex, multi-year new product development projects and large customized customer design projects from “cradle to grave.” You will oversee cross-functional teams to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards, while serving as the central point of coordination and communication for all project stakeholders. Reporting to the Director of Engineering with a dotted line to the Vice President Sales – North America, you will contribute significantly to driving innovation in the transportation industry.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects from clean sheet through implementation and aftercare.
• Coordinate the efforts of cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, sales, quality, finance, and other supporting departments, potentially international.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including detailed timelines, resource allocations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate regular project status meetings to monitor progress, identify and resolve issues, and communicate updates to stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Develop and manage project budgets to ensure projects remain on target.
• Identify and escalate project risks and roadblocks, proposing solutions to keep on track.
• Maintain change management processes to address scope changes and new requirements.
• Identify lessons learned and best practices to continuously improve project delivery.
• Execute and assist in improvement of APQP and R&D/NPD process.
• Guide via expertise in the engineering and manufacturing arenas.
• Present to outside customers and all levels of the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (ABET accredited).
• Master's degree, PMP, or equivalent project management certification is a plus.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in project management, engineering, and manufacturing.
• Proven track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and meeting quality targets.
• Well-versed in effective use of PM tools including Scopes, Work Breakdown Structures, Timelines, Budgets, Risk Matrices, Organization Charts/RACI’s, Presentations.
• Strong detailed planning, tracking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective leadership with the ability to motivate and coordinate cross-functional groups.
• Strong working knowledge of NPD Stage Gate and related tools/standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Project or Smartsheet, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Customer Orientation: Identifies internal/external customer needs, makes suitable proposals, monitors customer satisfaction, and provides clear communication.
• Group Leadership: Demonstrates proactive guidance, fosters inclusive decision-making, encourages collective responsibility, and promotes team communication.
• Planning and Organizing: Plans work effectively, sets priorities, communicates plans, and prepares for potential issues.
• Delegation: Delegates tasks appropriately, provides decision-making authority, and allows freedom in task execution.
• Management Control: Monitors project progress, reports on it, and anticipates disruptions.
• Results Orientation: Sets ambitious goals independently, delivers results better or sooner than expected, and makes proposals for more efficient or effective methods.
• Initiative: Acts independently, is proactive in producing proposals and ideas, and takes on tasks without being asked.
• Oral Communication: Delivers clear and logical messages, demonstrates effective questioning and answering skills, and aligns verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Written Communication: Writes concise, reader-focused communications using examples, metaphors, and illustrations to clarify.
• Adaptability: Adjusts activities and behavior independently when changes are necessary, responds effectively to unexpected issues, and adapts plans as needed.
• Judgement: Ensures in-depth understanding of situations, separates relevant information, evaluates solutions, and makes fact-based decisions.
• Integrity: Takes personal responsibility, is honest about opportunities and risks, keeps promises, and informs others frankly about issues.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based work at Buffalo Grove office.
• Use a computer for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift/move up to twenty-five pounds.
• Stand, walk, and navigate facilities.
• Occasional travel (15%) to customers’ and manufacturing sites.

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary. Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met.

Pay

The salary rate for this role is currently $91,100–$129,800. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands, and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Benefits

Offered benefits include health, welfare, and retirement plans. More information is available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include an annual bonus, if eligible.